Point-to-point restart ‘will only benefit the elites’
The Government’s decision to ease restrictions on point-to-point meetings from April 10 will benefit ‘the elites of the sport’ and not local owners, according to a member of the sport in North Cork.
Liam O’Doherty of the Kilworth and Araglen Point-to-Point, said that the decision will only benefit those who have young horses, who are traditionally the big money breeders and not the hobbyists.
“This won’t benefit the fella with the six or seven year olds. This decision is only looking after the elites. The minister (for Agriculture - Charlie McConalogue TD) has no interest in the point-to-point at all. Politicians are just waffling in the media, they want their bread buttered on both sides.
“It’s all grand for them saying one thing publicly and then saying something different in a parliamentary meeting. The minister is from Donegal and he has no interest in anyone down here,” he said.
MORE HAS TO BE DONE
Mr O’Doherty continued, “They are opening up for owners with four or five-year-olds, it will not change anything for people like us. This is not going to help with horse sales for the ordinary owners.
“Running the point-to-points like this only suits the elites, it doesn’t suit the ordinary two-thirds of horse owners who can’t run their horses. It is welcomed there is an effort to restart them, but more has to be done,” he said.
Liam said that the concerns for local horse owners was that by not having races, there will be no way for them to score a victory in the events and this will effect the resale value of horses.
March 2020 saw Covid-19 cause a host of fixtures to be cancelled throughout the year, however points did manage to proceed locally in West Waterford ( Tallow), Knockanard (Avondhu), Kildorrery (Duhallow) and Lismore (West Waterford), with the Kilworth & Araglen Points meeting being held (minus the public) just before the nationwide cancellation. However, it’s two years now since Doneraile, Ballynoe, Bartlemy and Ballindenisk, along with many others nationally, were in a position to host a meet.
SITUATION TO BE REVIEWED
For their part, the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board (IHRB) issued a letter to the secretaries of point-to-points nationwide, to appraise them of the new situation.
The letter outlines that the only point-to-points that will be run in April will be on racecourses and will cater for only four to five year old horses and all point-to-point meetings outside of this have been cancelled.
It was envisaged that from April 10, Cork Racecourse would the first such location for a race. The situation would be reviewed at the end of April when a decision will be made regarding May fixtures and whether or not it is possible to resume the traditional point-to-points.
The letter, seen by The Avondhu, said that the organisation is conscious that running meetings on the racecourse is not in line with the ethos of point-to-pointing, but that due to the ‘ unprecedented times’ they must abide by decisions made by Government.
They asked for the support of all members to ensure its success and also said they would welcome any assistance.
‘SOME WELCOME RELIEF’
In a press release, Brian Kavanagh, Chief Executive of Horse Racing Ireland, said that the limited restart is welcome.
“(It) will allow handlers to run their horses in these important categories. The meetings will be subject to the same Covid protocols that have served us well since racing resumed last June and hopefully will provide some welcome relief for the point-to-point community,” he said.