Capturing the atmosphere of sport
HUNT-RACING enthusiasts will be delighted to learn that John Beasley’s popular Big Green Annual 2017 is now available. And, as usual, the many colour images in this 192-page hardback book capture the excitement and atmosphere of point-to-point racing.
Ace photographer Bournemouth based Beasley says he loves visiting Wales, not only for the warm welcome he receives but for the great sense of fun at the races, and adds he’s grateful to David Brace of the Dunraven Stud in Pyle for his support of the annual over the years.
However, not all the stunning pictures were taken by Beasley as wellknown Caerphilly equestrian photographer Alun Sedgmore, no stranger to this page, has provided some of his own – as have other photographers.
As well as a month-by-month report, there are a number of features.
Owner/trainer Andrew Quick, from his home near Cowbridge, gives his take on the past season and writes: “Training four horses started off being a bit of a stretch as I was doing it mostly on my own, but after Christmas a young lady called Morgan Gomez-Jones asked if she could ride out. She’s very reliable and confident and has taken a lot of pressure off.”
Lucy Thomas, who has been honorary secretary of the Pembrokeshire Hunt point-to-point for the past two seasons, in her interesting article says advertising is important and that: “We run an area advert in the Western Mail for the four West Wales meetings.”
Lucy says that publicity is vital and she also claims that: “Staging a point-to-point is an expensive business which is why we rely on volunteers. The cost of marquees, toilets, skips, PA system etc rise each year and we notice medical costs go up.”
The spectacular success of Pembrokeshire’s 16-year-old James Bowen – younger brother of the much-talented Sean Bowen, who won about every award that he could have won – is well recorded with pictures of him winning races at different meetings up and down the country.
And yours truly writes about four of the best Welsh point-to-pointers I have had the pleasure of writing about in more than half-a-century of reporting on the Welsh hunt-racing scene – Tom Morgan’s Mandryka, Rose Harry’s Fitz, Bill Evans’ Timber Tool and Brenda Harries’ Handsome Harvey.
And if it’s future winners you’re after then Mike Connaughton gives his list of unexposed horses to follow throughout the season.
John Beasley’s Big Green Annual can be obtained from Paleface Publications, 30 Thistlebarrow Road, Bournemouth, Dorset, BH7 7AL. It costs £26.95 plus p&p £4.95. Preview pages online at www.paleface-point2point.co.uk.
Meanwhile, Welsh riders have been warming up for the start of the Welsh season with the Curre & Llangibby fixture at Howick near Chepstow on February 18. At Larkhill recently Jordon Williams riding Emlyn Parry’s Ballycash won the restricted race and Lorcan Williams won the men’s open on Rose Loxton’s Monseur Gibralta, while at Cottenham Hannah Lewis took the ladies’ open race on Bound For Glory.
How times change! Last season we were lucky if there were 10 bookmakers in attendance at the Welsh point-to-points. A far cry from the 1980s when there would be 30 to 40 bookmakers in attendance every meeting and some gentlemen of the satchels would have to fight tooth and nail to get a pitch.
I can also remember the time when the point-to-points in Wales also had an official tote where one could place a two shilling (10p) bet.
James Bowen, pictured above being interviewed by Brian Lee, won the Rhys Howells Memorial Handicap Chase at Chepstow last Saturday on Lord Bryan, owned by Gwyn Brace and his daughter Jayne and trained by James’ father, Peter Bowen.