1. sports
2. horse racing

20 January 2015
GOPOINTING
the weekly guide to your sport
in association with
THAT’S
STILL GOT
RHYTHM
PLUS: WHAT’S ON THIS WEEK • SCENE & HEARD FROM SHERIFF HUTTON
• LATEST NEWS • AGA’S PICNIC POINTERS • TRAINER TALK
• PONY RACING NEWS & ENTRIES
#gopointing
IN
PROFILE
trainer Heather Kemp
& rider Emma Todd
1
GETTING TO
KNOW YOU
with first season rider
www.pointtopoint.co.uk
Amelia
Glass
20 January 2015
GOPOINTING
#gopointing
2
www.pointtopoint.co.uk
20 January 2015
GOPOINTING
WELCOME FROM THE EDITOR
According To Harry (right) and
Darren Edwards just get the better
of Swingbridge and Sam Painting
in a close finish to the Open
Maiden race (Div II) at the
Silverton meeting
Photo: Alun Sedgmore
sportingprints.biz
A WEEKEND TO REMEMBER
FOR EDWARDS
It’s not often that the defending
Gentleman Rider champion Will
Biddick is overshadowed, and it
looked like being no different after
another fine treble at Larkhill, but
Darren Edwards came along to grab
the headlines.
achievement of the defending champ
with a superb 292/1 treble twenty-four
hours later at Black Forest Lodge,
giving him four winners across the
weekend.
Biddick’s feat at the Royal Artillery
meeting came aboard three Jack
Barber trained runners, the first of
which was the unraced Bandeirantes in
the Open Maiden (Div I). Subsequent
wins on Subtle Sovereign (Club
Members Conditions) and Aerial
(Mens Open) topped off a productive
afternoon.
Edwards got the ball rolling on Sunday
on his old friend Coombe Hill, the 14year-old winning a third consecutive
race in Open company when landing
the Mens feature race. He didn’t have
to wait long for another winner either,
riding the first of his two winners for
Nicky Martin on According To Harry
in the Open Maiden (Div 1, Part 1).
The Sunday treble was then completed
in the Open Maiden (Div 2) when he
guided the 12/1 chance Infamous
Grouse to victory for the same keeper.
In winning the Mens Open, Aerial
qualified for the Cheltenham
Foxhunters, and is now just a Hunter
Chase placing away from doubling his
options with qualification for the
Aintree Fox Hunters; whichever route
connections go down, it’s an exciting
dilemma to have.
That’s Rhythm and Byerley Bear took
the two Ladies Opens and both are a
credit to their respective connections.
At 15 years young the former made it
two from two this season at the Royal
Artillery meeting, getting the better of
a high-class field which included Sharp
Suit, My Flora and Act Of Kalanisi.
Enter Darren Edwards, who was
responsible for preventing a fourth
winner on the card for Barber and
Biddick when he partnered Briefcase
to victory in the Open Maiden (Div 2),
in turn overshadowing the
The latter, owned by Roger Knowles,
was making it three from three this
season when scoring at the Silverton,
in turn extending his unbeaten run to
five between the flags. The top-class
Hunter Chase performer Foundry
#gopointing
3
Square made the 10-year-old work for
victory, but perhaps lacked the racefitness of the winner and had to settle
for second.
Unfortunately Alnwick’s West Percy
fixture fell foul of the weather.
Organisers gave the meeting every
chance, holding two inspections, but
frost and snow showers left no other
option than to postpone. Thankfully a
new date has already been set for the
rearranged fixture which will take
place on Saturday, 31st January, with
the original entries for this meeting
standing.
Looking ahead to this weekend and
there are four meetings scheduled for
Sunday, including the Heythrop at
Cocklebarrow, where I’ll be heading to
watch the first Classic race of the
season, the Lord Ashton of Hyde’s
Cup. There are also meetings at
Higham, Friars Haugh and Chipley
Park, for which all the relevant
information can
be found in the
‘What’s On
This Week’
section.
Ben Roe,
Editor
www.pointtopoint.co.uk
20 January 2015
GOPOINTING
#gopointing
4
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Sunday, 25 January
PR
denotes Pony Racing at the meeting
GOPOINTING
20 January 2015
WHAT’S ON THIS WEEK
HEYTHROP
JEDFOREST
at Cocklebarrow (Gloucestershire)
Approx. 1.5 miles south of the A40, the access road from the A40 being
3 miles to the east of the roundabout at Northleach, where the A40
crosses the A429. GL54 3PP
Provisional Going: Good, good to soft in places
First Race: 12.00pm
Number of Races: 7
Number of Entries: 126
Admission Prices: £20 per car, £10 car single occupant, £40 reserved area
at Friars Haugh (Borders)
Just W of Kelso, nr A699. TD5 8LS
Provisional Going: Soft
First Race: 12.30pm
Number of Races: 7
Number of Entries: 91
Admission Prices: £10 per person, under 14s free
TIVERTON
WAVENEY HARRIERS
at Chipley Park (Somerset)
3m NE of Wellington, on B3187 (Junc 26 M5). TA21 0QU
Provisional Going: Soft, good to soft in places
First Race: 12.00pm
Number of Races: 8
Number of Entries: 120
Admission Prices: £25 per car, £10 single occupant
at Higham (Suffolk)
8m NE of Colchester via A12 and B1068. CO7 6NG
Provisional Going: Good
First Race: 12.00pm
Number of Races: 8
Number of Entries: 125
Admission Prices: £12 per person, under 16s free
PR
HUNTER CHASES
Thursday, 22 January
Warwick
3:50 Willoughby De Broke Open Hunters’ Chase, 3m110y
WEST PERCY AT ALNWICK REARRANGED
The West Percy at Alnwick will now take place on Saturday, 31st
January 2015 after having to postpone on
Sunday (18 January). Entries made on the original closing date will
stand.
GOPOINTING
is published by The Point-to-Point Racing
Company Ltd
Editor: Ben Roe
t: 01933 440077
e: [email protected]
Advertising: Lucy Wheeler
t: 01933 440077
e: [email protected]
#gopointing
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Front Cover Photo: 15-year-old That’s
Rhythm, showing age is no barrier to success,
under Page Fuller on their way to winning the
Ladies Open at the Royal Artillery meeting at
Larkhill on Saturday by Tim Holt
[email protected]
5
Editorial views expressed in this magazine are
not necessarily those of the Point-to-Point
Racing Company
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Ben Rivett with Bridget Andrews,
who is being backed by Savills this season
GOPOINTING
20 January 2015
LATEST NEWS
NEW COURSE FOR THE
BANWEN MINERS
by Brian Lee
The Banwen Miners fixture on Bank
Holiday Monday, May 4 will be held at
a new course at Llwyn Farm between
Glais and Pontardawe. The land the
races have been held on since 1999 at
Pentreclwydau has been sold. The new
course is said to be a fairly flat one and
possibly a left handed one but no
decision has been made as yet.
SAVILLS MAKES A POINT
BACKING A WINNER
Savills have announced their
sponsorship of leading Point-to-Point
rider Bridget Andrews, the reigning
National Lady Riders Champion.
Bridget, who rode a double at
Towcester under Rules on Boxing Day,
will be sporting the Savills logo at
races up and down the country as she
vies to retain her title this season.
The sponsorship was organised by the
recently retired East Anglian
Champion Ben Rivett, who is a
residential agent for Savills in
Norwich. He explained: “Savills
sponsored me when I was competing
and when I decided to retire last
autumn I was keen that we should
keep our involvement and
commitment to the sport going.
“Bridget is an extremely talented and
popular rider and I am delighted we
have been able to collaborate. We wish
her well for continued success
throughout 2015.”
#gopointing
Bridget added: “I am very thankful to
Savills for their sponsorship. It is great
for the sport that companies of
Savills’ size and reputation are
involved and continue to lend their
support. I’ve seen their signs and
marquee at meetings all over the
country, so it will be nice to give them
further coverage.”
SUBARU RESTRICTED SERIES
GETS BETWEEN THE FLAGS
FOR THE FIRST TIME IN THE
NEW YEAR
The Subaru Restricted Point-to-Point
series resumes on Sunday 25 January
following the December break, with
two qualifying races. Strong entries are
anticipated for the sponsored races at
Cocklebarrow Races, organised by the
Heythrop Hunt in Gloucestershire and
Friars Haugh for the Jedforest Hunt
event in the Scottish Borders near
Kelso.
From here on in, momentum will
gather as the schedule of twenty six
qualifiers for the 2014/15 season get
into full swing and all eyes look
towards the final at Stratford-UponAvon Racecourse on Friday 29 May
where the victor will take a share of
the £10,000 prize fund.
Strong entries are anticipated for the
two events on the last weekend in
January, particularly at the high-profile
Cocklebarrow track which always has a
strong following from local businesses,
celebrities and the countrywide
community. Local Subaru dealerships
6
will be present at both events,
showcasing models from the current
range, including one of the very first
exposures of the new Outback model
in the UK. The new Subaru Outback
features a raft of exciting new features
and technology and goes on sale
throughout the Subaru network in
March. Horses that have not won any
race under the Rules of any recognised
Racing Authority other than a Maiden
or Hunt Members race are eligible to
compete in the series.
NEW RIDER AWARD IN THE
NORTHERN AREA
The Rainy Brown Memorial Trophy
will be awarded to the top rider at
Friars Haugh this season and is
sponsored by friends of the late Rainy
Brown. Rainy was a great Point-toPoint enthusiast and was also secretary
of the Berwickshire Point-to-Point
committee.
The trophy will be presented by the
friends of Rainy at the Berwickshire
Point-to-Point and held for 12
months; the winner will also recieve a
memento.
Points will be awarded as follows:
1st: 4 points
2nd: 2 points
3rd: 1 point
In the event of a tie the rider with the
most winners and thereafter placings
will be deemed the victor.
Any friends of Rainy Brown who
would like to donate towards the
trophy can contact Myles McNulty
on 01573 224051.
www.pointtopoint.co.uk
20 January 2015
GOPOINTING
UK POINT-TO-POINT RIDERS TO GAIN
FROM FORMER JOCKEYS’ ADVICE
Sean Bowen and his father, trainer Peter
Photo: David Simpson
Point-to-point riders are to be offered
advice from former professional
jockeys as part of the British
Horseracing Authority’s Jockey
Coaching Programme (JCP).
A series of workshops run by former
professional jockeys are being put
together, and while initially set up to
benefit conditional and apprentice
jockeys, the BHA has recognised the
importance of including amateur and
point-to-point riders. An increasing
number of young people – many
having ridden in pony races – are now
spending a season or two point-topointing before turning professional.
Sean Bowen, who has made such an
impact as a conditional jockey this
season, is a prime example.
Gill Greeves, the BHA’s vocational
training manager, says: “The very
successful BHA Jockey Coaching
Programme is growing from strength
to strength with the recent launch of
Regional Coaching Workshops. For an
#gopointing
introductory period we are pleased to
invite point-to-point riders to join this
exciting new initiative - receiving
expert tuition and advice from
professional coaches can only benefit
them, and I am sure amateur riders
will gain by attending one of these
workshops.”
The workshops will review and
enhance technical and tactical skills,
discuss fitness and nutrition and
evaluate race-riding skills. A fee of
£10 will apply, but the Point-to-Point
Owners’ & Riders’ Association
(PPORA) will pick up the cost for its
members.
This opportunity follows recent news
that a ‘concussion bounty’ – a grant of
£80 towards a new helmet following a
concussive fall – offered to
professional jockeys has been
extended to point-to-point riders, and
is another initiative generated by the
Point-to-Point Authority (PPA) with
support from the BHA.
7
Clare Hazell of the PPA, said: “We are
grateful to the BHA as this is another
positive step for the sport and
validates the skill and professionalism
required to be a successful rider,
regardless of point-to-pointing’s
amateur status. The standard of
horsemanship has naturally improved
over the years and this new initiative
will take us forward again. I’m sure
many riders will take up the
opportunity to work alongside former
professionals and learn techniques that
will help them before and during a
race.”
Two dates for the JCP workshops have
been confirmed - at the British Racing
School, Newmarket, on January 27 (6 9pm) with Michael Tebbutt, and at the
Northern Racing College, Doncaster,
on February 5 (4 - 7pm) with Tom
O’Ryan.
Riders should contact Jennie Durrans
on 01638 665103 or
[email protected].
www.pointtopoint.co.uk
20 January 2015
GOPOINTING
#gopointing
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www.pointtopoint.co.uk
20 January 2015
GOPOINTING
GETTING TO KNOW YOU
“I’d never visited many of the courses, so we relied on the sat-nav and my map reading skills…this
meant we would often find ourselves with our three horse trailer down single track lanes!”
AMELIA GLASS
2014 RaceTech Pony Racing
Graduate Amelia made her
Pointing debut at Larkhill last
Saturday. All being well, once
she finishes school, a career
under Rules beckons.
Date of birth: 10.11.98
Job or profession: Student at Sheldon
School.
Are you from a racing background?
If not, how did you get started in
Point-to-Pointing? Not really. Dad is a
farmer, although my family have always
hunted, and mum did
have one ride in a Pointto-Point. I have always
been in Pony Club and
eventing, but I couldn’t
get to grips with dressage
so after a lot of
persuasion mum bought
me a racing pony.
When do you hope to
have your first ride in
public? My first ride was
at the Royal Artillery
meeting at Larkhill (last
Saturday). I rode my
mum's horse,
Getyouracttogether, in
the Ladies Open. We had
a great spin until I was
unseated at the 12th! I
can't wait until my next
ride, I definitely have
caught the Pointing bug!
For which trainers/
owners will you mainly
be riding? I will be riding mum’s own
horse, although I would be very grateful
for anyone else giving me a ride!
Who has been most influential on
your riding career so far? I would
have to say Igo Zuminov or Doris, my
pony, who I raced last season. She taught
me the ropes as last year was my first
season race riding, and every race I
improved. Occasionally, when I have a
free Saturday, I ride out at George
Baker’s. Everyone is very friendly there
and I have learnt lots riding different
horses; I am very thankful for the
opportunity. My sponsor RaceTech
have also been very helpful to me be
helping me get all the paperwork and
equipment sorted for Pointing.
#gopointing
Which are your favourite courses?
And for what reasons? I would have
to say Barbury or Didmarton. Barbury
because I rode my first winner Pony
Racing there, and Didmarton has a great
atmosphere, plus it’s my local course!
Name your perfect night in and
perfect night out: Perfect night in
would be a good take away watching a
film with friends round. My perfect
night out would be to a young farmers
party.
Where do you like to go on holiday? I
love to go skiing, although I do love to
relax on the beach and go swimming in
the sea too. It’s nice to switch off and
not have to worry about anything!
Who would be your ideal travelling
companions to the races? Anyone that
enjoys racing as much as me!
on the sat-nav and my map reading
skills to get us there. This meant we
would often find ourselves with our
three horse trailer driving down single
track lanes in the middle of Somerset!
We even managed to find our way into
Newbury racecourse by entering at the
start of the straight course!
Who are your biggest heroes in
racing? AP McCoy; he has achieved so
much for our sport and continues to do
so. I don’t think there will ever be a
jockey quite like him.
Which particular horse (in any
discipline) would you like to ride? I
would love to Balthazar King in a crosscountry race at Cheltenham.
Apart from race-riding, in what other
sports do you participate? I enjoy any
sport really, anything to keep me fit! I
play on school hockey,
football and cricket
teams. My favourite other
sport is skiing; nothing
beats the thrill of getting
to the bottom of a
difficult run!
Do you have any
regrets in your riding
career to date? I don’t
have any regrets but after
every race I think back
over it or watch the
video and look for all the
mistakes and where I can
improve for next time.
What ambitions do you
have in racing? Firstly to
be successful, although I
would like to turn
professional one day,
whether that be on the
Flat or national hunt.
Being light I think as long
Amelia and Igo Zuminov Photo: Nico Morgan nicomorgan.com
as I don’t gain loads of
weight
I will probably be
What music are you currently
heading down the apprentice route once
listening to? I’m not too fussy when it
I have finished school.
comes to music, anything in the charts
Are there any changes that you think
really. The Arctic Monkeys are nice to
would benefit the sport in the future?
listen to.
I haven’t been involved in the sport long
What are your favourite films and TV
enough to suggest any improvements
programmes? My favourite film would
really. I think Pointing is doing well at
have to be Hot Fuzz or Australia. The
the moment, but we should always be
best TV programmes are Bad Education
trying to get new people involved!
and I’m A Celebrity, but I do like to
What are your aspirations for the
watch a bit of Downton Abbey
season? To have fun and be successful.
What has been either your own
If you were on an island and could
funniest incident, or the most
only bring three things, what would
you bring? A ball, food and Rocky
amusing thing you have seen or
(Getyouracttogether).
heard at the races? As last year was my
first season, I’d never visited many of
And finally, sum up Point-tothe Point-to-Point courses, so we relied
Pointing in one word: Exciting.
9
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Heather Kemp pictured after winning the 2012 Fernie 4-Mile Mixed Open and hanging up her boots
#gopointing
10
Photo:
Steve Hunt overthepage.co.uk
www.pointtopoint.co.uk
20 January 2015
TRAINER PROFILE
GOPOINTING
HEATHER KEMP
A staunch supporter of the sport, Heather Kemp has spent her life riding and training
Pointers. Where she finds the time, in between her professional and personal commitments,
nobody knows, but with a loyal team behind her she has an exciting season ahead.
For how long have you been
training?
Decades! I think it’s about 15 years,
although I just trained my own
Pointers initially.
Did you race-ride before you
started training?
Occasionally, but I didn’t start until I
was 26 so that’s why I had to keep
going for so long!
Where are you based?
Near Towcester, Northamptonshire.
How did you start training and who
has been most influential on your
training career?
We moved house from Preston Capes
(where the Tarry’s are based) and
moved away so it was then or never. I
would have to say that the Tarry’s were
influential in my training career –
Bunny Tarry is a great stockman and
Jimmy always fed his horses
exceptionally well.
Do you combine training with
another job or profession?
Yep – running a property management
business in Mayfair and providing
palliative care for my husband and 94year-old mother.
What training facilities do you have
available?
A fenced 5.5 furlong all weather
gallop, 75 acres of uphill grass gallop
and a 36 acre field where I do long
slow cantering work, schooling hurdles
and 7 schooling fences.
How many horses do you train?
10 - at the moment.
Do you train for just yourself and
family or for other Owners?
No, I have a very loyal band of owners
who have been very supportive of me
with my current personal situation.
Are you from a racing background?
Nope. Mother a hairdresser and father
a schoolmaster! My maternal
grandfather apparently loved horses
though.
What was the first winner you sent
out – name, owner, rider, date,
course?
I rode my first winner at Mollington
but it was a Jimmy Tarry-trained horse.
I think my first official training winner
was Lily Thelark (whom I rode) – my
favourite mare, who won 15 races.
Of which horse performance are
you most proud?
I was very privileged to ride for the
late Sir Michael Connell and I am
proud to have won my only Hunter
Chase for him on Broadsteane at
Hereford.
#gopointing
Which jockeys do you use
regularly?
Will Telfer and Lutie Akinci, plus Amy
Harper and Carl Brennan, who are the
two owner riders in the yard.
What car do you drive?
Around the farm a Ford pick-up –
filthy dirty and full of hammers, nails,
cable ties and dog hairs. If I’m posh, I
drive a BMW 5 series thanks to Sara
Moule (South Midlands Area
Chairman who happens to work for
BMW - good deal)
What kind of music do you like?
Lots. Queen particularly – I was lucky
enough to see Freddy Mercury
perform live at the NEC – awesome.
Bit of Take That and Tina Turner, I’ve
even seen the “Quo” live too.
What are your favourite films and
TV programmes?
Film - Knight and Day – I love the
song With Me, Without Me (and Tom
Cruise!). As for TV, I love The Vicar
of Dibley and Only Fools and Horses.
Describe your perfect night in and
perfect night out:
Night in – good bottle of Chablis
and/or bubbles after a winner! Don’t
get a night out – too many
commitments at home.
11
What do you do to take a break
from training – any hobbies or
favourite holiday destinations?
Summer time is fence building ready
for pony club camp, after hay making
that is. Holiday – Barbados or the
Caribbean.
Who would be your ideal travelling
companions to the races?
Sylvia Busby (nee Edmunds) we have
driven for hours in the car to meetings
together and natter the whole way.
Who are your biggest heroes – in or
out of racing?
In racing – Sir Mark Prescott, his
strike rate is unbelievable. Outside of
racing – Betty Boothroyd when she
was speaker in the House of
Commons. When she called for order
she meant it – unlike the muppet they
have now!
What has been your funniest
incident at the races?
Watching Jimmy Tarry at Bratton
Down – the horse fell, jumped the
fence and ended up in Bratton Down
bog. Jimmy’s breeches had split and
he was trying to get the saddle to ride
in the next race with his breeches
round his knees. Tracey Habgood
(Harley Equestrian) and I will
remember that visit for the rest of our
days.
Which particular horse would you
like to train – in Points and under
Rules?
Points – Theatre Queen; she is a lovely
mare and Mark Wall has handled her
exceptionally well. Under Rules –
Frankel; flat horses are a piece of cake
compared to jumpers.
If you hadn’t taken up training,
what would you have done instead?
Carried on working! I used to sell
computer systems, worked in the legal
profession and then went selfemployed providing computer training
and consultancy services.
www.pointtopoint.co.uk
20 January 2015
GOPOINTING
IN PROFILE | HEATHER KEMP
Which horses do you have at the
moment that you would say have
good potential?
Coole Avenue has come over from
Ireland to give Amy Harper her first
winner. Treacyswestcounty has
changed beyond recognition since he
fell off the lorry and slept for 24
hours after arriving from Ireland, and
Maythefirst, who has huge ability but
last year didn’t quite know how to use
it.
What ambitions do you have in
racing?
For every horse in the yard to win a
race.
What are your favourite courses
and meetings - and why?
Mollington every time. A true Pointto-Point course - I was gutted when it
closed and delighted when it was
resurrected. I rode a lot of winners
round there and to watch James
Jackson-Stops win the Lord Ashton of
Hyde’s Cup on Gidam Gidam was
unique.
“People don’t fully understand all the
aspects needed to run the sport and are
so quick to criticise”
What do you consider to be the
biggest challenges for Point-toPoint trainers?
Keeping horses fit and well, and
Owners happy.
What are your opinions on the
changes in Point-to-Pointing in
recent years?
I think that had not the PPA been
formed to allow Pointing to take
charge of its own destiny, Pointing
may not have survived. The trouble is,
people don’t fully understand all the
aspects needed to run the sport and
are so quick to criticise but never
volunteer their services. I challenge
many to define correctly: PPA, PtPRC,
PPORA, PPSA and explain who does
what.
What developments do you think
would benefit the sport in the
future?
Minimum first place prize money of
£200 whatever race you win, and
decent Owners’ mementoes.
Encourage the BHA to reinvest the
prize money won by amateurs into the
sport by way of grants, training
courses etc. Recently Sam WaleyCohen and Will Biddick were first and
second at Aintree. Their jockeys’
percentages go straight back to the
BHA which is, in my mind, very
unfair! Ok they are amateurs and
cannot be given that money
themselves, but it could at least be put
into the jumps side of the amateur
sport.
Gidam Gidam en route to landing the 2013 Lord Ashton of Hyde’s Cup under James Jackson-Stops
Photo: Phil Britt philbrittphotos.zenfolio.com
#gopointing
12
www.pointtopoint.co.uk
20 January 2015
GOPOINTING
LESS THAN
200 COPIES
REMAINING
#gopointing
13
www.pointtopoint.co.uk
from the opening meeting of the season in the Yorkshire Area - the Yorkshire Area Point-to-Point Club
at Sheriff Hutton
GOPOINTING
20 January 2015
SCENE & HEARD
#gopointing
Rider Richard Smith and Junior after his success in the Mens Open race
Photo: Nina Edminson nephotography.co.uk
14
www.pointtopoint.co.uk
20 January 2015
GOPOINTING
Royal Ascot, the Cheltenham Festival
and now Sheriff Hutton - all sites of
victories in the increasingly
extraordinary racing career of Junior,
following the gelding's Mens Open
success at the last-named venue on day
one of the 2015 Yorkshire Area Pointto-Point season.
Winless in 13 starts and over two years
since gutsing out an all-the-way
success in the 2012 Rehearsal Chase at
Newcastle, the Nicky Tinkler-trained
12-year-old's appetite for the job when
unable to dominate has been called
into question on occasion before and
since.
However, whilst the less generous side
of his nature did indeed periodically
come to the fore on this Pointing
debut, influenced in part by the
hassling of fellow pace influence Realt
Ag Leimt until three out, a galvanic
effort throughout from Richard Smith
kept his partner's mind enough on the
job to resist the late challenge of the
Tom David-ridden favourite
Woodview Prince to the tune of 1.5l.
All a world away from the scene of his
two biggest successes for Middleham
Park Racing, also the bill-payers when
Junior had landed the 2010 Ascot
Stakes and the 2011 Fulke Walwyn
Kim Muir Chase; and whilst victory
here (a first between the flags for
Middleham with their first ever
Pointing runner) will have piqued the
interest of some ante-post players on
the nascent Foxhunter markets,
connections played down suggestions
that the son of Singspiel was certain to
return to Cheltenham, much less
consent to record the remaining Open
win needed to qualify.
"I don't know yet - we'll hopefully win
another Open with him, but he's not
going yet," confirmed Tinkler, adding;
"You have to see with him from one
day to the next if he still has the heart
for it - he could still chuck the towel in
next time." Backers be warned.
Although the first in his name
specifically, Junior could conceivably
count as the second training success of
the campaign for Nicky Tinkler,
following the Larkhill victory of
Themanfromcork before Christmas. "I
think he goes again next week
somewhere in Devon," confirmed
Tinkler of the gelding he'd hunted
pre-season with the Derwent on
behalf of his mother, Baydon-based
Heidi Tinkler.
#gopointing
That "somewhere", of course, being
the Silverton fixture this Sunday at
Black Forest Lodge, for which
Themanfromcork holds an entry in
the Restricted.
The efforts of serving it up to Junior
for much of the first two and a half
miles inevitably caught up with Realt
Ag Leimt eventually, but his fading
into an eventual 32l fifth couldn't
diminish trainer-rider Dale Peters'
delight with the effort.
"That was amazing - I was outjumping
Junior all the way round on him!" the
Cambridgeshire-based 24-year-old
rightly observed. "He's got to go
hunter chasing, as he jumps so well maybe Ludlow next? Isn't Ludlow
right-handed?" It is. "He'd be great
around there, especially in a sub-3m
hunter chase with drier ground."
Just the sort of race, then, which
Ludlow typically serves up several
times per season.
"That was probably the hardest race of
his life," exclaimed Neil Mechie,
following Ockey De Neulliac's
successful defence of his Ladies Open
crown in a winning time half a second
faster than any other recorded over the
full trip on the afternoon.
It's not a claim without substance,
either, as the apparent comfort with
which the Catherine Walton-ridden 13year-old eventually registered a 2.5l
victory betrayed little about the severe
pace duel with former useful chaser
Gansey over the first circuit. "There
was a good pace all the way, starting
with that battle", Mechie added,
smiling; "People say he doesn't stay
3m1f, but he had to there!"
Notwithstanding the staying prowess
on display on this occasion, Mechie,
who co-owns the now six-time
Pointing winner with farrier Justin
Landy, was quick to agree when it was
suggested Ockey De Neulliac would
be one likely beneficiary of the AGA
Ladies Final's reduction in distance
from 3m4f to 2m7f this season. "That
would be the perfect trip for him, but
I honestly don't know if he'll still be
going by Stratford," he reasoned. "It's
a long old season when you've started
it on December 14th, especially
considering how much work he
requires. He needs his three sixfurlong canters every day, or else he
gets pig-headed - he really is that much
of a monster at home!"
15
Several horses to line up at Sheriff
Hutton had one thing in common namely, connections keen to avoid
them having to take on the returning
Cappa Bleu in the afternoon's one
hunter chase up at Kelso.
"Ockey would have had a double
penalty at Kelso, and we didn't fancy
going there to give 8lb to Cappa Bleu,"
confirmed Neil Mechie, adding:
"Giving weight away is something we'd
prefer to do later in the season. Before
the ‘Walrus' [at Haydock, February
14th], it'll either be Wetherby or Friars
Haugh for him next - probably the
latter. He'll enjoy carrying 11st again in
that."
Cottage Oak and Beggar's Velvet (the
latter after the overnight stage) were
others rerouted to North Yorkshire in
preference to Roxburghshire, but in
the event the threat posed by Cappa
Bleu proved lesser in practice than in
theory, as the 2009 Cheltenham
Foxhunter champion and dual Grand
National frame finisher could manage
just a third place finish - ironically
behind a North Yorkshire-hunted
winner in the form of Nowurhurlin
(Sarah Stilgoe/Nick Orpwood).
"I'm glad we won that - Joe [O'Shea,
trainer] would've been bankrupt if we
hadn't!" laughed owner Richard
Hewitt following the straightforward
victory of Cottage Oak under Gillon
Crow in division one, part two of the
YAPPC Members Conditions event.
"We were unlucky with the draw to get
the stronger half of the division, but
Joe was so confident that Cottage Oak
couldn't get beat. He must have had
about £900 on." Certainly the market
move from 3-1 to a best price of 11-8
for the one-time ‘Walrus' winner and
Cheltenham Foxhunter third seemed
partly predicated upon trainer O'Shea's
activity up and down the betting line
beforehand.
A repeat tilt at the ‘Walrus', where the
aforementioned Ockey De Neulliac
may lie in wait, looks on the cards for
a Flemensfirth 12-year-old now back
on track following two reverses
previously this term. "I'd like to go to
Warwick for the Willoughby De Broke
[January 22nd] before that, though, as
I'm still in the country then,"
continued Hewitt. "After that, back to
Aintree again? Certainly!"
Cottage Oak's 2014 tilt at the Aintree
Fox Hunters represented the first
occasion on which Gillon Crow had
www.pointtopoint.co.uk
Gillon Crow
Photo: Jackie Oliver graftonwood.co.uk
GOPOINTING
20 January 2015
SCENE & HEARD
“He’s a horse that’s very dear to me,
having carried me around Aintree.”
ridden him competitively. Nine
months on, victory here was the 30year-old's first on the gelding, but his
fiftieth between the flags all told (see
Landmarks).
"He's a horse that's very dear to me,
having carried me around Aintree like
that," smiled the rider, who continues
to combine race-riding with a day job
as letting agent for the Richard
Burton-run property specialists
Jackson Equestrian.
As anybody who was either present at
Sheriff Hutton or who followed
dispatches from the meeting on social
media will doubtless be aware by now,
division two of the Members
Conditions event proved to be by far
the day's most controversial.
To most eyes Best Served Cold's late
charge past a slew of tiring rivals
looked to have been timed perfectly,
and the announcement of a quickfire
#gopointing
Gillon Crow, Rider, Cottage Oak
double for Joe O'Shea, Richard Hewitt
and Gillon Crow surely inevitable.
however, an overturned verdict will
not be easily achievable.
Not so. In an instance that reminded
some present of Sonevafushi's
disputable verdict over Mister
Quasimodo in division one of the
same race three years earlier, the
Stephanie Easterby-trained Banny's
Lad, one of at least three horses to
hold the lead at some point after
jumping the last, was quickly called as
the neck winner under Jacqueline
Coward.
The use of a finishing chute at Sheriff
Hutton, and the siting of the judge's
trailer hard on the line at the end of it,
had already polarised opinions among
racing fans before this episode; and
there was acknowledgement even from
some of the winning connections this
time around that a less refutable
outcome could possibly have been
achievable. "I'm a big fan of a deadheat, and I might have given one
there," David Easterby suggested to
Richard Hewitt later. "I wonder if it
would help to cut a hole in the hedge
[behind the trailer] and stick the judges
further back."
A furious O'Shea was quick to
confirm that an appeal to the British
Horseracing Authority was likely.
Without official, judge-sanctioned
photographic evidence of the finish,
16
www.pointtopoint.co.uk
20 January 2015
GOPOINTING
SCENE & HEARD
Even so, it was possible to find some
who believed justice had been done. Jo
Mason, rider of the fast-finishing close
third Royal Deal, later noted on the
Jumping For Fun forum that Best
Served Cold led a stride after the line
but not before, and that Coward
congratulated Gillon Crow on crossing
the line in response to his fist pump "in true Jacqueline fashion being a
good sport" - rather than as a tacit
admission of defeat.
Lad/Best Served Cold controversy, the
O'Shea/Hewitt/Crow triumvirate was
back in the winner's enclosure with
Missing The Babe following a
Restricted sponsored by the Coniston
Hotel, sponsors and owners also of
Banny's Lad. Some of those present
additionally saw a certain ironic
humour in the mementoes presented
to winning connections including a
pair of binoculars!
Rather lost amidst everything else was
that Banny's Lad's victory shall go
down as a welcome first success for
Coward on just her second ride back,
following recovery from the bad injury
sustained in pursuit of the Ladies
National title at Umberleigh last June.
The victory of Missing The Babe
constituted no small feat of training
by O'Shea, given the Presenting
gelding's absence from a racetrack
since April 2013 with a leg. "The good
ones are worth holding on to,"
asserted Hewitt in explaining why all
concerned had persevered, "and he's
definitely good. He'll win hunter
Some things you can't make up. Just
over half an hour on from the Banny's
chases - in fact, he'll win the [Subaru
Restricted Series] Final."
Allowed plenty of time to convalesce
back at Hewitt's Anglesey property,
the still lightly raced nine-year-old
returned to O'Shea "as big as a
bullock. I said to Richard: ‘Are you
wanting me to train him for the 2016
season if he's that fat?'"
Missing The Babe was already getting
the better of the argument with his
Jack Teal-ridden market rival
Burtredgipandgump, when the latter's
eagerly-awaited first start since
defeating subsequent useful bumper/
hurdle winner Desilvano last February
ended abruptly with an unseat two
fences from home.
There was still plenty positive for
trainer-rider Teal to take from the day,
The closing stages of division two of the Members Conditions race - Banny’s Lad (centre), Best Served Cold (left - orange cap) Photo: Sweet Photography
sweetphotography.com
however, not least the success of the
improving Fureys Bar in the opening
leg of the Members Conditions race
division one that opened his account
for the season. In front for most of
the way when helping Teal record his
first ever Pointing success at Witton
Castle the season before last, the
seven-year-old half-brother to good
chasers Meanus Dandy (also a multiple
British Point winner) and Newbay
Prop proved equally amenable to more
patient tactics here, picking up with
aplomb when asked to wear down the
leaders up the run-in.
"He came home big time, but I only
thought I'd won when they called it!"
beamed Teal, currently employed at
the Rainbow Equine Clinic in Malton
after his tenure as an amateur with
#gopointing
Malcolm Jefferson came to an end. "I
can't work him properly at home as
he's too keen - it's strong canters or
nothing."
three! We had them in last year for
Phil to ride, and we thought we'd keep
running them whilst we've got them."
Darlington County had found only
Fureys Bar too good when the two
clashed in the Bilsdale Hunt Members
race at Easingwold last May. On that
occasion the Caroline Dennis-trained
gelding had been ridden by her son
Phil, but with the latter having turned
conditional in the interim it was John
Dawson - contrariwise a rider recently
returned from the paid ranks - that
booted the son of Oscar to victory in
the 3m Open Maiden this afternoon.
A one-time inmate of Donald
McCain's Cholmondeley operation,
and a half-brother to the useful former
chaser Railway Dillon (fourth to
Banny's Lad earlier on the same card
on debut for Christine Drury),
Darlington County had placed twice in
three quick starts last term despite still
being - according to current
connections - "a skeleton of a horse."
The propensity to stay 3m effectively
in due course had never been in doubt,
however.
"John will ride for us this season when
available", confirmed Caroline's
husband Chris, adding; "We've got two
in for Pointing this season, possibly
"We ran him over 2m4f at Alnwick on
his comeback, thinking he'd need it,
but we always knew he'd get the longer
trip," continued Chris Dennis. "He's
17
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20 January 2015
GOPOINTING
SCENE & HEARD
not the quickest and he's a bit lairy, but
he could act better in a Restricted when
they go a bit faster. The [first-time]
cheekpieces today were John's
suggestion."
with Malcolm Jefferson. "I bought The
Manager very cheaply from Ireland and
got him to finish second at Easingwold
and Garthorpe last spring, but this is the
first ever win."
A fabulous day for Bilsdale horses was
completed by the victory of The
Manager - the third successful
representative on the afternoon for that
hunt, after Fureys Bar and Darlington
County - in the concluding 2m4f Open
Maiden, a race run in fast-dwindling
light well after 4pm.
A Friday pupil at the Northern Racing
College between the ages of 14 and 16,
working tenures have since followed
with Alan Brown, Philip Hobbs ("I
came back, as I missed home") and the
aforementioned Jefferson, the latter of
whom he rode three times for in chases
as a conditional early in 2013 before
weight issues prompted a rethink. "I
work for Tony Coyle now, but I couldn't
tell you what I look after, as they tend to
give horses pet names there!"
Another race to change character
dramatically late on, albeit this time on
account of final-fence exits, the Jack
Jordan-trained and ridden gelding
seemingly looked booked for no better
than third prior to the late fall of leader
Morianour that left closest pursuer Part
And Parcel with nowhere to go ("He
was carrying me at the time, but that's
your luck sometimes," declared the lastnamed's rider Dale Peters subsequently).
Not that the eventual winning rider had
too many qualms about grabbing the
opportunity presented him: "I definitely
got lucky at the last, but I'm not
complaining," smiled Jordan, 21 years
old and, like Jack Teal, a former rider
#gopointing
A smattering of outside rides with
Vicky Easterby and Andrew Nicholls
was secured during last season, but no
more than that. "It's so hard to get the
leg up on a Pointing horse unless you're
a ‘name'," Jordan reflected; though a
few more tidy performances aboard The
Manager to go with those already
recorded can only serve to aid the young
rider's cause.
"I don't know who you write for, but
please give a mention to Jackie and John
Teal. My horse lives with their horses,
18
and they've been a huge help to me" The Manager's trainer-rider Jack Jordan
immediately remembers to place credit
where credit is due.
Putting to one side both the contentious
judging decision and the close run thing
daylight-wise, organisers of the YAPPC
fixture can reflect on several aspects of
the latest renewal with a great deal of
satisfaction.
In particular, the final turnout of 102
runners is not only the highest ever
recorded in eight fixtures at Sheriff
Hutton, but also the first triple-digit total
of runners at any Yorkshire Point since
the Sinnington attracted 111 starters in
February 2011 (and the only other one
since the Badsworth & Bramham Moor
(February) fixture at the defunct
Wetherby Point-to-Point track in 2003).
The fixture also continues to raise funds
for the Yorkshire Air Ambulance service
at an impressive rate, with the latest
bucket collections augmented, according
to Jo Mason, by a £4,000 cheque
presented to the Air Ambulance
representative on the afternoon.
www.pointtopoint.co.uk
20 January 2015
GOPOINTING
Emma Todd tells owner Richard Hewitt how she did it after
winning the Ladies Open at last season’s Ratcheugh Racing
Club meeting at Alnwick
Photo: David Simpson
RIDER PROFILE
EMMA TODD
by Carolyn Tanner
Emma Todd has not had the advantage
enjoyed by many of her
contemporaries, that of being brought
up with horses - her father is a manager
at one of the leading supermarket
companies and her mother is a legal
secretary - but through her own
endeavours has become, in a relatively
short time, a very competent jockey
whose mounts are ignored by punters
at their peril.
It was through spending time with her
mother's relatives in Ireland that her
interest in horses grew, to the extent
that, when she left school, she opted
for equine studies at Bishop Burton
College. It was while there that she saw
an advertisement for the British Racing
School, and in 2006 she completed the
nine-week diploma course at the
Newmarket venue.
A placement with John Quinn
followed, after which she spent time
with Caroline Bailey, when there was
plenty of opportunity to go Pointing,
and she gained further experience
during 18 months with Henrietta
Knight before moving to Hannah
#gopointing
Lewis, for whom she had her first ride
on Jukebox at Garnons in 2009.
She finished sixth, "but I nearly fell off
five times," she laughed. The ten-yearold proved to be an unsuitable
schoolmaster, and their remaining three
attempts included two run-outs.
She spent that summer in America, and
on her return she joined the Sheriff
Hutton yard of Tim and Gill Walford,
whose son Mark was assistant to John
Quinn during Emma's time there and
has since taken over the training at
Cornborough Manor from his father.
She has been working there full time
for five years.
Brochure was another unsatisfactory
mount for her between the flags in
2010, but whereas plenty of riders
would have hung up their boots at
reading Mackenzie & Harris's comment
which described her as "a girl whose
adhesion to the saddle is minimal,"
Emma is made of sterner stuff, and the
following season she acquired Madison
De Vonnas, "who taught me
everything."
19
At the age of 23 she opened her
account on the French-bred at
Easingwold in 2012, and the following
year seven winners were enough to earn
her the joint runner-up spot in the
National Novice championship. She
was also novice champion in Yorkshire,
and second to Jacqueline Coward in the
senior area title. Had the
aforementioned scribes still been
penning their prose, a helping of
humble pie could be on their menu.
A badly broken collarbone, which
required an operation, sustained when a
horse went over backwards with her at
home meant a truncated campaign in
2013/14, so she is hoping to make up
for lost time this year. A ride round
Cheltenham, a Hunter Chase success she has a hurdles victory to her name in
addition to her ten Pointing wins - and
a crack at the area title are on her wish
list.
She already has support from owners
and trainers, as is evident from her rides
for four different yards so far this
season, but like most jockeys she would
appreciate the offer of more
opportunities when availability allows.
www.pointtopoint.co.uk
20 January 2015
GOPOINTING
Mr Mercurial and Paddy Gerety
Photo: Julie Drewett racehorsephotos.co.uk
FIRST INTERMEDIATE RACES OF 2015
The first Intermediate of 2015 was
run at Larkhill, and it was won in a fast
time by David Rogers's highlyregarded Mr Mercurial, who had made
the 200 mile journey from Sheila
Crow's Shropshire yard.
"Our horses aren't as far forward as
usual, so I wasn't confident going into
the race," admitted rider Paddy Gerety,
"but he travelled really easily, although
he did blow up turning into the
straight."
Paddy was disappointed that the
seven-year-old had been unable to
fulfil his potential last year due to a
few niggly problems, but he appears to
have benefited from a pre-season soft
palate operation.
#gopointing
Men's Open is on the agenda prior to
a possible Hunter Chasing campaign,
and the Connolly's Final at
Cheltenham (for which he didn't
receive an entry in 2014 despite
qualifying through his second place at
Ystradowen) would, felt the jockey, be
an ideal race to aim for.
The weekend's other Intermediate was
at Black Forest Lodge, and it produced
an impressive winner in Repeat
Business, partnered by James Tudor
for his trainer cousin Jonathan, and
owned by the latter's sister Andrea
Bird.
The well-supported son of Croco
Rouge, who cost €21,000 as a threeyear-old, was bought at Doncaster in
20
2013 for £3,500 by James, who had
been handed a shortlist of six from
which to choose, plus the wherewithal
to make the purchase!
"It was always the plan to go steadily
with him last season [during which he
was twice successful from his four
outings] and make an early start in
2015," explained James, who had
returned from a skiing holiday only the
previous day.
Connections have the Connolly's final
as a long-term aim, and for James, it
would be a hat-trick attempt, having
triumphed in 2013 on Harbour Court
and last year on Sharp Suit.
www.pointtopoint.co.uk
20 January 2015
GOPOINTING
#gopointing
21
www.pointtopoint.co.uk
TRAINER TALK
PAULINE & DOUG HARKIN
Husband and wife team Pauline and Doug Harkin are probably best known
for their association with the prolific Doctor Kingsley writes Jake Exelby
#gopointing
22
www.pointtopoint.co.uk
20 January 2015
GOPOINTING
The 13-year-old has won 16 of his 36
races, including Hunter Chases at the
Cheltenham evening meeting in May
for the last three years. All this after
failing to win until he was nine, having
been beaten on his first 13 outings and
earning the dreaded “double squiggle”
in the form book!
Pauline recalls what Doctor Kingsley
used to be like: “He had a really bad
attitude - it was all about managing his
mind. We used to have to train him on
his own, keeping him away from other
horses and turning him out in our
furthest field. We schooled him in
blinkers and with the whip and he’d
still run out. We bought him from his
previous owner for £500, just as a
hunter really. We’d almost given up
on him.”
lead of the National Hunt trainers
championship for a few days… and on
her birthday too!
“She makes Doctor Kingsley look like
a Shetland pony” said Doug of the
Popaway, who they bought in 2012
after the mare had won a Maiden race.
“She gallops with Doctor Kingsley
and is a class act, as well as being an
alpha-female” continued Pauline.
“She’s probably best over two-and-ahalf miles and we’re targeting her at
the Aintree Foxhunters this year.”
Young horses to watch from the yard
include Sea Rock, owned by landlord
David Allen, who was third to the
useful Nigel Twiston-Davies hurdler
Blaklion in Ireland last year and is a
Doug takes up the story: “He
started to change when we took
him jumping over the crosscountry course at Gawcott near
Brackley. He refused the first time
but gradually got used to it. After
that, when we next ran him (at
Whitfield in February 2011), we
decided not to use blinkers but try
ear-plugs. And he won!”
From there, the horse went from
strength-to-strength, winning
twice more that season and then
going unbeaten throughout the
2011/2012 season, including a
devastating victory in a very fast
time at Guilsborough and
culminating in him landing the
spoils in the Intermediate Hunter
Chase Final at Cheltenham, where
he came from a long way behind in
desperate ground to lead close home.
Since then, Doctor Kingsley was
fourth in the Cheltenham Foxhunters
in 2013 – “He had colic two days
before the race and I was up all night
with him walking him round to get
over it, “ recalls Doug. “The whole
village knew we were hoping to run,
and we didn’t want to let them down.”
He has subsequently returned to his
favourite National Hunt course for
two consecutive victories in the Mens
Open Hunters’ Chase Final.
But Pauline and Doug’s stable is far
from being a one-horse yard. Along
with Doctor Kingsley’s first win at
Cheltenham, their best day in racing
was last year – also at Cheltenham,
when Popaway completed the first leg
of a double, which put Pauline in the
#gopointing
regardless of the weather. As Pauline
says, “It’s good for their heads and we
make sure they’re well rugged-up. We
send them out in pairs and they
become friends with each other”. And
Doctor Kingsley certainly seemed
happy on a bleak, wet January day –
although maybe that was down to the
Polos he was being fed!
It’s all quite different from where
Pauline started out as a trainer. “I just
had four boxes and a bit of set-aside
land to work the horses on, just down
the road from here” she tells me. “I
was an owner-trainer-rider, and didn’t
start riding in races until I was 30. I’d
graduated from having my own
hunter, to racing in team chases, so
thought I’d give Point-to-Pointing
a go.”
Her first winner was Money From
America and her career highlight
was winning the Pytchley
Members race at Guilsborough
on Supreme Dream. “I beat some
really good horses that day” she
reminisces, “as well as taking
home all the trophies on offer –
winning owner, winning rider,
first female jockey home, first
farmer and first owner-rider!”
Stable star, Doctor Kingsley and Pete Mann
Photo: Julie Drewett racehorsephotos.co.uk
half-brother to the former Philip
Hobbs trained chaser Farmer Jack, and
Glory Hunter, who ran well at
Cottenham recently, despite losing his
irons as early as the second fence.
In total, they have 20 in training this
year, up from 12 in 2014, at
Blackgrounds Farm just outside
Chipping Warden, near Banbury. They
train on land owned by David Allen –
who has 20 horses in training – where
they share the estate with National
Hunt trainers Alex Hales and Ben
Case. Facilities include a grass gallop,
with schooling fences, hurdles, and
two all-weather gallops, one of which
is a steep climb, “great for getting our
horses fit”, according to Doug.
Their training regime differs from
many other yards as they like to turn
their horses out in the field every day,
23
Coincidentally, Pauline and Doug
had their first “date” at
Guilsborough too. They met
when Doug – brought up on a
cattle station in Western
Queensland - came to England on
a Nuffield scholarship to study
the beef industry. He contacted
Pauline, a fellow Nuffield scholar
with a vast knowledge of cattle and
they “clicked immediately” at he puts
it.
Over to Pauline. “I invited him to
come Point-to-Pointing and he didn’t
know what I was talking about until I
explained it was racing. I was so
nervous with him there that I fell off
(her words)… on the flat”. The
relationship blossomed despite that
hiccup and they’ve now been married
for seven years.
I’ll let Pauline have the final words.
“I’d love to win the Cheltenham
Foxhunters one day, but what’s more
important is that the horses are happy.
We celebrate every winner with
champagne, but just as important is
the bubbles we toast them with when
they come back safe and sound.” An
honourable sentiment.
www.pointtopoint.co.uk
2014 Point-to-Point Pony Racing Champions (L-R): Catherine Pullan
(RaceTech), Tamby Welch (RaceTech 138cms Point-to-Point Pony Racing
Champion Rider), Joshua Bryan (RaceTech 148cms Point-to-Point Pony Racing
Champion Rider), and Amelia Glass (2014 RaceTech Pony Racing Graduate)
Photo: David Simpson
GOPOINTING
20 January 2015
PONY RACING NEWS
RACETECH CONFIRM
SPONSORSHIP FOR POINT-TOPOINT PONY RACING
Point-to-Point Pony Racing is
delighted to announce that RaceTech
has confirmed their continued support
to the sport for the 2015 season, so
will again be sponsoring a number of
highly popular initiatives throughout
the season.
Maggie Carver, Chairman of
RaceTech said: “RaceTech is very
pleased to continue our close
association with Pony Racing for the
coming season. Over the past few
years, since we have been involved, we
have seen some real rising stars
graduate through Point-to-Point Pony
Racing, then onto the Racecourse
Series and now making their mark in
the professional ranks, it’s really been a
privilege to see and support these
young jockeys and share in their
success.
“Sometimes it’s not just about
winning, it’s about the taking part,
getting involved in racing at every
level, the dedication of parents,
grandparents and whole families,
getting ponies fit in the cold wet
winter months, riding out in the dark
#gopointing
before or after school, learning about
nutrition (equine and human!), striving
to improve and be the best you can –
those qualities are so evident amongst
the pony racing community.
“RaceTech provides technical services
to the racing industry and for us, these
pony racers are the future of our sport
and our business – with the
competitive spirit that we see there, we
are in good hands for the future.
Crack on and good luck to all this
season!”
Mike Felton, MFH, Chairman of the
Point-to-Point Pony Racing
Committee said: “We’re extremely
pleased to have RaceTech as the
national sponsor of Point-to-Point
Pony Racing. The initiatives they
support are vital to the progression of
the sport and most importantly the
children taking part. The Novice Rider
Series is an integral part of the pony
racing calendar and gives those new to
the sport and those who are perhaps
not as confident, the chance to
compete on a level playing ground.
The Champion Rider Points Series run
throughout the season for both
138cms / 148cms ponies and riders,
gives the more experienced,
24
competitive children something to
compete for with the presentations at
Cheltenham Races in October being a
real highlight for the winners who are
presented with their prizes in the
winners enclosure in front of their
families and the racing public. Amelia
Glass, who scored the most points
during the 2014 season as a rider
eligible to ride in Point-to-Points in
2015, has generously been sponsored
by RaceTech under the Riders
Sponsorship Scheme (RSS) and will be
cutting her teeth between the flags
during 2015 so is one to look out for.”
The initiatives which are
generously sponsored by RaceTech
are:
The 2015 RaceTech Novice Riders
Race Series
This is the third year of the highly
popular “RaceTech Novice Riders”
Race Series which will see 14
qualifying races being staged. Those
finishing in the first four will be
eligible to enter the final at the 2015
Point-to-Point Pony Racing
Championships hosted by the Meynell
& South Staffordshire Point-to-Point
at Garthorpe on Saturday, 30th May
www.pointtopoint.co.uk
20 January 2015
GOPOINTING
PONY RACING NEWS
2015. If entries permit two races - one
for each size category (138cms/
148cms) will be staged.
So as to make sure the series appeals
to its target audience, which is children
who want to have a go but don’t want
the pressure of competitiveness from
seasoned pony racers, the race
conditions have been modified so that
it’s very much a race for Pony Club
and hunting-type ponies and the
novice rider, as can be seen from the
race conditions below:
For riders who have never won an
OPEN PtP Pony race or an OPEN
Pony Club Race and who have NOT
taken part in the Summer racecourse
Series. For genuine Pony Club and
hunting-type ponies measuring
148cms & under. Ponies may NOT
have been placed 1st-4th in any
OPEN PONY CLUB race or any
OPEN POINT-TO-POINT pony
race since the 1st January 2013. Ponies
may NOT have competed in the
Charles Owen Summer Racecourse
Race Series either. Combinations
winning two of the qualifying races
won’t be eligible to enter further races,
until the final at the Championships.
The Rider’s Championship Points
Series
The Rider’s Championship Points
Series will run throughout the season
for both 138cms and 148cms riders. It
has become a highly competitive affair
with points being allocated to the first
four past the post. The rider from
each height category with the most
points at the end of the season will be
presented with their prizes at
Cheltenham Races in October. It
seems the most natural venue for the
event being the home of National
Hunt Racing and gives the award
winners a taste of what might come
following their time pony racing.
The RaceTech Graduate award
The Rider who gains the most points
throughout the season via the
Champion Points Series and who
plans to go on and ride in Point-to-
Point Races the following year will be
offered sponsorship via the Riders
Sponsorship Scheme (RSS) from
RaceTech. Amelia Glass (who features in
Getting To Know You this week) has
received the sponsorship this year and
her mother, Camilla, said upon
receiving the news: “We’re really
appreciative of the sponsorship
provided by RaceTech as it has gone a
long way to help offset the various
costs associated with applying to ride
in Point-to-Point races especially for a
first timer. With the sponsorship funds
we have been able to purchase a
significant amount of kit and most
importantly it has covered the cost of
the Riders Qualification Certificate
(RQC) and the mandatory medical
that all first time riders must have.”
The RSS is a sponsorship initiative
created by the Point-to-Point
Authority, which enables riders to
source sponsorship to assist the costs
associated with riding.
For further information please
contact: Lucy Tucker 01258 817604/
07771 518258
[email protected]
2015 RaceTech Novice Riders Race Series - Qualifying Races
Meeting
Course
Date
Entries close
Area
North Norfolk Harriers
Higham
Sun, 22 Feb
Sun, 15 Feb
East Anglia
Bicester with Whaddon Chase
Whitfield
Sun, 15 Mar
Sat, 7 Mar
South Midlands
Lanark & Renfrewshire and Eglinton
Overton
Sat, 21 Mar
Mon, 16 Mar (12.30pm)
Northern
Mendip Farmers
Ston Easton
Sun, 22 Mar
Sun, 15 Mar
Wessex
Old Surrey, Burstow & West Kent
Penshurst
Sun, 22 Mar
Sat, 14 Mar (8.00pm)
South East
Southdown & Eridge
Godstone
Sun, 29 Mar
Sat, 21 Mar (8.00pm)
South East
Taunton Vale
Lingston St Mary
Mon, 6 Apr
Mon, 30 Mar
Wessex
Cotswold
Andoversford
Sun, 12 Apr
Sun, 5 Apr
West Midlands
Old Surrey, Burstow & West Kent
Penshurst
Sun, 18 Apr
Sat, 13 Apr (8.00pm)
South East
Lauderdale
Mosshouses
Sat, 2 May
Sat, 25 Apr
Northern
Radnor & West Hereford
Cold Harbour
Sun, 3 May
Sun, 26 Apr
Welsh Border
Dulverton West
Bratton Down
Sun, 17 May
Sat, 9 May
Devon & Cornwall
Grafton
Whitfield
Sun, 17 May
Sat, 9 May
South Midlands
Knutsford Races
Tabley
Sun, 17 May
Sun, 10 May
North Western
#gopointing
25
www.pointtopoint.co.uk
Photo: Julie Drewett racehorsephotos.co.uk
GOPOINTING
20 January 2015
PONY RACING ENTRIES
sponsored by
Waveney Harriers at Higham
Sunday, 25 January
148cm & Under Open Race
Beside the Sea
Benoit de la Sayette
Green As Grass
Arron Butterfield
Gwen
Joe Bradnam
Pepsi III
Francesca Flinton
Tennants Super
Laura Pearson
Warmwell Thomas
Honor Whyte
138cms & Under Open Race
Boolagh Mississippi
Emma Buckle
Chaceside Catwalk
Benoit de la Sayette
Covenham Generation
Luke Scott
Dough Boy
Noah Brazg Carrell
Honky Tonk Girl
Brad Kent
Longbourne Rose
Ted Featherstone
Mouse
Poppy Scott
Penway Merlin
Alexandra Geldard
Reuben
Benjamin Bromley
Silaz
Will Featherstone
#gopointing
26
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20 January 2015
GOPOINTING
IN THE FRAME
Who was capturing the action last weekend?
Two of the three scheduled meetings
went ahead over the weekend, with
just the West Percy at Alnwick falling
victim to frost.
This meant that there was still room
for photographers to flex their shutter
fingers; on Saturday at Larkhill both
#gopointing
Julie Drewett (racehorsephotos.co.uk)
and Tim Holt ([email protected])
were in action for the Royal Artillery
fixture. Tim was also present at the
Silverton at Black Forest Lodge on
Sunday, with Alun Sedgmore
(sportingprints.biz) in attendance as
well.
Westcountry Videos
(westcountryvideos.co.uk) had a full
weekend - they captured all the action
from both of the surviving meetings.
Julie Drewett racehorsephotos.co.uk
Royal Artillery at Larkhill
Tim Holt [email protected]
Royal Artillery at Larkhill
Tim Holt [email protected]
Silverton at Black Forest Lodge
Alun Sedgmore sportingprints.biz
Silverton at Black Forest Lodge
27
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GOPOINTING
20 January 2015
TOP TWEETS
hashtag your tweets
#GoPointing to feature!
@LydiaRThomas
Silverton P2P race course at @BlackForestLod1 today. Fabulous
view. #horseracing #GoPointing
@DME_dwards
racehorse to riding horse back to racehorse. @LarkhillRacing
Maiden Div2 winner Briefcase. #GoPointing
@m4xyoung
@GoPointing our runner Ash Red (div 1 maiden) hampered at
the 5th. Good sit from jock. #unlucky
@Nickthebat
33/1 Winner for Chloe Newman @BlackForestLod1 with
Michael Dare's Genermouse ridden by @Joshua_N3wman
#GoPointing
#gopointing
@kateleckenby
Just know the p2p is gonna be on n I'm not gonna
be able to get the wagon out... I will not be good
company today! Can't #GoPointing
@ChrisHonour
My 1st runner became my 1st winner today,
pointing at black forest lodge. #coombehilllegend
@Annie_Dalton01
It's a bloody long way to Black Forest Lodge!!
#GoPointing #alongwayaway
@ruckerroo
Off to Black Forest lodge , had a three bears
breakfast as it's going to be a long day
#GoPointing
@BethEckley88
Can I start getting excited about next Sunday yet?
Mine at Vics 2nd run together at Chipley Already pack and cleaned kit! :) #GoPointing
@K_scottracing
Sunday night and already can't stop checking the
met office to see the chances of Jedforest going
ahead next Sunday #gopointing #goKalastar
28
www.pointtopoint.co.uk
Fantastic recipes from AGA to complete your Pointing Picnic
GOPOINTING
20 January 2015
PICNIC POINTERS
in association with
TRIPLE CHOCOLATE BROWNIES
Ingredients
A well tried and tested recipe which all ages seem to love. It
contains three types of chocolate; plain melted, chocolate
powder (or cocoa) and white chocolate chips!
Serves 16
• 115g (4 oz) cream cheese
• 115g (4 oz) plain chocolate, melted
• 225g (8 oz) soft brown sugar
• 115g (4 oz) soft margarine
• 115g (4 oz) self raising flour
• 1 tbsp cocoa
• ½ tsp vanilla extract
• 3 free range eggs, beaten
• 115g (4 oz) walnuts, chopped
• 115g (4 oz) white chocolate chips
Method
Line an AGA half size roasting tin or an AGA half size shallow
baking tray with Bake-O-Glide. Place all the ingredients into a
bowl and mix well together. Pour into the tin.
2-oven AGA
Hang the tin on the lowest set of runners in the Roasting Oven
and slide the cold plain shelf on the third set of runners down
from the top. Bake for about 30 minutes until risen and springy to
the touch.
3 and 4-oven AGA
Hang the tin from the third set of runners in the Baking Oven.
Bake for about 30 minutes until risen and springy to the touch.
Cool on a wire rack and cut into squares.
Conventional cooking
Cook at 180°C (350ºF), fan oven 160ºC, Gas Mark 4 for about 30
minutes until risen and springy to the touch.
To keep in touch with all things AGA click here to sign up to
our Newsletter
If you’re heading to Cocklebarrow this weekend for the
Heythrop Hunt Point-to-Point these delicious AGA baked
triple chocolate brownies will be a welcome addition to your
pointing picnic. There will be a free heated picnic/family
marquee available so if it’s a bit nippy in the fresh air you can
enjoy your picnic in the warmth. As an added bonus, if you try
the recipe and bring the brownies to Cocklebarrow you’ll get a
free copy of the ‘Been Pointing’ Annual, and the first 5 people
will also get one of our trendy AGA bobble hats (pictured)!
Make sure you Tweet or Facebook your photos using the hash
tag #PicnicPointers.
OOOOOOO
#gopointing
29
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The final fence at Overton, the venue for the Dumfriesshire &
Stewartry meeting on 8 February
Photo: Grace Beresford p2pnorthernphotos.co.uk
GOPOINTING
20 January 2015
FIXTURES 2014/15
Fixtures in Blue denotes Pony Racing at the meeting
Sun 8 March
Blackmore & Sparkford Vale, CHARLTON HORETHORNE
College Valley & North Northumberland, ALNWICK
Cottesmore, GARTHORPE
Derwent, CHARM PARK
Dulverton Farmers, TREBOROUGH HILL - Abandoned
Mid Surrey Farmers Drag, GODSTONE
Sir W.W. Wynn's, BANGOR-ON-DEE
Suffolk, AMPTON
Sun 25 January
Heythrop, COCKLEBARROW
Jedforest, FRIARS HAUGH
Tiverton, CHIPLEY PARK
Waveney Harriers, HIGHAM
Sat 31 January
West Percy, ALNWICK - Rearranged Fixture
Sun 1 February
Cambridgeshire with Enfield Chace, HORSEHEATH
Mid Devon, BLACK FOREST LODGE
South Dorset, MILBORNE ST ANDREW
South Durham Hunt Farmers Club, MORDON
Sat 7 February
Cambridge University Draghounds, COTTENHAM
Sun 8 February
Combined Services, LARKHILL
Dumfriesshire & Stewartry, OVERTON
South Midlands Area Club, WHITFIELD
South Wold, BROCKLESBY PARK
Southdown & Eridge , GODSTONE
Sat 14 February
Western, WADEBRIDGE
Sun 15 February
Midlands Area Club, THORPE LODGE
Percy, ALNWICK
Sinnington, DUNCOMBE PARK
South Pool Harriers, BUCKFASTLEIGH
Vine & Craven, BARBURY RACECOURSE
Sun 22 February
Albrighton & Woodland (North), CHADDESLEY CORBETT
Countryside Alliance Club (Wessex), BADBURY RINGS
Curre & Llangibby, HOWICK
East Cornwall, GREAT TRETHEW
North Norfolk Harriers, HIGHAM
South East Hunt Club, CHARING
Sat 14 March
Crawley & Horsham, PARHAM
Duke of Buccleuch's, FRIARS HAUGH
East Essex, MARKS TEY
New Forest, LARKHILL
Sun 15 March
Bicester with Whaddon Chase, WHITFIELD
Curre & Llangibby, HOWICK
Dart Vale & Haldon Harriers, BUCKFASTLEIGH
Hampshire, HACKWOOD PARK
Holderness, DALTON PARK
Ross Harriers, GARNONS
Sat 21 March
Hurworth, HUTTON RUDBY
Lanarkshire & Renfrewshire and Eglinton, OVERTON
V.W.H., SIDDINGTON
Wilton, MILBORNE ST ANDREW
Sun 22 March
Holcombe, WHITTINGTON
Lamerton, KILWORTHY
Mendip Farmers, STON EASTON
North Ledbury, HEREFORD RACECOURSE
Oakley, BRAFIELD-ON-THE-GREEN
Old Surrey, Burstow & West Kent, PENSHURST
Sat 28 March
Avon Vale, LARKHILL
Berwickshire, FRIARS HAUGH
Glamorgan, YSTRADOWEN
Puckeridge, HORSEHEATH
United Pack, BRAMPTON BRYAN
Sun 29 March
Badsworth & Bramham Moor, ASKHAM BRYAN COLLEGE
Belvoir, GARTHORPE
Cotley, COTLEY
East Cornwall, GREAT TRETHEW
Flint & Denbigh, BANGOR-ON-DEE
Ledbury, MAISEMORE PARK
Southdown & Eridge, GODSTONE
Sat 28 February
East Devon, BISHOPS COURT
Thurlow, HORSEHEATH
Sun 1 March
Brocklesby, BROCKLESBY PARK
Quantock Staghounds, COTHELSTONE
South Herefordshire, GARNONS
Tynedale, CORBRIDGE
Sat 7 March
Brecon & Talybont, LLANFRYNACH
Duke of Beaufort's, DIDMARTON
Kingston Blount Racing Club, KINGSTON BLOUNT
#gopointing
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20 January 2015
GOPOINTING
Fixtures in Blue denotes Pony Racing at the meeting
FIXTURES 2014/15
Sat 2 May
Lauderdale, MOSSHOUSES
Modbury Harriers, FLETE PARK
Pendle Forest & Craven, HESLAKER
Surrey Union, PEPER HAROW
Tredegar Farmers, LOWER MACHEN
Sat 4 April
Ashford Valley Tickham, CHARING
Croome & West Warwickshire, UPTON-UPON-SEVERN
Essex & Suffolk, HIGHAM
Kimblewick, KIMBLE
Ludlow, BITTERLEY
Middleton, SHERIFF HUTTON
Monmouthshire, LLANVAPLEY
North Staffordshire, SANDON
Portman, BADBURY RINGS
Spooners & West Dartmoor, CHERRYBROOK
Vale of Lune, WHITTINGTON
Woodland Pytchley, DINGLEY
Sun 3 May
Devon & Somerset Staghounds, HOLNICOTE
Fernie, DINGLEY
Radnor & West Hereford, COLD HARBOUR
Mon 4 May
Banwen Miners, LLWYN FARM
Cattistock, LITTLEWINDSOR
East Sussex & Romney Marsh, ALDINGTON
Enfield Chace with Cambridgeshire Hunt, NORTHAW
North Shropshire, EYTON-ON-SEVERN
Stevenstone, VAUTERHILL
Warwickshire, MOLLINGTON
Zetland, WITTON CASTLE
Mon 6 April
Cumberland Farmers, DALSTON
East Kent with West Street, ALDINGTON
Four Burrow, TREBUDANNON
North Cotswold, PAXFORD
Old Berkshire, LOCKINGE
South Notts, THORPE LODGE
South Pembrokeshire, LYDSTEP
South Shropshire, EYTON-ON-SEVERN
Staintondale, CHARM PARK
Taunton Vale, KINGSTON ST MARY
Vine & Craven, HACKWOOD PARK
Sat 9 May
Cumberland, ASPATRIA
Kimblewick, KINGSTON BLOUNT
Minehead Harriers and West Somerset, HOLNICOTE
Sun 10 May
Bilsdale, EASINGWOLD
Four Burrow, TREBUDANNON
Melton Hunt Club, GARTHORPE
Wheatland, CHADDESLEY CORBETT
Sat 11 April
Essex, HIGH EASTER
North Warwickshire Hunt Club, MOLLINGTON
Teme Valley, BRAMPTON BRYAN
Ystrad Taf Fechan, YSTRADOWEN
Wed 13 May
Weston & Banwell Harriers, COTHELSTONE
Sun 12 April
Bedale, HORNBY CASTLE
Cheshire Forest, TABLEY
Cotswold, ANDOVERSFORD
Eggesford, UPCOTT CROSS
Morpeth, TRANWELL
Pytchley, GUILSBOROUGH
Tedworth, BARBURY RACECOURSE
Sat 16 May
Clifton-on-Teme, UPPER SAPEY
Fitzwilliam (Milton), DINGLEY
Gelligaer Farmers, LOWER MACHEN
South Durham, MORDON
Sun 17 May
Dulverton West, BRATTON DOWN
Golden Valley, BREDWARDINE
Grafton, WHITFIELD
Haydon, HEXHAM
Knutsford Races Club (formerly North West Point-to-Point Club), TABLEY
Sat 18 April
Dartmoor, FLETE PARK
Kimblewick, KINGSTON BLOUNT
Llangeinor, DUNRAVEN STUD
Old Surrey, Burstow & West Kent, PENSHURST
Worcestershire, CHADDESLEY CORBETT
Sun 24 May
Berks&BucksDraghounds&SandhurstDraghounds,KINGSTONBLOUNT
West Somerset Vale, COTHELSTONE
West Wales Area Club, LYDSTEP
Sun 19 April
Atherstone, CLIFTON-ON-DUNSMORE
Braes of Derwent, CORBRIDGE
Cleveland, MORDON
Cotswold Vale Farmers, ANDOVERSFORD
Seavington, LITTLEWINDSOR
West Norfolk, FAKENHAM
Mon 25 May
Albrighton & Woodland (South), CHADDESLEY CORBETT
South Tetcott, UPCOTT CROSS
Sat 30 May
Meynell & South Staffordshire, GARTHORPE
Sat 25 April
Berkeley, WOODFORD
Chiddingfold Leconfield & Cowdray, PARHAM
Fife, BALCORMO MAINS
Quorn, GARTHORPE
Sun 31 May
Border, HEXHAM
Exmoor, BRATTON DOWN
North Hereford, HEREFORD RACECOURSE
Sun 26 April
Axe Vale, STAFFORD CROSS
Cheshire, TABLEY
Farmers Bloodhounds, WHITFIELD
South & West Wilts, LARKHILL
Tivyside & Carmarthenshire, LYDSTEP
York & Ainsty, EASINGWOLD
#gopointing
Sat 6 June
Pembrokeshire, TRECOED
Sun 7 June
Tiverton Staghounds, BRATTON DOWN
Sat 13 June
Torrington Farmers, UMBERLEIGH
31
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20 January 2015
GOPOINTING
#gopointing
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