Youngsters help boost point-to-pointing
YOUNG horses have helped give point-to-pointing a boost, and the future of the sport is looking promising, insiders believe.
Four-year-olds made a “significant contribution” to the increased number of runners at fixtures in the 2016/17 season.
Hunter certificates for this age group were up 17% on 2015/16 and are at their highest ever level.
The participation rates of four-year-old pointers between January and June rose from 94 runners in 2015, to 120 last year and 125 this year.
The number of four-year-old winners has also had a marked increase, with 20 winning at point-to-points in 2015, 19 in
2016 and 34 this year.
Point-to-point trainer Alan
Hill told H&H that these numbers are “encouraging”.
“I think this is mainly due to our professional counterparts getting more confidence in young British point-to-point horses, and buying them to go on under Rules,” he said, adding that this encourages more point-topoint trainers to ensure they are investing to supply that demand.
Mr Hill commended the impact good sponsorship of pointto-point series has had on the success of these young horses and the sport, and added that courses which have worked to maintain good ground have benefited from large numbers of declarations.
“There are a lot of people putting a lot of hard work in [to
maintaining good going],” he said.
Although the number of hunter certificates issued overall dropped slightly, the 1.5% decline is the smallest decrease since 2010 and six out of the 14 areas increased the number of certificates issued.
“We have to remember we have been through a severe economic climate, as well as foot-and-mouth and also summer jump racing, which has all had an impact on point-to-pointing,” said Mr Hill.
“It seems to have now levelled out and hopefully we will start to see an increase.”
The first point-to-point bumper, at Barbury in January, was a success, with the field split due to the high number of runners. The aim of this was to encourage young horses in the sport and six bumpers are planned for the 2017/18 season.
Field sizes overall had an average increase last year, with maiden mares’ and conditions races proving particularly popular.
Clare Hazell, chief executive of the Point-to-Point Authority, told H&H initiatives put in place to widen the appeal of the sport are “showing signs of bearing fruit”.
“The race programming committee plays an essential role, as it works to ensure the race programme fits the pool of available horses — their work should be applauded,” she added.