Point to Point: The Heart of Irish Horse Racing

Product Information

Clonmel (H) formally known as Tipperary (H) have a fixture on Sunday 15 th January at Turtulla, Thurles, Co. Tipperary. There are a number of notable changes within the fixture list for Spring 2023. Some of these changes include:

Martin O’Donnell, Senior Steward of the INHSC, commented: “The Stewards of the INHSC look forward to a full programme of Point to Point fixtures being held in 2023 following the huge challenges and significant interruptions experienced in the previous three seasons. We are sad to note the loss of a number of traditional fixtures for a variety of reasons caused by the current challenges within the industry. We would like to welcome new Hunt Committees, Streamstown (H) and Lismore (H) who are staging Point to Point fixtures for the first time and wish them every success. Furthermore, the Stewards of the INHSC have approved the shortening of the Spring season from 2022 onwards, in that the last day of the season will be no later than the last day in May rather than no later than the first Monday in June which it has traditionally been. Consequently, the Spring 2022 season will conclude on Sunday 29th May with the South Union (F) fixture at Kinsale, Co. Cork and the North Kerry (H) fixture at Tralee racecourse.

The Aintree Grand National has proved to be another profitable hunting ground for Irish P2P graduates, with winners including Monty's Pass (IRE), Bindaree (IRE), Silver Birch (IRE), and Minella Times (IRE). Other high-profile Irish P2P grads include Champagne Fever (IRE), Florida Pearl (IRE), First Lieutenant (IRE), and Shishkin (IRE).

Work has commenced on a provisional summary of races for all 73 fixtures, details of which will be issued once this process is completed. All scheduled Point to Point fixtures will adhere to Government health guidelines applicable at the time and in compliance with the Protocols for Point to Point Racing in Ireland in the Context of the Covid-19 Pandemic. Lismore (H) are a new Hunt Committee to the fixture list this Spring with a fixture to be run under Lismore (H) Dungarvan on Sunday 22 nd January at Kilossera, Dungarvan, Co. Waterford. Fermanagh (H) will hold a one day only fixture on Saturday 22 nd April at Necarne, Irvinestown, Co. Fermanagh. Ireland is a small island, yet sustains 26 unique and bustling racecourses, demonstrating the sheer passion of the Irish for the sport of horse racing.

P2P Guide

The sport of steeplechasing was established by hunting men who raced their hunters over natural open ground from one ‘point’ to another ‘point’, hence the name ‘Point-to-Point’. The first recorded race of this type was from Buttevant to Doneraile in 1752. The first official recognition of P2P races was in the National Hunt Rules of 1889. Organisation Some of racing's most prestigious and valuable contests are staged in Ireland, including the Irish Derby and the Irish Champion Stakes. Irish National Hunt racing is among the most competitive and lucrative in the world, with races like the Irish Grand National and Punchestown Gold Cup each year offering unparalleled sporting spectacle. Ireland is also renowned for its world-class racing Festivals such as Galway and Punchestown, which attract crowds of over 100,000 people. The Stewards of the Irish National Hunt Steeplechase Committee (INHSC) have today released the fixture list for the Spring 2022 Point to Point season.