(Pictured is the 2017 winner of the Bishops Court Cup, Das Mooser)
CLOSING 12 NOON MONDAY 23rd APRIL
FRIDAY, 27th APRIL (E), 2018
The KFM Hunters Steeplechase for the Bishopscourt Cup of €15,000 (Generously sponsored by KFM)
Of which the second will receive €3,000, the third €1,500, the fourth €750 and the fifth €375
A steeplechase for † Certified Hunters four yrs old and upwards the bona fide and unconditional property of farmers farming land in the Kildare Hunt District and in their possession since 1st January, 2018. Sons and daughters of persons qualified to enter, working on their parents' farms and who have no other occupation, are eligible to enter horses, their bona fide property, in this race. Exclusions - The winner of a race other than a race for which a Hunters Certificate is required or an I.N.H. Flat Race.
About two miles and four furlongs over the Bush Fence Course
Weights: 4-y-o ....10st 9lb;
5-y-o .......... 11st 7lb
6-y-o and up ...................................... 11st 11lb
Mares allowed .............................................. 7lb
Penalties - (to count from 1st January, 2016) Winner of a steeplechase to carry 5lb extra for each steeplechase won.
Riders - Qualified Riders under I.N.H.S. Rules
† A Hunters Certificate valid in accordance with Rule 78 for the 2017/2018 season for each horse engaged signed by a Master for one of the following Packs, Kildare Hunt, South County Dublin Harriers or Tara Harriers must be registered at the Office of the I.N.H.S. Committee, The Curragh, on or before April 20th, 2018 or the horse will not be qualified to start. N.B. Immediately after the closing of entries a Committee of the Kildare Hunt will examine the entries as to their qualifications under these articles, after which no objection in this regard will be entertained. The Bishopscourt Cup will be presented to the winning owner and KFM will also present trophies of no intrinsic value to the winning trainer and rider and €130 to the groom in charge of the best turned out horse in this race
The Star Best For Racing Coverage Champion Hunters Steeplechase of €30,000 (Generously sponsored by The Star Newspaper)
Of which the second will receive €6,000, the third €3,000, the fourth €1,500 and the fifth €750
A steeplechase for † Certified Hunters four yrs old and upwards that have between 5th October, 2014 and 22nd April, 2018 in Ireland or Great Britain, been placed first, second, third or fourth in a steeplechase confined to Certified Hunters or in a Point-to-Point Steeplechase and which have not won a *race after 1st March, 2017 other than a Certified Hunters Steeplechase or a Farmers Race
About three miles and 120 yds
€240 to enter, €60 extra if declared to run
Weights: 4-y-o ....10st 11lb;
5-y-o ........ 11st 9lb
6-y-o and up .............................................. 12st
Mares allowed .............................................. 7lb
Riders - Qualified Riders under I.N.H.S. Rules
† A Hunters Certificate valid in accordance with Rule 78 for the 2017/2018 season for each horse engaged must be registered at the Office of the I.N.H.S. Committee, the Curragh, Co. Kildare not later than April 20th, 2018, or the horse will not be qualified to start. In the case of horses from Great Britain, Hunters (Master of Hounds) Certificates must have been duly registered at the Racing Calendar Office, Wellingborough. The Stewards of the I.N.H.S. Committee have modified the Rules to permit horses for which Master of Hounds Certificates have been registered with the Jockey Club and which are eligible to run in Hunters' Steeplechases in Great Britain to run in this race. However, horses with a Master of Hounds Certificate that have run in any race other than a Hunters' Steeplechase since 1st November, 2017 are excluded. *Including races under any National Hunt Rules or Rules of Racing The Star Newspaper will present a trophy of no intrinsic value to the winning owner, trainer and rider and €130 to the groom in charge of the best turned out horse in this race. The winning owner will also receive a perpetual trophy presented by the family of the late Walter Tyrrell. HRI Directive 10 (vi) is suspended for the purpose of this race. Should it be necessary to reduce the number of declared runners to twenty five or to such a lesser number as may be required, elimination of the remaining runners will be at the discretion of the N.H. Handicapper. The Handicapper's decision shall be final. (International performances will be taken into account and the latest date for assessment by the Handicapper will be 10 a.m. on Monday, 23rd April, 2018)
CLOSING 12 NOON TUESDAY 24th APRIL
SATURDAY, 28th APRIL, 2018
The Dooley Insurances Cross Country Steeplechase of €15,000 (Generously sponsored by Dooley Insurances)
Of which the second will receive €3,000, the third €1,500, the fourth €750 and the fifth €375
A steeplechase for five yrs old and upwards
About three miles over a special Bank/Chase Course
€105 to enter, €30 extra if declared to run
Weights: 5-y-o ...................................... 11st 2lb
6-y-o & up ............................................ 11st 7lb
Mares allowed .............................................. 7lb
Penalties - (to count from 1st January, 2016) Winner of a steeplechase to carry 5lb extra for each steeplechase won. No penalty to increase a horse's weight beyond 12st 7lb. Riders: 1. Riders who hold a Licence under I.N.H.S. Rules 2. Riders who hold a Licence under National Hunt Rules to ride in Steeplechases issued by any Recognised Turf Authority. 3. Riders who hold a Category ''C'' Permit to ride under I.N.H.S. Rules 4. Riders who hold a Permit to ride in Steeplechases issued by any other Recognised Turf Authority. The Stewards of the I.N.H.S. Committee have suspended Rule 78 to enable horses which run in this race (excluding the winner) to retain their Hunters Certificates for the remainder of the 2017/2018 Point To Point Season.
The Stewards have also suspended Rule 135 (iv) (c) and (v) for the purposes of this race. The Kildare Hunt Perpetual Cup, kindly given by the Ashmore Family will be presented to the winning owner. In addition, Dooley Insurances will present a trophy of no intrinsic value to the winning owner, trainer and rider and €130 to the groom in charge of the best turned out horse in this race.
