WILLIE MULLINS SET a new record for winners at the Punchestown Festival this week, as 15 of his horses claimed victory.
In a show of utter dominance, Mullins had no less than 10 Grade One winners among those 15 successes.
The 2015 edition of Punchestown ended today, with punters braving the poor weather to bring the week’s total attendance to just under 100,000.
Those present at the Naas racecourse were treated to a big Mullins win in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Mares Champion Hurdle, as Annie Power made amends for a fall during the Mares’ Hurdle at Cheltenham by easing home.
Ridden by Ruby Walsh, Annie Power beat off Mullins stablemate Analifet in the process.
Today’s crowd of 16,802 was unsurprisingly down on last year’s 29,042 after heavy rainfall, while the overall attendance dropped from 106,689 in 2014 to 99,729 this year.
I am absolutely delighted with the week, the racing was regarded by all as an amazing showcase of the best of a golden generation of Irish National Hunt Racing,” said Punchestown’s general manager, Dick O’Sullivan.
“Congratulations to all the championship winners especially our festival sponsor, Michael O’Leary who was the overall winning owner for the season. I have a tremendous, enthusiastic team here that are so motivated, they did an amazing job despite the very difficult weather conditions on both Wednesday and in particular today.
“Needless to say the planning and organising for the 2016 Punchestown Festival will begin next week and we look forward to seeing you all back at Punchestown again next year.”
Mullins had winners in the Champion Steeplechase on Tuesday [Felix Young], Champion Hurdle yesterday [Faugheen], and today’s Champion Four Year Old Hurdle.
The final of that trio of big wins came courtesy of Petite Parisienne, who ran out winner over the Mullins-trained Buiseness Sivola for a €60,000 prize.
