'Nail-biting' finish to Punchestown Charity Race
The winning jockey in Saturday's Punchestown Charity Race was Sarah Costello from County Clare, writes Brian Byrne. It was the 34th running of the race, which was established by Kilcullen's James Nolan to help fund kidney research and support.
The race was a milestone event in its own right as it represented a total funding raised of over €2 million for the Punchestown Kidney Research Fund since it was first run. Sarah Costello was one of 22 jockeys in the race, and she was among four who visited the Vartry Renal Unit at Tallaght University Hospital recently to see firsthand how the money raised helps people on dialysis.
Apart from being familiar with horses from her family's business in raising foals to sell as three-year-olds and point-to-pointers, Sarah also had a direct interest in that her father, who had been on dialysis for a number of years, received a transplant a short time ago.
"She won the race in a thrilling and nail-biting finish," James told the Diary. "Most importantly, all the jockeys and horses finished the day safe and sound."
Minister for Agriculture Martin Heydon presented trophies to everyone who participated in the race. "It was also a fantastic day to celebrate Organ Donor Awareness," James, himself the recipient of a donor kidney from his sister Catherine more than three decades ago, said, "and the title name of the race says it all: Have the conversation — Say Yes to Organ Donation."
