Leanne O’Sullivan
IRISH Thoroughbred Marketing will sponsor a series of five races confined to lady riders at upcoming point-to-points.
The series was launched at a well-attended reception in Kildare Village shopping outlet on Tuesday evening. Among those present were reigning point-to-point ladies champions Sheila Ahern and Liz Lalor, Katie Walsh, Rachael Blackmore, Kate Harrington, Maxine O’Sullivan, Evanna McCutcheon, Shauna Larkin, Irene Walsh, Horse Racing Ireland CEO Brian Kavanagh, Turf Club senior steward Meta Osborne, Point-to-Point Handlers Association chairman Gerry Kelleher, trainer Ted Walsh and representatives of each hunt who will host a round of the series this season.
Presentations were made by Kildare Village to Jessica Harrington, Lisa O’Neill and Jamie Codd, who were all in attendance, in recognition of their recent Cheltenham Festival winners.
Sarah Gavin, ITM marketing manager, regional secretary Frankie Ward, who has been influential in the creation of the series, and INHS Committee senior steward Peter Allen spoke briefly about the series and the contribution made by lady riders to the sport.
The points-based series begins on Easter Sunday at Quakerstown and concludes with a final at Ballingarry on the final day of the season.
ITM LADY RIDERS RACES
Apr 16 Co Clare (H) at Quakerstown
Apr 29 Tipperary (F) at Lisronagh
May 14 Laois (F) at Stradbally
May 21 Duhallow (Kanturk) at Dromahane
Jun 6 Ormond (F) at Ballingarry