Horse Racing maintained it’s high political profile yesterday when Taoiseach Enda Kenny made an appearance at Punchestown for the third day of the five day National Hunt Festival.
When attending the Boylesports Irish Grand National ten days ago he said that “It (racing) is a very important element of what we are as a nation and a crucial part of how we are seen by others in the world.”
Attendance over the first three days has been on a par with last year. Tuesday set a new first day record before a slight dip in the rain on Wednesday and Thursday.
Today is the highlight for many when Cheltenham Champion Hurdlers Jezki and Hurricane Fly go head to head in the Racing Post sponsored Champion Hurdle. A forecast of dry, warm weather for Saturday means the track remains on target for an aggregate attendance of more than 100,000.
Senator Eamon Coughlan was also at the track yesterday to launch the 2014 Jog for Jockeys Challenge where peole are invited to enter a 5K or 10K fun run around the Curragh Racecourse on 24th August raising funds for the Injured Jockeys Funds. You can find out more about the fun run and register here.
