Punchestown Racecourse was awarded the Best Racecourse of the Year Award at the second running of the Irish Stable Staff Association Awards on Saturday night last. The Best Racecourse Award is given on the basis of a poll undertaken by Irish stable staff.

Punchestown was one of three racecourses nominated for the award. A delighted Dick O´Sullivan, manager of Punchestown, was present to accept the award on Saturday night and said 'This award means so much to us in Punchestown. There have been many times recently when our name was in highlights for all the wrong reasons and it's a pleasure to have it in highlights for the right reasons now. Stable staff often work long hours in difficult conditions and it is very pleasing that they feel the facilities we have merit this award. Since Punchestown was redeveloped in 1998 it was obvious to many race goers that the facilities had improved dramatically but not obvious that we had top class facilities behind the scenes. We will continue to improve all facilities at Punchestown for both race goers and stable staff and look forward to a prosperous remainder to 2005.'

Racing will take place at Punchestown on Sunday next when the feature races will be the Grade 2 Byrne Group Plc Novice Hurdle of €55,000 and the Grade 3 Byrne Group Plc Tied Cottage Steeplechase of €40,000 in which Moscow Flyer is expected to run.