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GAA Rounders: Full Weekend Fixtures Preview

*Rounders Championship Previews & Fixtures – Sunday, 11th May 2025*

The second weekend of the 2025 GAA Rounders Championship — and the opening round of the senior championships — brings a packed slate of high-stakes fixtures across the country. With promotion hopefuls, former finalists, and early-season form all colliding, Sunday could prove pivotal. And for most teams in action, it’s only week one.

All eyes will be on heavy-hitters like Limekiln vs Breaffy in both the Senior Men’s and Mixed grades, as the two All-Ireland finalists renew their rivalry. Erne Eagles vs Cuchulainn promises to be a crucial clash across three codes, with last year’s tight margins fresh in the memory. Elsewhere, newcomers Kilmeena face a baptism of fire away to The Heath in Senior Mixed, while the all-Galway Intermediate Mixed derby between Galway City Rapparees and Athenry could be a historic first.

INTERMEDIATE LADIES

Kilmeena vs St Clare’s
Venue: Heath
Time: 1.30pm
Kilmeena were promoted to Intermediate Ladies for 2025, but started with a disappointing 9–10 defeat to Michael Glaveys. A second loss would seriously dent their semi-final hopes. St Clare’s, losing semi-finalists in 2024, are considered one of the early favourites — and will expect to take care of business here.

INTERMEDIATE MEN

Kilmeena vs St Clare’s
Venue: The Heath
Time: 11:30am
They met in 2024’s Intermediate Men’s Championship — where Kilmeena emerged 11–6 winners. With St Clare’s coming off a 2024 semi-final appearance, this game could tilt the balance of the group for either side. All-Star Tommy Hoban will need to be in on top form for the Mayo side if they are to start the season off with a win.

Galway City Rapparees vs Dublin Metropolitans
Venue: Galway
Time: 1.30pm
The Rapparees, 2023 finalists, endured a miserable 2024 and are desperate to bounce back. Dublin Mets, promoted as Junior Men’s champions, made a major statement with a last-gasp win away to Emo last time out. With Ryan Dennis and Jack Cheyne set to battle it out on the mound, this is one of the most exciting pitching duels at intermediate level of the weekend — and potentially a decider for a semi-final spot down the line.

INTERMEDIATE MIXED

Galway City Rapparees vs Athenry
Venue: Galway
Time: 3.15pm
The first all-Galway Rounders Championship clash in the history of rounders, and with local pride on the line, it’s shaping up to be a huge day for both clubs.

Galway City Rapparees were one of only a couple of unbeaten teams across all grades last season. They capped off a perfect 2024 campaign by winning the Junior Mixed final and earning promotion — but despite that, they enter 2025 as underdogs in a fiercely competitive Intermediate division. With momentum on their side, they’ll be hoping to extend their winning streak and make an early statement.

Athenry, meanwhile, had two wins last season and know they’ll need to be sharper if they want to push for a semi-final place this year. They’ll be wary of a fired-up Rapparees squad with a point to prove and home support behind them. Expect a passionate and tight encounter in what could become one of the league’s newest rivalries.

SENIOR LADIES

Erne Eagles vs Cuchulainn
Venue: Erne
Time: 11:30am
Two of last year’s top contenders collide in what could be an early decider for a semi-final place.

Cuchulainn looked destined for the 2024 final before a late-on fightback from Breaffy to snatch victory. Erne Eagles also bowed out at the semi-final stage — but it was this exact fixture where they prevailed in a pulsating 24–21 shootout. That game was one of the matches of the season and both sides will be desperate to lay down a marker early in 2025.

With the strength of this year’s Senior Ladies division, neither team can afford to lose ground. The winner here could already have one foot in the knockout stages.

SENIOR MEN

Erne Eagles vs Cuchulainn
Venue: Erne
Time: 2:30
Erne Eagles are the hot favourites to retain their Senior Men’s crown and begin their 2025 campaign at home to Cuchulainn — a side they comfortably defeated 22–5 last season.

While Cuchulainn did secure two wins in 2024 and have their sights set on a top-four finish, this fixture represents a huge step up. It’s a valuable early test of how much they’ve progressed, but they’ll need to be at their very best — and then some — to cause an upset here. Anything other than an Erne win would send shockwaves through the championship.

Carrickmacross Emmets vs Glynn Barntown
Venue: Carrickmacross
Time:
The rivalry continues as Glynn Barntown return to face a Carrickmacross Emmets side that handed them a humbling 20–2 defeat in 2024. Barntown will be out for blood this time around, and there’s every chance this could be a far tighter contest than last year’s one-sided affair.

Carrickmacross had a mixed league campaign but really put it up to Erne Eagles in the semi-final. They will be hoping for victory — but don’t be shocked if we see a much tighter match this season.

Limekiln vs Breaffy
Venue: Limekiln
Time: 2pm
This is a repeat of the 2024 semi-final, which Breaffy won before losing the final — and it’s another chance for Breaffy to get one over on Limekiln. Their league clash last season finished 13–12, and expect this one to be just as close, with a draw not being ruled out.

Both clubs are stacked with All-Star talent, and this should be a physical, high-skill contest.

SENIOR MIXED

Erne Eagles vs Cuchulainn
Venue: Erne
Time: 1pm
This game in 2024 decided Cuchulainn’s fate of not making the semi-finals. They narrowly lost 5–7. Last season’s semi-finalist Erne Eagles will be looking to go at least one better — but don’t be surprised if this is as close as 2024. Cuchulainn have the tools to compete but must be near-perfect to pull off a result.

Carrickmacross Emmets vs Glynn Barntown
Venue: Carrickmacross
Time: TBC
Glynn Barntown have added a few players which should move them to favourites. Carrick easily beat them in 2024 (23–7)

If Glynn can come away with a victory here, every team in the division will be afraid of them. But if Carrick win, it should set them up for at least a semi-final place in 2025. It will confirm the readiness of both sides for the top four places.

Limekiln vs Breaffy
Venue: Limekiln
Time: 12.30pm
Another rematch of the 2024 final — and another chance for Limekiln to finally get one over on Breaffy. Both clubs are stacked with All-Star talent, and this should be a physical, high-skill contest.

If you like top-class bowling, Michelle Hopkins vs Chris Hughes in this one will be epic. Home advantage might swing it Limekiln’s way, but Breaffy won’t be in any mood to start off their title defence with a loss to their biggest rival in the division.

The Heath vs Kilmeena
Venue: The Heath
Time: 3pm
Kilmeena’s promotion to Senior Mixed is a major milestone — but their debut match is a tough one. They are back-to-back champions in the Junior and Intermediate grades and will be the Wrexham of Rounders if they can win three in a row.

The Heath are title contenders, having taken a year out in 2024 after a tough championship in 2023 which ended in All-Ireland victory. A close game is possible, but the hosts are clear favourites to show they are back with a bang in the Senior Mixed Championship.

List of upcoming Live and streamed GAA coverage on TG4 and TG4.ie

Expect no quarter asked and no quarter given as Galway and Kerry do battle again on Sunday. Photo credit: Shane Tighe

List of upcoming Live and streamed GAA coverage on TG4 and TG4.ie we have a full list of events on the Irish station.
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Live GAA Matches on TV

🏐 Saturday, 14 June

All-Ireland SFC Round 3

  • Armagh v Galway – Kingspan Breffni, 6.30pm – GAA+
  • Dublin v Derry – Páirc Esler, 6.30pm – GAA+
  • Roscommon v Cork – Laois Hire O’Moore Park, 4.15pm – GAA+
  • Kerry v Meath – Glenisk O’Connor Park, 4.15pm

All-Ireland SHC Preliminary Quarter-Finals

  • Kildare v Dublin – Cedral St Conleth’s Park, 4pm
  • Laois v Tipperary – Laois Hire O’Moore Park, 1.45pm – GAA+

Tailteann Cup Quarter-Finals

  • Kildare v Offaly – Cedral St Conleth’s Park, 6.30pm
  • Fermanagh v Sligo – Brewster Park, 5pm

All-Ireland JFC Quarter-Final

  • New York v US GAA – Gaelic Park, 10pm (5pm NY time)

Ladies All-Ireland SFC

  • Cork v Kerry – SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh, 3pm – TG4
  • Donegal v Galway – Lifford, 2pm – TG4 YouTube
  • Dublin v Leitrim – Parnell Park, 2pm – TG4 YouTube
  • Kildare v Meath – Hawkfield CoE, 12.45pm – TG4

All-Ireland MHC Semi-Final

  • Waterford v Kilkenny – Chadwicks Wexford Park, 7.35pm – TG4

🏐 Sunday, 15 June

All-Ireland SFC Round 3

  • Tyrone v Cavan – Brewster Park, 4pm
  • Donegal v Mayo – Dr Hyde Park, 4pm – RTÉ
  • Monaghan v Down – BOX-It Athletic Grounds, 2pm – RTÉ
  • Louth v Clare – Laois Hire O’Moore Park, 2pm

Tailteann Cup Quarter-Finals

  • Limerick v Wexford – TUS Gaelic Grounds, 3.45pm – GAA+
  • Wicklow v Westmeath – Aughrim, 1.15pm – GAA+

All-Ireland MHC Semi-Final

  • Cork v Clare – FBD Semple Stadium, 1pm – TG4

📅 Saturday 21 & Sunday 22 June

All-Ireland SFC Preliminary Quarter-Finals

Fixtures TBC

Tailteann Cup Semi-Finals

Fixtures TBC

All-Ireland SHC Quarter-Finals

  • Galway v Tipperary OR LaoisVenue & Time TBC
  • Limerick v Dublin OR KildareVenue & Time TBC

All-Ireland MFC Semi-Finals

  • Tyrone v RoscommonVenue & Time TBC
  • Kerry v MayoVenue & Time TBC

📅 Saturday 28 June

All-Ireland SFC Quarter-Finals

Fixtures TBC

All-Ireland MHC Final

Cork OR Clare v Kilkenny OR WaterfordVenue & Time TBC

📅 Sunday 29 June

All-Ireland SFC Quarter-Finals

Fixtures TBC

📅 Saturday 5 July

All-Ireland SHC Semi-Final

Cork v TBC – Croke Park, Time TBC

All-Ireland MFC Final

Tyrone OR Roscommon v Kerry OR MayoVenue & Time TBC

📅 Sunday 6 July

All-Ireland SHC Semi-Final

Kilkenny v TBC – Croke Park, Time TBC

📅 Saturday 12 July

All-Ireland SFC Semi-Final

TBC v TBC – Croke Park, Time TBC

Tailteann Cup Final

TBC v TBC – Croke Park, Time TBC

📅 Sunday 13 July

All-Ireland SFC Semi-Final

TBC v TBC – Croke Park, Time TBC

All-Ireland JFC Final

TBC v TBC – Croke Park, Time TBC

📅 Sunday 20 July

All-Ireland SHC Final

TBC v TBC – Croke Park, 3.30pm

📅 Sunday 27 July

All-Ireland SFC Final

TBC v TBC – Croke Park, 3.30pm

Los Angeles wins Coolmore Irish EBF Mooresbridge Stakes on seasonal return

Los Angeles won the Group 2 Coolmore Irish EBF Mooresbridge Stakes at The Curragh on Monday. Credit: Breandán Ó hUallacháin.

Los Angeles (10/11 favourite) won the Group 2 Coolmore Stud City Of Troy Irish EBF Mooresbridge Stakes at The Curragh this afternoon.

Last season’s Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby winner was making his 2025 return to the track under Ryan Moore.

Running over one mile and two furlongs, the Aidan O’Brien-trained four-year-old son of Camelot held off the late challenge of the 2024 Mooresbridge Stakes winner White Birch.

The runner-up was returning to the track for the first time since beating Auguste Rodin here last May.

Officer wins Tetrarch Stakes

The Coolmore Stud Henry Longfellow Irish EBF Tetrarch Stakes went to Officer, trained by Aidan O’Brien at Ballydoyle.

By Dubawi out of Hydrangea, the Ryan Moore-ridden colt was a previous seven furlong winner on good ground. He had finished third to Big Gossey on his most recent visit to The Curragh in March.

Wins for O’Brien brothers

O’Brien’s sons, Joseph and Donnacha, both visited the winner’s enclosure this afternoon.

The Group 3 Coolmore Stud Auguste Rodin Irish EBF Athasi Stakes was won by Atsila (11/1) for Gavin Ryan and Donnacha O’Brien.

Al Shaqab’s Andab (8/1) took the Irish EBF Median Sires Series Maiden for Joseph O’Brien and Dylan Browne McMonagle.

First Stakes win for Tally Ho’s Starman

Lady Iman (4/7 favourite) claimed the Holden Plant Hire First Flier Stakes in impressive fashion for Colin Keane, Ger Lyons and the O’Callaghans of Tally Ho Stud. This was a first Stakes winner for Tally Ho Stud’s sire Starman.

The Coolmore partners-owned debutant True Love, a full-sister to Truly Enchanting, was runner-up, one and a quarter lengths behind the winner.

Murkala (7/2 joint-favourite) took the Keadeen Hotel Irish EBF (Fillies) Handicap for trainer Johnny Murtagh. In the colours of the late H H Aga Khan, three year-old filly, ridden by Rory Mulligan, was a one length winner over the Aidan O’Brien-trained Sweet Chariot.

Jockey Wayne Hassett and trainer Pat Murphy teamed up for a winner with Free Solo (10/1) in the P G Duffy & Sons Citroen Apprentice Handicap.

The concluding The Treacy Group Supporting Newbridge Parishes Day Handicap went to 50/1 chance Prime Sign, in the hands of Billy Lee, for conditioner Andy Oliver.

 

Grade 1s for Mullins and Henderson at Punchestown on Saturday

Jade De Grugy with Paul Townend aboard, gave Willie Mullins another Grade 1. Credit: Breandán Ó hUallacháin.
The final day of the 2025 Punchestown Festival saw more success for Willie Mullins and Paul Townend.
The Closutton team won the Grade 1 SBK Irish EBF Mares Champion Hurdle with the evens favourite Jade De Grugy. Just for good measure, Mullins also handled the runner-up Gala Marceau (12/1), with Danny Mullins in the saddle.
Cheltenham Triumph Hurdle form was overturned in the final Grade 1 contest of the jumps season when Lulamba (11/10 favourite) beat Poniros (7/2) by four lengths.
The latter won the Triumph in March but had to give way to the Nicky Henderson-handled James Bowen-ridden favourite this time.
Vital Island wins Ladies Cup
Vital Island (9/2) and Barry Stone took the opening Howden Cross Country Chase. Trained by Richie O’Keeffe, it was a second winner at this year’s Punchestown Festival for the County Wexford-based handler who claimed the Kildare Hunt Club Chase for the Ladies Cup on Tuesday with Transcript. Both winners carried O’Keeffe’s won colours.

Danny Mullins gave his uncle, Willie, another winner at this week’s festival when guiding Shanbally Kid (15/2 joint-favourite) to success in the Oaklodgelandscapes.ie Handicap Chase, in the colours of owners Gigginstown House Stud.

Harry Bannister gave the English visitors a final-day winner when Bill Baxter (12/1) won the Palmerstown House Pat Taaffe Handicap Chase.

Trained by Warren Greatrex, the grey nine-year-old son of Milan was bred in Ireland by Mary Fanning McCormack.

 

State Man wins his third Boodles Champion Hurdle at Punchestown

State Man and Paul Townend win the 2025 Boodles Champion Hurdle at Punchestown. Credit: Breandán Ó hUallacháin.

State Man (9/4) won the Boodles Champion Hurdle at Punchestown for a third time on Friday evening.

Carrying the colours of Joe and Marie Donnelly, the Paul Townend-ridden winner came home to loud cheers from the packed stands at the Co Kildare venue.

Prior to the Grade 1 contest, the presence of former champion hurdler Constitution Hill (8/13 favourite) added spice to the race, and the reigning Cheltenham Champion Hurdler of 2025 Golden Ace was also in the six-runner field.

Paul Townend set out in front on the son of Doctor Dino and dictated the fractions throughout the two-mile contest.

With Golden Ace (14/1) and Lorcan William, and Kargese (15/2) and Danny Mullins tracking the leader, eyes turned to Constitution Hill as his rider James Bowen asked for an effort before two hurdles out.

With State Man increasing the tempo, and ultimately his lead, the Nicky Henderson-trained Constitution Hill soon looked in trouble and began to fade.

Townend and State Man were lengths clear heading to the final hurdle, with their only serious danger in front of them.

The Closutton inmate was given time to jump the final flight, and eventually ran out a four and three-quarter length winner over the mare Golden Ace, trained by Jeremy Scott.

 

State Man’s stable mate, Kargese, with Danny Mullins aboard, was next home, a length and a quarter behind the runner-up.

Ian Donoghue’s Break My Soul (125/1) was fourth, 18 lengths behind Kargese, with another three and a quarter lengths further back to race favourite Constitution Hill.

State Man stars on Friday at Punchestown

Winning connection of State Man after his success in the Grade 1 Boodles Champion Hurdle at Punchestown this afternoon. Credit: Breandán Ó hUallacháin.

State Man (9/4) won the Friday highlight at the Punchestown Festival, the Boodles Champion Hurdle.

In the hand of Paul Townend, the Willie Mullins-handled eight-year-old won the contest for the third year in-a-row.

Final Demand (7/4) was the first part of a Mullins-Townend Grade 1 on the day, as the son of Walk In The Park was an easy winner of the Alanna Homes Champion Novice Hurdle.

Bishopscourt Cup

Fountain House (evens favourite) won the opening Stanley Asphalt Hunters Chase for the Bishopscourt Cup. Trained by Ian McCarthy, the winner was ridden by Eo’n Mahon.

Its On The Line starts Emmet Mullins treble

Its On The Line is the champion hunter chaser for the third year in-a-row. The Emmet Mullins-trained eight-year-old reeled in the British-trained race leader Viroflay (16/5) before the field entered the home straight.

Derek O’Connor worked hard on the race favourite as both he and the Olive Nicholls-ridden Viroflay headed to the final two fences.

Its On The Line was stoked up by O’Connor and showed his customary bravery to win the Event Power Champion Hunters Chase by two and a quarter lengths.

Viroflay had to settle for second, with Hollow Games (20/1), from the Gordon Elliott yard third, 35 lengths behind the runner-up.

Sea Music (33/1) completed an Emmet Mullins double, winning the Listed Quinn Bet Novice Handicap Chase under Donagh Meyler

The County Carlow handled completed a treble in the bumper, when the Paul Byrne-owned Soldier In Milan (5/2) ran out a good winner for jockey John Gleeson.

Dinoblue impreses in Mares Chase

Dinoblue (4/7 favourite) completed a J.P. McManus-owned double in the next race, when successful in the Grade 2 Hanlon EBF Glencarraig Lady Mares Chase.

In the hands of the week’s leading rider, Mark Walsh, Dinoblue’s biggest danger was her stable companion, Allegorie De Vassy (100/30), with Paul Townend in the saddle.

Ultimately the Willie Muillins-trained pair entered the straight in front, before Dinoblue took command to defeat her stable companion by 35 lengths.

Brides Hill (9/2) and Keith Donoghue were the only other finishers in the four-runner contest.

Casheldale Lad (13/2) gave Gordon Elliott a second winner of Punchestown 2025, when winning the Uniquely Novice Hurdle.

It was a first winner of the week for Noel and Valerie Moran’s Bective Stud, with the winner ridden by Jordan Gainford.

Teahupoo wins back-to-back Champion Stayers Hurdles at Punchestown

Teahupoo wins the Grade 1 Ladbrokes Champion Stayers Hurdle for the second year. Credit: Breandán Ó hUallacháin.

Teahupoo (5/4 favourite) successfully defended his Grade 1 Ladbrokes Champion Stayers Hurdle title at Punchestown on Thursday.

Runner-up to Bob Olinger in the Stayers’ Hurdle at this year’s Cheltenham Festival, the Robcour-owned son of Masked Marvel returned to the number one spot this afternoon.

It was a welcome winner for trainer Gordon Elliott, who had been close a number of times this week, without claiming a winner.

The eight-year-old tracked the leaders before making a move two out. He was soon ridden by Sam Ewing and asked for his effort. The popular French-bred gelding moved into the lead and wasn’t for catching.

 

Asterion Forlonge (18/1), who raced towards the rear for much of the contest made his move up the rail under Paul Towend. The Joe and Marie Donnelly-owned grey claimed the runner-up spot, four and a quarter lengths behind the winner.

It was announced after the race that the seven-time winner had run his last race and the 11-year-old is now being retired.

Jessica Harrington’s Jetara (6/1) kept on for third place without ever threatening the first two that crossed the finishing line.

“A star of a horse”

A relieved Gordon Elliott, who was winning his first race of the week, admitted:

“This horse has got me out of trouble a few times and he’s done it again. He’s a star of a horse. I was panicking turning in to be honest.

“He’s so laidback at home and you nearly start questioning yourself, ‘Is he a bit heavy going around the ring?’ Sam gave him a no-nonsense ride and kept it very straightforward.”

Majborough wins Grade 1 Barberstown Castle Novice Chase by 14 lengths

Majborough and Mark Walsh were 14 length winners of the Grade 1 Barberstown Castle Novice Chase at Punchestown. Photo credit: David Betts.

Majborough (4/11 favourite) won the six-runner Grade 1 Barberstown Castle Novice Chase at Punchestown this afternoon.

In the colours of J.P. McManus, the Mark Walsh-ridden gelding was a sixth winner of the week for the owner and a third for the jockey.

Last seen in the Arkle Chase at the Cheltenham Festival, Majborough’s jumping was better this time, though he jumped noticeably to his left at the final two fences in the straight.

The Willie Mullins-trained son of Martinborough ran out an easy 14 length winner from Gavin Cromwell’s Only By Night (5/1), with Keith Donoghue in the saddle.

The runner-up prize money saw Cromwell surpass the €2 million mark for the first time in his relatively short training career.

Noel Meade’s Jesse Evans (40/1), ridden by Donogh Meyler, was third past the post, a further half a length behind the runner-up.

 

The winning jockey, Mark Walsh, who is currently joint-leading rider at this year’s Punchestown Festival alongside J.J. Slevin, said of Majborough post-race:

“He has some engine. He always jumps a little bit left but he’s never jumped that badly left. It’s the first time he’s went that badly left going right-handed. If you could just iron them out he has some ability, some engine.

“He’s only five and hopefully he’ll mature this summer. I’m looking forward to what he could mature into over the next 18 months or two years.”

Doubles for O’Brien, Slevin and McManus at Punchestown

Busselton and J.J. Slevin return to the Punchestown winner's enclosure after success in the La Touche Cup. Credit: Breandán Ó hUallacháin.

Teahupoo won the Thursday feature, the Grade 1 Ladbrokes Champion Stayers Hurdle for Gordon Elliott and Sam Ewing.

The other Grade 1 contest of the day, the Barberstwon Castle Novice Chase saw Willie Mullins add to his haul at the highest level through Majborough.

Two wins for J.P. McManus

Petit Tonnerre (16/1) and Richie McLernon gave J.P. McManus another Punchestown 2025 winner. The seven-year-old is trained by A.J. and Jonjo O’Neill, and maintained the successful record of British-based winners so far this week at the County Kildare venue.

Later in the afternoon, McManus completed a double when Jeriko Du Reponet (13/2 joint-favourite) won the Listed Conway Piling Handicap Hurdle for James Bowen.

The French-bred, runner-up to Doddiethegreat (14/1) at Cheltenham last month, reversed placings this time time around as the Brian Hughes-ridden runner-up completed a 1-2 for Seven Barrows.

Busselton wins La Touche

At the end of four miles one furlong and 11 yards, the Mongey Communications La Touche Cup Cross Country Chase produced a thrilling finishing.

With numerous horses in contention for the historic prize entering the home straight, the Joseph O’Brien-trained Busselton (7/1), and jockey J.J. Slevin, out-battled Desertmore House (9/1) and Ricky Doyle by three-quarters of a length to win.

Three By Two (11/1) and Richie Deegan were only a neck further back in third, with nine lengths further back to Vital Island (12/1) and rider Barry Stone.

Doubles for O’Brien and Slevin

O’Brien and Slevin completed a Thursday double with the victory of Cottesloe Sunshine (33/1) in the Listed Close Brothers Irish EBF Mares Novice Hurdle.

Previously successful in two hurdle races, the daughter of Getaway was a three and a half length winner this afternoon over the fast-finishing Mozzie’s Sister (9/1) and Shane Fitzgerald.

The odd-on favourite, Sixandahalf (8/13) could only manage third place, a further length and a quarter back.

The Specialist Group Handicap Hurdle went to the Ray Grehan-owned Putapoundinthejar (17/2).

The gelded son of Walk In The Park, trained in County Meath by Tony Martin, was ridden by recently crowned British Champion Jumps Jockey, Seán Bowen.

The concluding JP & M Doyle INH Flat Race went to the Noel Fehilly Racing Syndicate-owned Baron Noir at 12/1. Trained by Alan King, it ended a successful day for British-trained runners at Punchestown.

Jody McGarvey retires

Coleraine native Jody McGarvey retired from the saddle at Punchestown this afternoon.

The three-time Grade 1-winning rider finished third on his final ride aboard the J.P. McManus-owned Mirazur West (3/1 favourite) in the Frontline Security Handicap Chase.

The Derry jockey said:

“I’ve had my fair share of injuries but I got through it and was able to retire on my own terms.

“I’ve been a lot luckier than a lot of people. I didn’t really want to stop riding but the opportunities were getting thin on the ground. I wanted to go out when I felt I was still riding well and I’ve had a few winners in the last couple of weeks. I’m leaving the game without a chip on my shoulder.”

Galopin Des Champs is 22 length winner of Punchestown Gold Cup

Galopin Des Champs and Paul Townend won the Grade 1 Ladbrokes Punchestown Gold Cup on Wednesday afternoon. Photo credit: David Betts.

Galopin Des Champs (5/6 favourite) won the Ladbrokes Punchestown Gold Cup for the first time on Wednesday afternoon.

The dual Cheltenham Gold Cup winner, beaten twice previously in the Punchestown showpiece, produced a devastating performance today to win by 22 lengths.

Ridden by his regular partner, Paul Townend, Galopin Des Champs led the four-runner field throughout the extended three mile race.

 

With Banbridge tracking him for much of the Grade 1 contest, the Joseph O’Brien-trained 4/1 chance was being pushed by jockey J.J. Slevin three fences from home.

Rachael Blackmore on Monty’s Star (13/2) was positioned in third spot until the half-way stage, before dropping towards the rear five from home.

Spillane’s Tower (4/1), the mount of Mark Walsh, for trainer Jimmy Mangan, was held up at the rear of the quartet, but made a significant mistake four out.

Soon the J.P. McManus-owned son of Walk In The Park became the main challenger in the home straight. Galopin Des Champs was never in danger, however, and crossed the line to huge cheers from the packed stands.

Galopin Des Champs had been beaten on his two previous races at the Punchestown Festival. Both of these defeats came on the back of success in the Cheltenham Gold Cups in 2023 and 2024.

One of the best chasers

The winning trainer, Willie Mullins, said of today’s win:

“I thought he was more at home (today). I was a little bit worried about the heat and the weather. I imagine the other trainers were too but the horse, you could see from the start he was enjoying himself. There was a spark in him from jumping out the gate.

“He had a look at the road or gate or something. Paul said to me that when he was able to do that, he felt he was only playing in front and when he got to the top of the hill he felt, ‘Let’s go a little faster, put them under more pressure,’ because he felt when he had time to do that sort of thing, it really showed that he was at ease.

“He’s a very good horse. He has to be one of the best chasers we have ever had anyway.”