Point to point racing in Ireland has always been about preparing, and selling on, horses that might hit the heights and win races at the big Festivals, here and at home.
In Ireland they focus on younger aged maiden races, which then go on to win many of the races run under rules over there. The Brits have finally cottoned on to just why the Irish lads are so successful when it comes to Cheltenham and now our PTP scene has an ever growing number of maiden races for horses aged four, and five.
I read recently (Horse and Hound), that we will have an initiative introduced that is designed to improve on the standard of horse racing here which, let’s be honest, is shocking right now. So many low grade horses, running in bad races.
The idea is that young horses are “blooded” in the PTP arena and Goffs UK, and Tattersalls, have a £100k bonus up for grabs, that will see any horse bought between March 2024 and February 2025, based with a British trainer, winning that prize if they go on to win one of four races at Cheltenham 2026, two of those races being the Supreme Novices’, or the Champion Bumper.
It’s about time someone had a good look at what they were doing over there, that contributed to the annual embarrassment suffered at Cheltenham.
Fingers crossed it works!
