Kerry's Jack Kennedy was crowned Irish champion jumps jockey for the second time following the season ending Punchestown Festival.
2026 Punchestown Racing Festival, Punchestown Racecourse, Kildare 2/5/2026Mandatory Credit ©INPHO/Tom Maher
2026 Punchestown Racing Festival, Punchestown Racecourse, Kildare 2/5/2026Mandatory Credit ©INPHO/Tom Maher
2026 Punchestown Racing Festival, Punchestown Racecourse, Kildare 2/5/2026Mandatory Credit ©INPHO/Tom Maher
2026 Punchestown Racing Festival, Punchestown Racecourse, Kildare 2/5/2026Mandatory Credit ©INPHO/Tom Maher
2026 Punchestown Racing Festival, Punchestown Racecourse, Kildare 2/5/2026Mandatory Credit ©INPHO/Tom Maher
2026 Punchestown Racing Festival, Punchestown Racecourse, Kildare 2/5/2026Mandatory Credit ©INPHO/Tom Maher
The curtain came down on the 2025/26 jumps campaign at the end of another stirring Punchestown Festival on Saturday when the titles for all six champions were presented.
Jack Kennedy is Ireland’s Champion Jockey over jumps for the second time. Just as when he gained his first title in 2024, this race came right down to the final day. From Dingle, Kennedy, 27, had three wins to spare over Co Cork rider Darragh O’Keeffe, the final score 102-99.
Kennedy rode 12 Grade 1 winners during the season at home and abroad, the final one arriving on Western Fold on Tuesday at Punchestown.
A thrilled Kennedy said: “It's every jockey's dream to be crowned champion jockey, so to win it for the second time is unbelievable. To ride over 100 winners on horses such as Skylight Hussle, Romeo Coolio, Teahupoo and Brighterdaysahead is never lost on me. I have to give huge credit to the support network around me - Gordon, his owners and everyone at Cullentra for the unbelievable opportunities to ride all these wonderful horses along with all the outside trainers and owners who have supported me throughout the season. Special mention to Dr Jennifer Pugh and her medical team along with physiotherapist Gavin Egan and strength and conditioning coach Wayne Middleton from Irish Injured Jockeys. Finally, I have to sincerely thank my family who always have my back and are there through thick and thin."
The 2025/26 National Hunt champions are:
CHAMPION JOCKEY Jack Kennedy
CHAMPION TRAINER Willie Mullins
CHAMPION CONDITIONAL JOCKEY Eoin Staples
CHAMPION AMATEUR Patrick Mullins
CHAMPION LADYRIDER Jody Townend
CHAMPION OWNER JP McManus
Willie Mullins won the Champion Trainer crown for the 18th successive year and 20th in all. The peerless Closutton, Co Carlow maestro saved his very best until final, decisive week to thwart his rival, Gordon Elliott, based at Cullentra in Co Meath.
Mullins was the meeting’s leading trainer winning six of the 12 Grade 1 races staged.
Mullins said: “Twenty championships are hard to fathom, but it’s all down to the wonderful horses our owners send us and the incredible team in Closutton. When we started training horses, Jackie and I never dreamed of this level of success. We feel very lucky to be training lovely horses for great owners. From myself, Jackie and Patrick to David Casey, Paul Townend and all our team, it's a huge team effort from everyone.”
Eoin Staples ended the season the Champion Conditional Jockey. This was another honour that went right down the wire, although the Co Wexford rider was unable to take his final booked mounts after a fall on Thursday. Staples had a buffer of three winners over his nearest pursuer Michael Kenneally from Co Cork, the tally 33-30.
Staples said: “I’m absolutely delighted to win the champion conditional title and the Goffs Thyestes on Now Is The Hour for the BDS Syndicate and Gavin Cromwell has to be my season standout. I have to give special mention to Rob James, Andy Pierce and Colin Bowe for giving me all the experience and opportunities as an amateur before turning conditional. I have to give big thanks to my main supporters Gavin Cromwell and Paul Nolan and their owners for the amazing opportunities they have given me, along with the people around me - Garry Cribbin my agent, my family especially my mam and dad – I couldn’t have done it without them.”
Patrick Mullins received the Champion Amateur trophy for the 18th time with 34 winners. During a season when he crossed 900-winner mark, he rode Grade 1 winners at home and at the Cheltenham Festival.
Mullins said: “I am delighted to retain the champion Amateur title – that’s the number one aim every year. AP McCoy has 20 titles and Gordon Richards had 26, so I’ve a few to go to catch them. The highlights must be riding my 900th winner on Jimmy Du Seuil at Fairyhouse last November and Final Demand in the Guinness 00 Faugheen Novice Chase at the Limerick Christmas Festival. However, I got a great kick out of winning on Closutton in Downpatrick in July, one of the last foals out of Screaming Witness who was my first ever ride on the racetrack.
“I think there is as strong a crop of young amateur riders as there has been since I started to ride. Adam Ryan has had an incredible season; Harry Swan is banging in the winners and John Gleeson is riding out of his skin, to mention but a few. The future for the amateur ranks looks very bright.”
Jody Townend is our Champion Lady Rider for the sixth year in succession and capped her title with a Grade 3 success during the week.
Townend said: “Winning the Ladies Hurdle on Ollie La Ba Ba for Eoin McCarthy at the Listowel Harvest Festival last September gave me a great kick. The Punchestown Festival has always been very lucky for me – I’ve had a winner at the festival five of the last six years so it was great to keep the tradition going and get the win with Even Tho on Wednesday. Willie Mullins, his owners and everyone in Closutton give me unbelievable support as do my family – my dad, brother Paul and sister Caroline.”
JP McManus collected a sixth successive Champion Owner trophy and his 23rd in all over his time as one of the most storied figures National Hunt racing has seen.
McManus said: “To be crowned champion owner is a huge honour for my family and me. This season, my family and I have had brilliant days at the races with lots of special memories, especially at Punchestown this week. I have to express my sincere gratitude to all the trainers, jockeys and stable staff and all who play a huge part in our success.”
Summing up, Suzanne Eade, CEO of Horse Racing Ireland, said: “What a terrific jumps season it has been, one with so many great moments and subplots throughout. I would firstly like to congratulate all our champions who have been honoured for their achievements today. I also wish to acknowledge the huge contribution made by all our owners, trainers, jockeys, stable staff and racecourses during the season. Their combined enthusiasm, talent and resources make Irish jumps racing the remarkable success it is.”
Denis Kirwan reports
