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