Gainford one of many talented points graduates

RACHAEL Blackmore’s recent achievements also highlight the importance of the point-to-point industry, not just for producing star equine talent, but also for the foundations that it provides for burgeoning jockeys.

J.J. Slevin, who turned professional a year after Blackmore following six and a half seasons point-to-pointing, has gone on to enjoy Irish Grand National and Grade 1 success in the professional ranks, and more recently Jordan Gainford has certainly made an explosive start to his career as a professional.

The Wexford rider was one of three riders who had started the current season riding in point-to-points to feature in the recent Irish Grand National, having been joined by Shane Fitzgerald and Richie Deegan.

Currently, the riding division between the flags has a significantly different look to it even when compared to the scene just five years ago and that is because it is now awash with a crop of young riders who are seeking the make the breakthrough.

Looking at last weekend’s two fixtures, 24 different riders made it into the placings in the 16 races which took place, and strikingly more than half of them were aged 25 or under. When you consider that these races were for four- and five-year-old maidens only, it paints a clear picture of the changing face of the weigh tent heading into the future.

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THE point-to-point season certainly burst into life last weekend on its long-awaited return following a three-month hiatus, which saw the bumper entries for both Cork and Tipperary translate into a strong turnout with 181 runners across the 16 races on both days.

While the entry numbers for this weekend’s two day Meath & Tara fixture are down by quarter in comparison to last weekend, they still represent a very healthy return in particular within the five-year-old geldings’ division which continues to set the benchmark with over 60 entered each day.

A total of three four-year-old geldings’ races are programmed, one of which is an auction maiden that has attracted a disappointing 12 entries, but the two remaining races in the age group feature the second largest entries on both cards.

However, despite attracting close to 40 entries, there is a surprisingly small cohort of handlers represented in the category.

As an example, Saturday’s slightly larger race features 39 entries, 30 of which come from just nine handlers, with the remaining nine entries from nine individual handlers who each have just one entry in the race.

Following the relatively short turnaround from when point-to-pointing was given the go-ahead to resume to these opening fixtures actually taking place, it is perhaps not surprising that some are requiring more time before being brought into competitive action.

After all, 78 different handlers had received a hunter certificate for a four-year-old gelding at the beginning of this week.

It will be worth watching whether a wider participation develops in the coming weeks.