Paul and Jody Townend claim jockey titles at Punchestown Festival

The curtain came down on the Irish National Hunt season on the final day of the Punchestown Festival on Saturday. 

Lisgoold jockey Paul Townend didn't enjoy the best of starts to the Punchestown Festival but as we know form is temporary and class is permanent. Townend bounced back in no uncertain fashion landing a host of big races including the two marquee Grade Ones. 

He was crowned Irish Champion Jockey for the seventh time and also landed the featured race with Jade De Grugy, an impressive winner of the SBK Grade One Mares Champion Hurdle. 

His sister Jody was crowned Champion Amateur after an unforgettable season. 

Cork owners Joe and Marie Donnelly have enjoyed a terrific week and their horse Lulamba landed the other Grade One, reversing Triumph Hurdle form with Poniros in the Ballymore 4Y0 Champion Hurdle. Hey Sunshine sealed a superb afternoon for Willie Mullins and Townend when producing a gutsy display to land the valuable Listed Lawlor's Of Naas Handicap Hurdle. 

Jade De Grugy justified strong market support under Townend. She'd been put in as 3/1 second favourite overnight behind Gordon Elliott’s Brighterdaysahead. 

But punters got stuck into the Kenny Alexander-owned mare and she was backed into evens after heavy and sustained support. She was ridden patiently early on by Paul Townend as the race developed into a match between the old rivals who'd clashed at Cheltenham last season.

KICKED ON

Townend kicked for touch at this juncture taking a few lengths out of Brighterdaysahead. She was electric at the last stretching clear to win by six and-a half lengths. 

All six champions for the 2024/2025 National Hunt season were confirmed after. 

Tiernan Power Roche joined Frank Berry who represented JP McManus alongside Willie Mullins, Paul and Jody Townend and Patrick Mullins on the victory podium. 

Commenting on his seventh jockey championship, Townend said: "I’ve had a wonderful season all thanks to the brilliant team around me – Willie Mullins, all the fantastic owners I’ve ridden for and the entire team at Closutton. 

My family and friends give me great support too which is always appreciated. 

"Riding Grade 1 winners in Ireland on such good horses is a privilege but my stand-out moments have to Galopin Des Champs performances at Dublin Racing Festival and at Punchestown this week and the reception he received from the racegoers. The connection racing fans have with him is very special to witness." 

This season’s champion female amateur Jody Townend commented: "I’m thrilled to win the title for the fifth time. Without doubt Bambino Fever’s win at Dublin Racing Festival, Cheltenham and this week at Punchestown was pure magic. 

"I’m very lucky to be riding for Willie Mullins and all the opportunities he gives me along with his fantastic bunch of owners. Every day is a school day in Closutton and the team there give me brilliant support and advice as does my dad, my brother Paul and sister Caroline.” 

Champion conditional jockey Tiernan Power Roche edged out Glanworth jockey John Shinnick.