Punchestown welcomes KPMG as new Grade One sponsor

With Ireland’s flagship jumps racing festival just seven days away, Punchestown Racecourse have today announced a major three-year sponsorship deal with global professional services firm KPMG.

The newly titled €125,000 Grade One KPMG Champion Novice Hurdle takes place on the opening day of the sporting highlight, Tuesday 25th April, and will raise the curtain for no less than twelve Grade One contests across the five-day programme.

The 2023 renewal of the two-mile championship race has received a top-quality field of 19 entries featuring Cheltenham Festival hero Marine Nationale in pursuit of a third Grade One triumph this season. Barry Connell’s star is unbeaten in five runs, only beginning his career at Punchestown in May of last year.

The first five from the Supreme Novices' at Cheltenham have entries in the KPMG-sponsored Punchestown equivalent with Facile Vega, Diverge, Il Etait Temps and Hunters Yarn part of a strong Willie Mullins contingent that also includes Ballymore one-two Impaire Et Passe and Gaelic Warrior.

Gordon Elliott has five entries – American Mike, Amir Kabir, Doctor Bravo, Found A Fifty and Irish Point – while Joseph O’Brien’s High Definition is another interesting possibility. Inthepocket finished fourth in the Supreme Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham last month and is one of three entries for Henry de Bromhead along with Magical Zoe and the talented Arctic Bresil.

KPMG is no stranger to the jump racing scene since teaming up with the all-conquering Rachael Blackmore as brand ambassador in 2021. This deal builds on KPMG’s role as a partner of the 20x20 initiative to help elevate women’s sport, with that commitment already including ongoing sponsorships of Irish golfer Leona Maguire and the Dublin Ladies Gaelic football team.

Speaking at the announcement of KPMG’s support for the Punchestown Festival, Managing Partner Seamus Hand said: “Today’s announcement is a extension of KPMG’s support for Irish sport and homegrown talent. We are proud to have Rachael Blackmore as our brand ambassador and it’s inspirational for many to see her and other Irish athletes compete and win on racing’s biggest stages. We look forward to the return to Punchestown for the grand finale of the season, and we are delighted to be part of this occasion”.

Punchestown Racecourse’s Janet Creighton welcomed KPMG to the impressive sponsorship panel and said: “We are delighted to welcome this announcement of what is now the KPMG Champion Novice Hurdle. This race boasts an all-star line-up of previous winners including Hurricane Fly, Faugheen and Jezki who all went on to achieve great things - it truly is a key indicator for excellence. We appreciate that KPMG consider and curate the events and individuals that they choose to support. That translates as commitment to building relationships which is an approach that we share, so we really look forward to working alongside the KPMG team over the next three years and beyond”.

The 2023 Punchestown Festival takes place from Tuesday 25th to Saturday 29th April. A programme of 40 races and a prize fund of over €3.3 million attracts the best of Irish and British racing talent. For full information on one of Ireland’s favourite sporting, social and corporate hospitality events please visit www.punchestown.com

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