The Stewards of the INHS Committee have announced key initiatives for the 2019 Spring Point to Point Season.  A series of auction races for four-year-old maidens will be introduced in the regions specifically designed for horses that were bought or sold at public auction in 2018 for €25,000 or less. 

The venues selected to stage the races are North Down 9th March, Brosna 23rd March, Dromahane 14th April and Bree 28th April. To qualify to run, horses must have been bought or sold in 2018 under the hammer at the Goffs Land Rover Sale, Goffs U.K. Spring Store Sale, Tattersalls Ireland May Store Sale, Tattersalls Ireland Derby Sale and Tattersalls Ireland August Sale. 

Another new initiative sees the introduction of a valuable race (€5,000) at the Doneraile (H) Point to Point fixture at Dromahane on 28th April. 

The race is confined to six-year-old and upwards horses that have not won a race under the rules of racing or steeplechase rules at any time and who prior to the start of the current Point to Point season (6th October 2018) have not won a Point to Point steeplechase.  The race is primarily targeting the traditional older Point to Point horse.

A number of new amendments to the Hunters Steeplechase licence requirements on the racecourse are being introduced to encourage more licensees and more participation of runners in this category.  The main changes are:-

•    the restriction to family owned horses and a minimum of 2 horses to be removed.
•    Licence holders also to be permitted to run horses in all races that require Hunter Certificates e.g. Point to Point Bumpers and Bank Races.

The remainder of the criteria will still apply - successful completion of a practical assessment at RACE, stable inspection and interview by the Licensing Committee.

Commenting on the changes, Philp McLernon, Chairman of the Point to Point Committee said:

“The auction race initiative will cater for the least expensive horses purchased at the various recognised sales in 2018 which is most welcome and hopefully will be fully supported by all handlers.  It has the backing of the Point to Point Handlers Association. 

"The introduction of a valuable race for the older pure Point to Pointer type will encourage handlers to keep the older horses in training and we will endeavour to introduce more of these races throughout the regions in future. 

"The rule amendment to the Hunters Steeplechase licence requirement should encourage more participation of runners in Hunters Steeplechases on the racecourse which is warmly welcomed.”

Details of conditions will be published in the 2019 Spring Provisional Summary of races on the website at www.ihrb.ie