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Point-to-Point racing is a form of amateur horseracing over fences for hunting horses. In Ireland many of the horses will appear in these races before they compete in National Hunt races either in Ireland or in the UK. In contrast in England and Wales horses running in point to points are more likely to be at the end of their national hunt careers. The Irish point to point is used as a nursery for future young stars: a horse that wins its debut point to point in Ireland will often sell for a lot of money.

Horses running in Point to Points must be thoroughbreds, save in the case of hunt members races and certain other club members races (e.g. Pegasus club members race). The horses have to obtain a certificate from a Master of Foxhounds stating that they have hunted for at least 4 days in the season before racing starts in January. In addition the jockey must obtain a certificate from the hunt secretary.

Point to Point racing

Point to point regulations in the UK and Ireland require all races to be run over 3 miles, but there are exceptions. Certain important races are run over longer distances, e.g. the Lady Dudley Cup (3 miles 2 furlongs) and the Heythrop men's open (4 miles). Maiden races for young horses (aged 4 to 7) can be run over 2 miles 4 furlongs.

A three mile race is almost invariably 2 circuits of a typical point to point course although there are one or two exceptions (e.g. Larkhill in Wiltshire). Every course must have a minimum number of fences and at least 2 fences must have ditches.

The fences are made of birch and are approx 4 foot 6 inches high.The fences are made of birch and are approx 4 foot 6 inches high.

Point to point regulations in England prevent licence holders training under rules from training pointers. However there are so many exceptions to this rule that it is almost without any effect at all.

Horses that are eligible to run in points are also eligible to run in hunter chases, i.e. races run under rules over regulation fences open only to horses with a current hunter certificate.

 

Point to Point Racing in and around the Cotswolds

Date Fixture Course First Race
Saturday 4 March 2017 Duke of Beaufort Didmarton 12-30
Saturday 26 March 2017 Vale of White Horse Siddington 1-00
Sunday 26 March 2017 Ledbury Maisemore Park 12-30
Sunday 9 April 2017 Cotswold Andoversford 2-00
Monday 17 April 2017 North Cotswold Paxford 1-00
Saturday 1 April 2017 Croome and W.W. Upton-upon-Severn 2-00
Saturday 16 April 2017 Worcestershire Chaddesley Corbett 2-00
Sunday 16 April 2017 Cotswold Vale Farmers Andoversford 2-30
Saturday 29 April 2017 Berkeley Woodford 2-00
Saturday 6 May 2017 Wheatland Chaddesley Corbett 1-30
Monday 29 May 2017 Albrighton & Woodland Chaddesley Corbett 2-00

Useful websites

Point-to-Point

Horse Racing Courses in and around the Cotswolds
Bath Cheltenham Salisbury
Stratford-upon-Avon Warwick Worcester
 

Cotswold Point to Point Racing