Equestrian News NI » point to point

Sun Shine and Crowds at Randox Point to Point

News Desk — Mon, 04 May 2015 09:09:02 +0000

Press Eye – Belfast – Northern Ireland – 25th April 2015 -
RANDOX KILLULTAGH POINT-TO-POINT.

The annual Randox Point-to-Point at Crumlin, once again attracted bumper crowds who turned out for the two day point-to-point steeplechases. Situated on what is widely regarded as the premier point-to-point track on the island of Ireland, the weekend’s event (24^th and 25^th April) did not disappoint with multiple All Ireland Champion Derek O’Connor registering a double on Saturday partnering Ballycross to victory for Templepatrick trainer Colin McKeever and leading local owner Wilson Dennison followed by Chosen Dream at the fifth. O’Connor also recorded a brace of winners during Friday evening’s session having scored with Sister Saragh at the first and Frost at the fifth.

Thousands enjoyed the spectacle and the sunshine and the increasingly popular event also boasted food and drink outlets, as well as portrait painting, crafts and even horse hair ceramics, all provided by the Prince’s Trust charity.

Randox Point to Point Getting Set for 24th and 25th April

News Desk — Thu, 16 Apr 2015 06:26:06 +0000

Global biotechnology firm Randox is delighted to once again host the Killultagh, Old Rock and Chichester Hunt Point-to-Point Steeplechases at Crumlin, County Antrim.

The Randox Point-to-Point will take place on Friday 24^th and Saturday 25^th of April, at Largy Road in Crumlin, on what many have described as the premier Point-to-Point track on the island of Ireland!

Point-to-Points are now firmly established in national hunt racing, with several champion horses starting their careers on the Irish Point-to-Point circuit, including several Grand National Winners, last year’s Randox Point-to-Point was no exception; Classic Place, winner of the Dennison’s Commercials 4 year old geldings maiden, was sold to Gigginstown House Stud (owned by Ryanair’s Michael O’Leary) and is now trained by Ireland’s top National Hunt trainer Willie Mullins.

Duke Arcadio won the Stonebridge Premium Feeds 5 year old confirmed maiden and is now trained by Donald McCain in England, Duke Arcadio then went on to win at Ayr at his next outing.

Pumped Up kicks won the Delta Packaging Mares winner of three, she is now owned and trained by Dan Skelton in England and has won two further races at Perth.

Randox Managing Director, Dr Peter FitzGerald said:

“We are pleased to once again host the Point-to-Point where champions are made. As an award winning diagnostics company, we succeed because we are ahead of the curve and so we support events which encourage entrepreneurship, team work and healthy competition! We look forward to this year’s two day meeting where we might spot the next Cheltenham Gold Cup or Aintree Grand National winner.”

This popular event isn’t just for racing enthusiasts, everyone is welcome to enjoy the food stands, craft stalls and family festivities. General admission is £5 per person, with free entry for children under the age of 16. The first race on Friday 24^th of April will start at 4pm; on Saturday 25^th of April, the first race takes place at 2pm.

Mid Antrim Postphone Point to point Scheduled for 4th Oct

News Desk — Mon, 29 Sep 2014 07:32:58 +0000

Unfortunately due to the hard ground the Mid Antrim Hunt Point-to-point scheduled for 4th October has had to be postponed and we will let you know the new date as soon as it has been confirmed by the Turf Club.

Busy Competition Season Ahead for Mid Antrims

News Desk — Wed, 24 Sep 2014 08:15:33 +0000

Saturday 4th October Mid Antrim Hunt Point-to-Point at Higgins Estate, Moneyglass, 1pm.

Saturday 11th October Jump Cross at Castlehill Equestrian Centre, Ballymena. Classes suitable for every level. Phone Beverley on 07960699161.

Saturday 25th October Hunter Trials at Hamiltons’s farm, Knockan Rd, Broughshane. Novice singles and pairs, Open singles. Phone Judith on 07904342222

These are exciting times for the Mid Antrim Hunt who have a busy programme of events leading up to the hunting season.

The Race Committee members of the Mid Antrim Hunt are hard at work at the moment as they are preparing for their Autumn point-to-point at the Higgins Estate, Moneyglass on Saturday 4th October. Davy Crawford, Clerk of the Course, his assistant Paul Ferguson and their team have re-birched all the fences and the course is looking good. It will be very well watered if there is not enough rain leading up to 4th October. The new running rail was a great success in the spring, adding to the professionalism of an already smart course. For this point-to-point, schooling will be allowed after the racing has finished, subject, of course, to the weather, and the organisers are delighted to welcome several exciting new sponsors of the event. The first race starts at 1pm.

Not only are the point-to-point fences and course being prepared, but work is also well under way for two more events as the following week on 11th October there will be a Jump Cross competition at Castlehill Equestrian Centre with classes for all levels of horses and ponies including lead rein. The children involved in the Inter Schools jumping will hopefully be able to compete this too as the start time will not be too early. In addition to this there will be a Hunter Trials at the Hamilton family’s farm in Broughshane on 25th October with additions to the very successful course built last year and classes for singles and pairs .

Following this, the hunting season proper will begin with the Children’s Meet on Wednesday 29th October and the Opening Meet on Saturday 1st November at Connor village. The Mid Antrim Hunt are delighted to welcome their new huntsman, Colin Brown, who has been hard at work preparing the new hounds for the coming season and reminding the old ones of their job. Autumn Hunting started several weeks ago, and great progress is being made with the hound training and integration of the new hounds into the pack. This has been made even more pleasurable with the beautiful autumn weather and hounds, horses and riders have had some very early starts to avoid the heat of the day. The huntsman has been well assisted by the new kennelman Matthew Andrews who has been a great help with the hounds when not busy on his fallen stock duties. The many farmers who have been into the kennels with their fallen stock will have met the new team, and been impressed with all the changes at the kennels, including the smart new fallen stock shed, as were the many members and supporters who attended the Barbeque in early September to meet the new huntsman and kennelman.

So there is plenty to look forward to for the Mid Antrim Hunt members this coming season and they would also like to welcome the new members to the club.

For enquiries about the Jump Cross at Castlehill on 11th October please phone Beverley on 07960699161. For the Hunter Trials on 25th October please phone Judith on 07904342222.

Mid Antrim Point to Point Prepare Grand National Big Screens

News Desk — Wed, 26 Mar 2014 07:49:09 +0000

Joel Johnston of Donnelly & Taggart with William Thompson & Paul Ferguson and Coolidge

On Saturday 5th April punters can get two racing events for the price of one, as they can watch the Mid Antrim Hunt Point-to-Point at the Higgins estate, Moneyglass, and can also enjoy the excitement of the Aintree Grand National while relaxing with a pint in the bar tent. McLarnons are providing two large TV screens to cover the Grand National and there will be the normal programme of races for the point-to-point. The Mid Antrim Hunt are very grateful to the sponsors who are supporting this event. For a second year Donnelly & Taggart are very generously sponsoring the main race of the day which is the Open Lightweight Race. Donnelly & Taggart supply most of the major makes of 4×4 vehicles and are closely connected to the farming and equestrian community. When there is a tough challenge with difficult weather or heavy loads to pull, their vehicles are in a class of their own, and the Mid Antrim Hunt is very grateful that they have returned for a second year to support their point-to-point. The first race is for Maiden 4 year olds and Dennison Commercials are very valuable supporters of this race which they have sponsored for many years. Another generous supporter, Albert Bartlett & Sons are sponsoring the race for Maiden 5 year old geldings and McBurney Transport have shown their continued support by sponsoring the Maiden Race for 6 year old plus Geldings. This year there is a particularly special race in the programme which is dedicated to the memory of the very much missed Master Andy Hamilton. Andy, who was a Master of the Hunt until his death last November, was very active in racing circles and always put a huge amount of effort into the Mid Antrim racecourse preparation, regardless of his illness. This race is sponsored by Andy’s wife Judith together with his two good friends David Crawford and Richard Cowan and no doubt it will be a very emotional event.
For this point-to-point David Crawford of “The Garage” has taken up the challenge of acting as Clerk of the Course ably assisted by Paul Ferguson and a great team of helpers. Katrina Mackie who has previously fulfilled this role is injured after a skiing accident and unable to take part.
The point-to-point committee are hoping for a great day and looking forward to a very exciting double bill of live racing with the Grand National viewing as an extra bonus. The Higgins family have as usual been very supportive in keeping the course in great shape for the point-to-point and all the sponsors are very much appreciated for their loyalty. Last but not least are the farmers to whom the Hunt are very grateful for all their support and hope they will take a break from their work to come and enjoy the racing.

Route Hunt Preparing for Point to Point Races on Sat 5th Oct

News Desk — Tue, 01 Oct 2013 07:41:06 +0000

Saturday 5^th October is the start of The Route Hunt race season with their autumn Point To Point Races at Carrowclare Road, Myroe, Limavady, Co Londonderry. Racing starts at 1pm with six different races in which horses have the opportunity to achieve best turned out and /or race winner.

The course is a very level track with no rise or decline of any significance. A little over seven furlongs in circumference. Horses start at the bottom of the straight and jump two fences in the straight on slight rise, pass post and turn left handed across top of track to third fence before quickly turning along long back straight. Fence four comes up early in the back straight and further along the back straight on slight decline the fifth fence is jumped before racing to the end of the back straight and racing on long left handed turn to the straight where a full circuit is complete.

This is a great training ground for race horses with PRIDE OF THE ARTIC going on to win Latin Galway chase at Galway festival in 2012 and also Grade 3 novice chase in Tipperarry,NEWBAY PROP going on to win Paddy Power Chase at Leopardstown in 2007, ZEMSKY going on to win Cheltenham Foxhunters in 2011 and SIMONSIG going on to win at Cheltenham in 2013,all previous runners at Myroe.

The Route Hunt are grateful to all those who are sponsoring races and the volunteers who help in preparing the point to point course and the running of the point to point as well as all the landowners who give the use of their land for hunting throughout the season.

As well as horse racing and a host of book makers for those who like a bet, there will be a bar and a tea tent serving freshly prepared sandwiches, tray bakes, tea and coffee where friends and family both young and old can socialise and discuss the potential winners of the day.

If you are looking for a great day out, why not come along, bring your family and friends, pick a winner and enjoy some refreshments and the view of Binevenagh and the stunning North Coast.

The first hunt of the season is on Saturday 12^th October 2013.For further details on this or about joining the Route Hunt please contact the Hunt Master (Philip White 07732630963) or the Hunt Secretary (Julie Smith 077932009899)