As the countdown to the 2024 Punchestown Festival gets under way, the track today welcomed Channor Real Estate Group as the latest Grade One sponsor in a three-year deal.

The €125,000 Grade 1 Channor Real Estate Group Novice Hurdle takes place on day two (Wednesday) of the festival. Formerly run as the Irish Mirror Hurdle, the role of honour for this contest has Galopin Des Champs and Gaelic Warrior featuring as victors in the last three years.

The Punchestown sponsorship will be the Channor Real Estate Group’s debut commercial partnership on the Irish racing scene.

The second-generation family-owned property investment and development company was established in 1990. Having been involved in property development in the UK and New Zealand, Channor Real Estate Group would be best known as the developers of Blanchardstown Corporate Park where they have built over 1.5 million square feet of office and industrial property.

Darren Harrison, Channor Real Estate Group CEO, said: “The synergy between horse racing and our business community is unmistakable. Having attended last year’s festival, I witnessed first-hand the strong presence of our clientele, and it became clear Punchestown is something we’d like to get involved with. It makes sense to be where they are and Punchestown is the industry leader when it comes to Irish racing events.”

Punchestown Racecourse CEO Conor O’Neill said: “The Channor Real Estate Group is exactly the kind of company we enjoy working alongside - family owned and quality focused with a keen eye on longevity. The Channor team have identified that involvement here at Punchestown makes good commercial sense for them. On behalf of Punchestown we welcome Darren and the team and look forward to optimising this partnership for them over the next three years.”

The 2024 Punchestown Festival takes place from Tuesday 30th April to Saturday 4th May. The Grade 1 Channor Real Estate Group Novice Hurdle is one of 12 Grade One races featured across the five-day jump racing grand finale.