In the first of our two-part A-Z review of the 2019/20 point-to-point season, we begin by focussing on the autumn campaign which saw a total of 24 fixtures taking place from Toomebridge in early October right through to the busy Sunday of racing in December at Borris House, Boulta and Tattersalls Farm.
5th October – Toomebridge
As has become the tradition in recent years, Toomebridge once again held the honour of opening the new season, with the introduction of a new procedure at declarations, where horses could not be declared without a passport present to inspect for flu vaccinations. It’s introduction followed the Equine Flu outbreak in Britain from earlier in the year.
Jamie Codd and Denis Murphy combined to win the first race of the 2019/20 campaign with Gale At Sea and they would go on to record a double with Alan Harte’s Yes Des Taillons later on the card.
The winner-of-one saw point returnee Some Man get the better of Samurai Cracker in what would prove to be a smart race, as both would go one to enjoy success in Hunter Chase company on the track.
%uD83D%uDD39%uD83D%uDD195 OCTOBER 2019 %uD83D%uDD39
— Tattersalls Cheltenham (@tattscheltenham) March 23, 2020
The 2019/2020 autumn @irishp2p season got underway at Toomebridge and past graduates start appearing on the racetrack, we take a look back at how the season unravelled.
The first 4yo race was won by @BallyboyStables and @JJCodd pic.twitter.com/24SLd0QV8Z
6th October – Castletown-Geoghegan
The Castletown-Geoghegan fixture remembered the late Carol Ross, long-time declarations clerk for the hunt at what was their first point-to-point since her passing in July.
On the track, Barry O’Neill dominated riding one of two four-timers that we would enjoy during the season, with success aboard Mr Josiey Wales, Pennyforapound (successful on the same card 12 months earlier), Do Your Job and Pyrios. The latter winning his second maiden having been disqualified after initially winning at Loughanmore in the Spring.
The Open on the card lived up to its reputation with Space Cadet leading home quality performers Some Are Lucky, Reigning Supreme and track recruit Vyta Du Roc. Gearoid O’Loughlin’s winner would go on to land the valuable Randox Ulster National at Downpatrick later in the season.
18yo Ben Harvey got his season off to a good start when guiding Space Cadet to victory in the Open at Castletown-Geoghegan on Sunday for @GearoidOLoughli & @Chrisjo69714881
— p2p.ie (@irishp2p) October 8, 2019
He is the first rider to star in season 3 of our NextGen feature.
READ MORE - https://t.co/zfPK1NCrTa pic.twitter.com/3yP6nGD7FP
13th October – Loughrea
Former Irish Gold Cup hero Edwulf returned to the pointing sphere and made a winning open debut on what was his one and only start for Enda Bolger. The son of Kayf Tara returned to Joseph O’Brien and ran in two subsequent Hunter Chases that season at Down Royal and Naas, without getting his head in front.
Tony Kelly, the son of Cheltenham Festival winning trainer Pat Kelly, sent out his first winner as a handler. The former British-based jockey was only having his first runners in that role when Captain Jimmy opened his account in the older maiden in what also proved to be a first success for 17-year-old Leaving Certificate student James Duggan.
19th October – Portrush
Eddies Miracle lived up to his name, as in front of a large attendance at the seaside venue, he overcame a life-threatening injury, sustained at Kirkistown 11 months earlier, to record his first success of the season for a visibly emotional handler David Christie, who enjoyed a double on the day. Eddies Miracle would remain unbeaten for the season and was ultimately crowned Champion Point-to-Point Horse.
Stephen Connor cemented his new partnership as stable jockey for the Colin McKeever-Wilson Dennison outfit, when Ballyadam ran out an impressive debut victor of division two of the four-year-old maiden. He was subsequently sold for £330,000 to race in the Cheveley Park Stud colours and Gordon Elliott, and opened his rules account for that combination with an impressive Bumper success at Downpatrick later that season.
%uD83D%uDCAC "It would have been hard to say no."
— p2p.ie (@irishp2p) November 23, 2019
Stephen Connor discusses the successful start to his new association with Colin McKeever and Wilson Dennison, and the exciting recent Tattersalls Cheltenham Sales topper Ballyadam.
FULL STORY %u25B6 https://t.co/ljvtjqWW1q pic.twitter.com/NgS45Soue1
20th October – Tinahely
It was a new look organising committee for the Shillelagh & District committee which included Vicki Donlon, Marketing, Sponsorship and Events Manager at Leopardstown Racecourse who was joined in the secretary role by Niamh Rothwell, wife of trainer Philip, however one constant at the venue remained the same, as Jamie Codd once again took home riding honours, with a treble on the afternoon.
Better B Quick rolled back the years as he won his first race since the final day of the 2017 season at the age of 13, causing something of an upset in the Open for Tiernan Power and Michael Murphy.
26th October – Loughanmore
Having sustained a shoulder injury at Castletown-Geoghegan on the opening weekend of the season, former champion Derek O’Connor was in the wars once again, as he was concussed in a heavy final fence fall during the opening contest, a race which had been delayed by 55 minutes due to the late arrival of a doctor.
On her return to the point-to-point sphere, Holycross Lito easily lowered the colours of the reigning champion mare Longhouse Music, confirming her pervious defeat of Sam Curling’s charge from a winners’ contest at Largy in 2017. The performance would see Sean and Noel McParlan’s Beneficial mare crowned Champion Mare at the end of the season.
27th October – Knockinroe
Richie Deegan enjoyed a double, the opening leg coming courtesy of Brave Way, who continues a good weekend for handler Warren Ewing, with two of his horses having finished second in four-year-old maidens at Portrush 24 hours earlier.
27th October – Dowth Hall
The weather gods once again looked favourably on Dowth Hall, as the organisers reported that a record crowd turned out under blue skies to enjoy another memorable day of racing and family fun as part of the popular Country Fair.
The veteran Better B Quick doubled up within seven days as he swiftly followed up his success at Tinahely seven days earlier by getting the better of Some Are Lucky in the Open under regular pilot Tiernan Power.
The Hunt also made a presentation to Dr. Carlos McDowell on her retirement. A former consultant at the nearby Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda for 29 years, she had acted as a doctor at their point-to-points across three decades prior to her retirement.
Record crowds yesterday at our 2019 Point to Point & Country Fair at Dowth. A glorious day which celebrated the very best of community, country life and horse racing. Thank you to everyone who joined us. See you next year! #DowthP2P pic.twitter.com/jOP91LTtad
— Dowth Point To Point (@dowthp2p) October 28, 2019
2nd November – Kinsale
The South Union hunt made a return to hosting an autumn fixture, with the Kinsale card opening the Cork-Waterford season. Disappointingly for them, the adjacent maiden produced the sole walkover of the season, as It’s Only Me opened her account for John Barry and Jay Leahy.
The winner-of-one brought a family success for the Allen’s when their Concrete King won the second race of his career for brothers Sean and Darragh. The Morozov gelding would go on to win again at Kilfeacle and Ballyarthur, as well as putting up a creditable performance at 66/1 to finish third in a Clonmel Hunter Chase.
3rd November – Damma House
Broodmare Celestial Silver achieved the rather more unique achievement when two of her off-spring, Ryans Cave and Mamaslittlestar, her first and second produce, were both among the day’s winners. The former featured as part of a first ever double for rider Brian Lawless. The Wicklow native would go on to share the Under-21 title with Ben Harvey, who was also successful on the card, partnering Mala Beach to win the Open for Gordon Elliott.
It was also a day to remember for Carlow native Tommy Mahon, as he recorded his first success when combining with local handler Tony Mullins’ Man On The Run in the five and six-year-old geldings’ maiden.
3rd November – Moig South
The opening leg of the ITM Ladies Series produced a thrilling finish as Lisa O’Neill and Liz Lalor had to share the spoils when their respective mounts, Space Cadet and Fenno’s Storm, dead-heated in the Ladies open.
There was a big success for Cian Hughes, as he sent out Yousayitbest to win the four-year-old geldings’ maiden on debut before then being sold to Bloodstock Agent Alex Elliott for £220,000.
There was also a notable pedigree in the winner’s enclosure following the mares’ maiden, with Paul Pierce’s initial victor of the campaign, Immortality, being an own-sister of Willie Mullins’ Grade 1 winner Laurina. She was subsequently sold to Gordon Elliott following the success.
9th November – Lisronagh
Having suffered what had been a rare defeat following 13 successes last season when second to Holycross Lito, the horse that would ultimately take her Champion Mare crown at Loughanmore, Longhouse Music returned to winning ways when easily winning the Mares Open for a second year in succession under Derek O’Connor.
Former rider turned handler, Con McSweeney, started his season off well, as his first runner of the campaign, Railway Hurricane, won a division of the four-year-old maiden. McSweeney would end the season with a 66% strike rate thanks to the later success of Russellsway at Boulta.
10th November – Knockmullen House
The Wexford Foxhounds unveiled their new track, moving from the popular Ballinaboola, to this new venue on the outskirts of New Ross. Champion Conditional Jockey, Jonjo O’Neill Jr, who had been at Lisronagh on the previous afternoon, and local Ireland Rugby star Tadgh Furlong were among those in attendance.
@irishp2p @IrishRugby No 1 prop in the world just weighing out at Knockmullen Pt to Pt #gopointing #legend #tadhgfurlong %uD83D%uDE0A%uD83D%uDE0A pic.twitter.com/Tsz8srGQ1a
— Bernadette Murphy (@bakmurphy) November 10, 2019
Sean Doyle enjoyed a double on the card, with My Story making an immediate impact on his open debut, swiftly following up successes in winners’ grade at both Loughrea and Loughanmore in the previous four weeks. The Court Cave gelding having re-joined the Monbeg team after initially winning his four-year-old maiden for Doyle’s younger brother Donnchadh before embarking on a British track career that spanned five runs.
10th November – Dromahane
Aidan Fitzgerald sent out Queens Brook to win the four-year-old mares’ maiden, a race that he had won two years earlier with Queens Cave. That horse subsequently achieved black type for David Pipe, and his 2019 race winner also made an immediate impact, as having been sold to Gordon Elliott for £220,000, she went on to win a Gowran Park Bumper before finishing third in the Grade 1 Champion Bumper at the Cheltenham Festival that spring.
It proved to be a notable weekend for breeders the Lynch family and their broodmare Coco Opera, as the success of half-brothers Arctic Skipper and Castle Robin on the card, supplemented the victory of Crossing Lines, at Lisronagh 24 hours earlier.
17th November – Tinahely
Val De Ferbet won his first race in almost two years when getting the better of a thrilling tussle with My Story and Marinero in what was a rare runner between the flags for former Grade 1 winning jockey Andrew McNamara. Sadly the 11-year-old died two months later when collapsing after finishing eighth in a Hunter Chase at Naas.
Jamie Codd supplemented his treble at the Wicklow venue a month earlier, by once again recording a hat-trick, continuing to add to his tally as the most successful rider at the course.
17th November – Turtulla
Bob Olinger created a big impression on his debut for Ben Harvey and Pat Doyle, winning a division of the four-year-old maiden by no less than 15 lengths. He then bolstered his reputation by defeating fellow autumn four-year-old maiden winner Coqolino by ten lengths in a point-to-point bumper at Gowran Park later in the season. That coming after being bought privately by Henry de Bromhead and Robcour.
The novice riders open saw 19-year-old Peter Kavanagh open his account aboard the Cormac Doyle-trained Mad Jack Mytton.
23rd November – Kirkistown
It was a day to remember for rookie handler Jamie Sloan, as with his first runner since taking over the reins from Cheltenham Festival winning trainer Ian Ferguson, he sent out Gallyhill to win the four-year-old maiden on his debut. The son of Getaway would be the top-priced point-to-pointer in the sales ring this season when Henrietta Knight and Mike Grech spent £450,000 to acquire him.
Lot 33 Gallyhill made an exciting debut at Kirkistown by taking his 4yo maiden in an impressive fashion. He hails from a family of winners, which includes the 14-time track winner, Tarxien & 7-time track winner Nortonthorpelegend @RebeccaEMenzies. %u27A1%uFE0F https://t.co/bvCvOtILxj pic.twitter.com/FgAnCGeBzL
— Tattersalls Cheltenham (@tattscheltenham) December 5, 2019
Barry O’Neill and David Christie once again proved why they were the combination to follow in the region during the season, with O’Neill enjoying a treble, the final two legs coming aboard Christie runners, Dylow and On The Sod. Notably both would go on to win Hunter Chases later in the season.
24th November – Boulta
Former Grade 1 Cheltenham Festival winner Black Hercules made his long-awaited return to action when finishing a close second to Arctic Skipper in a quality renewal of the open. The run was a first for Black Hercules since finishing third to Gold Cup winner Sizing John in the Kinloch Brae Chase at Thurles almost three years earlier.
Earlier on the card, Sir Gerhard had blown his opposition away when winning a division of the four-year-old geldings’ maiden by 12 lengths on his debut for Ellmarie Holden. He would later be snapped up by trainer Gordon Elliott for £400,000.
24th November – Lingstown
Banks specialist Vital Island recorded his second success over Lingstown’s unique Cross Country course, as he gallantly got the better of Sizing Solution by a narrow margin.
Twenty-year-old Bagenalstown native Jack Foley opened his account when he guided Acceptable Risk to success in the older maiden. The success formed part of an across the card double for the Ellen Doyle yard.
One of the highlights of the season brought the card to a close, with the Handlers Race seeing some of the best known handlers in the sport, including Colin Bowe, Denis Murphy, Warren Ewing and Donnchadh Doyle, taking to the saddle for this charity flat race. Run in aid of Pieta House, in conjunction with Ask, the race raised a total of €15,942.
%uD83D%uDCFAWATCH: Relive the Lingstown Handlers race in full, plus reaction from winner JD Moore, organsier Johnny Berry and Cllr Frank Staples of the ASK Mental Health campaign.
— p2p.ie (@irishp2p) November 24, 2019
CLICK to view%u25B6%uFE0Fhttps://t.co/GuvrGRCXAl pic.twitter.com/m1VfMdVmex
1st December – Ballindenisk
It was a family success for the O’Sullivan’s as the father and daughter team of Maxine and Eugene teamed up to win a division of the four-year-old maiden impressively with Coqolino. The success of the French-bred was all the more notable, as it was over six years since a lady rider last won a four-year-old maiden, with the success for Maxine, her first in the age group, making her just the eighth lady rider to win a four-year-old race after Liz Lalor, Katie Walsh, Nina Carberry, Michelle Cox, Liz Doyle, Claire MacMahon and Lucy Townsley.
Seventeen-year-old Ben Bromley, son of well-known Bloodstock Agent Anthony Bromley of Highflyer Bloodstock, made his Irish debut when riding Ucello Conti, in the open. Last season’s Champion Hunter Chaser is owned by Simon Munir and Isaac Souede, whose racing manager is Bromley senior. Their pair had to settle for second behind Macs Legend.
1st December – Mainstown
Three divisions of the four-year-old maiden produced an eight race card, with two of those divisions going the way of the long-standing Shane Fitzgerald-Mick Goff partnership courtesy of Sir Sholokhov and Hes A Hardy Bloke.
Mighty Stowaway provided Aine O’Connor with her second success of the pointing season, when he defeated Reigning Supreme in the Ladies open, the race featuring as the second leg in the ITM-backed Ladies Series.
7th December – Borris House
With a total of 177 entries and 99 runners, the Carlow Farmers fixture was the biggest meeting of the season, and it was a day to remember for 19-year-old Damien Loughnane, and his father Ray, as their pair enjoyed their first successes as a rider and handler respectively with the victory of Added Time in the older maiden. The elder Loughnane bred and owns the 2019 Galway Plate-third Snugsborough Benny.
David Christie came close to achieving quite the rate feat of having a clean sweep of the placings in a point-to-point race when his horses filled three of the first four placings in a very competitive 17-runner novice open. Eddies Miracle picked up his second success of the season in what was a first ride for Ben Harvey for the yard, with Horrendus Hulabaloo second and Marinero in fourth.
7th December – Boulta
Aloneamongmillions returned to Boulta for the second time within a month and continued his rapid rise through the ranks. Sam Curling’s son of Mahler, a Ballyragget maiden winner last season, followed up his course victory when easily getting the better of Colonel Sam under Derek O’Connor, to record what was the third victory of his career.
Araglen native Darragh Allen continued his rise on the Cork and Waterford circuit, with the fixture playing host to his first career double, which came courtesy of Raymond Beresford’s South Terrace and John Neilan’s Brandy Harbour.
7th December – Tattersalls Farm
Crossing Lines put up one of the most notable performances within the winners’ division for quite some time, blitzing his opposition by 20 lengths and earning a rating that matched the likes of Agus A Vic and The Man From Slatt from over 15 years earlier. Part of a hat-trick on the afternoon for the Ellen Doyle yard, he was subsequently sold privately to David Pipe and Middleham Park Racing.
It proved to be a notable success for former rider turned handler Danny Fitzsimmons, when Rose Of Arcadia won the four-year-old mares’ maiden for him. She was subsequently bought by leading owners Cheveley Park Stud for £170,000 and put in training with Colin Tizzard. The daughter of Arcadio later doubled her tally for the campaign when winning a Taunton Bumper for her new connections in the spring. The Tattersalls maiden proved to be a particularly valuable race, as the runner-up, Shirocco’s Dream, went on to win her maiden at Borris House in the spring, before being bought for £260,000 to also join Tizzard.
We will take a look back on the Spring 2020 campaign next week, so be sure to check back for part two.
