Point to Point

Point to Point races are steeplechases confined to horses which hold a valid Hunters Certificate and are organised by a Hunt Committee which is affiliated to the Irish Masters of Foxhounds Association, the Irish Masters of Harriers Association or Staghounds. The Irish National Hunt Steeplechase CLG (INHSC) is responsible for the governance and administration of Point to Points in Ireland and sanctions approximately 100 fixtures to be run between October and May.

The first recorded, and now legendary Steeplechase match, took place in Ireland from Buttevant Church to St. Marys Church, Doneraile, in Cork in 1752. The riders raced from the steeple in one church to the steeple in the second church, hence the name steeplechasing was formulated.

Many hunts organised their own meetings during the 1800’s, the most notable being the Ward Union and the Kildare Hunt who still continue to stage meetings at their respective venues to the present day. The sport then was run under the auspices of the hunt organising the meeting and in latter years the INHSC assumed responsibility for staging meetings which are now run under the INHS Rules. The sport has expanded since and there are approximately 90 point to point venues registered and eligible to stage meetings during the season. 

Auction races for 4yo maidens will be restricted to horses which have been sold or bought in by public auction under the hammer at a recognised National Hunt Store sale in Ireland or Great Britain in 2024 as an unraced three-year-old.

(For the avoidance of doubt, horses which are unsold having failed to reach their reserves do not qualify, nor do private sales).

 (i)             The "recognised National Hunt Store sales" referred to above for these races in 2024 comprise of the following: - 

The Goffs Spring Store Sale, Goffs Arkle Sale, Tattersalls Ireland May Store Sale, Tattersalls Ireland Derby Sale and Tattersalls Ireland July Store Sale.

 (ii)            The first sale will govern the price if the horse is sold more than once in 2024

(Exclusions - horses which have been sold or bought in by public auction under the hammer at any of the above sales for more than the highest permitted price specified in the race conditions).

(iii)            Confined to horses who have been purchased at the above sales in 2024 for €25,000 or less.

(iv)            In the case of any dispute, the official sale return will be used to determine the validity of the sale.

The Directors of the INHSC will be the final arbiters of qualification for entry.

(v)             Any sale conducted outside the sales ring (private sale) will not be considered to qualify the horse to run in these races.

Conversion Rates to € for Horses purchased in Great Britain

2024 British Pound                         €1.15