Supporting the Care Behind Every Runner
Connolly’s RED MILLS, together with Foran Equine and Carr & Day & Martin, returns to Punchestown with a continued commitment to the people behind racing shining a light on the stable staff whose care and consistency underpin every runner.
Built around the platform Nourish Support Care, our presence spans the full week from the stable yard to the racecourse and into the shopping village.
RED MILLS Supporting Stable Staff Canteen Sponsorship
At the heart of our activity is the Stable Staff Canteen sponsorship providing complimentary meals throughout the week as a simple way to recognise the dedication of grooms and stable staff.
This is supported by daily stable yard engagement, including Spin to Win and product giveaways, along with Carr & Day & Martin Gallop Shampoo Bars available in the wash bays reinforcing practical, hands-on care where it matters most.
Supporting the Racing Industry: €75,000 RED MILLS Irish EBF Auction Series Hurdle Final
On Gold Cup Day April 29th, Punchestown will once again stage the €75,000 Connolly’s RED MILLS Irish EBF Auction Series Hurdle Final, continuing our commitment to opportunity and progression within racing. The Connolly’s RED MILLS Irish EBF Auction Hurdle Series was added to the Irish National Hunt programme for the 2017/2018 season and was designed to showcase talented maiden and novice hurdlers sourced at more affordable prices. Open to horses typically bought for €45,000/€30,000 or less at store sales in Ireland and the UK, the series provides a valuable platform to breeders, owners and trainers alike. The series features 16 qualifying races across the season, each worth at least €20,000, before culminating in the €75,000 Connolly’s RED MILLS Irish EBF Auction Hurdle Series Final at Punchestown Festival each April. Last years final was won by Thisistheway trained & owned by Yvonne Latta & her family. The daughter of Doyen was bought-back for only €2,000 at the 2022 Tattersalls Summer Store Sale.
Punchestown POV 2026: Punchestown Festival Groom Competition
New for 2026, Punchestown POV invites grooms to share their raceday experience from first feed to final check highlighting the work, skill and attention to detail behind every horse, with fantastic prizes awarded to winning yards.
What It Is
A simple, social-first competition inviting grooms to show us their full raceday during Punchestown.
From first feed at dawn…
to travel…
to wash bays…
to final check at night.
They’ll have one week after the Festival to post their video.
We will award 3 winning yards, selected using a tiered system to ensure fairness across yard sizes.
How It Works
To enter, grooms must:
- Film their Punchestown raceday
- Post to Instagram or TikTok within 7 days of the Festival ending
- Tag RED MILLS, Foran Equine & Carr & Day & Martin
- Use #PunchestownPOV
- Follow the accounts
Visit the RED MILLS Store at Punchestown Shopping Village
Visitors can also engage with the brand at the RED MILLS Store in the Shopping Village, offering the opportunity to explore products, speak with the team and connect with the brand throughout the week.
GET RACE DAY READY WITH RED MILLS STORE
Connolly’s RED MILLS Strengthens Commitment to Horse Care and Stable Staff Welfare
Speaking ahead of the Festival, Gareth Connolly, CEO of Connolly’s RED MILLS, said:
“At RED MILLS, everything we do starts with putting the horse at the centre. That means supporting the people who care for them, every hour of every day not just on race day. Punchestown brings that to life across the full week. It’s a genuine team effort and a strong collaboration with the fantastic team at Punchestown Racecourse. We’re proud to be there in practical, meaningful ways that support the standards behind every runner.”
Welcoming the continued partnership, Leona Hughes said:
“Our relationship with RED MILLS is a long-standing and highly valued one. Their commitment to the stable staff experience is something we genuinely appreciate — not just in the support they provide, but in how consistently they show up for the people at the heart of the industry. It makes a real difference to the overall Punchestown experience.”
From First Feed to Final Check.
All Week. All Season.
We’re There.
