‘PEOPLE make Punchestown’ is what they like to say at the track and there are some great stories behind the volunteers, locals and raceday staff.

On Tuesday, Punchestown made a fuss for fence steward Ger Dunne, who was celebrating his 60th birthday. Ger was joined by his wife Catherine, family and friends.

Although Ger has been attending Punchestown for 50 years, Tuesday was the first time he entered the track through the turnstiles, having always used the staff entrance!

It was a flat card, so Ger was entitled to a day off.

Also a local councillor, Ger has manned what he refers to as the most prestigious fence in Irish racing, the final fence, for 37 years and has only missed two fixtures in all that time.

Ger took over this important position from Joe Sheridan, father of Brendan Sheridan, who is the clerk of the course at Punchestown.

His role at the final fence is to repair any damage to the birch, put back ground, by-passing and assisting Order of Malta and vet crews where necessary.

We’re told Ger also loves a good jive session between races, alongside racegoers on the other side of the rail!

He has seen six managers come through Punchestown and ranks second in number of years of service at the track, just behind facilities manager Martin ‘Snowball’ Pearse, who has been 45 years at Punchestown.