GO POINTING
WADEBRIDGE AIMS
TO DEFEAT THE COLD SNAP
COVER PHOTO: Tim Holt
PREVIEW 08 POINTING PEOPLE: RUBEN MARSHALL
10 POINT-TO-POINT SOCIAL MEDIA
12 SPEED FIGURES
14 FIXTURE LIST
16 NEW NATIONAL AWARDS FOR 2024 / 2025
WEEKEND FIXTURE ABANDONMENTS
11TH AND 12TH JANUARY
Larkhill Racing Club, Larkhill, Saturday 11th Jan
Due to frozen ground and no respite from freezing temperatures forecast the Larkhill Racing Club fixture has had to abandon.
Yorkshire
Area Point to Point, Sheriff Hutton, Sunday 12th Jan
Due to frozen ground the Yorkshire Area P2P Club fixture has had to abandon. They intend to apply via the usual Point-to-Point Secretaries Association process with a possible view to rescheduling.
Dunston
Harriers, Ampton, Sunday 12th Jan
Due to frozen ground and forecast dip in temperatures the Dunston Harriers fixture has been forced to abandon.
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PREVIEW
NORTH CORNWALL AT WADEBRIDGE
SUNDAY 12TH JANUARY 2025
By LAUREN REED
The second of two meetings at Wadebridge resumes Point to Pointing in the Devon and Cornwall Area. There are a total of 93 entries over 6 races, with the promise of some very competitive racing and healthy field sizes. Joshua Newman’s yard took 5 of the 7 races here last time and will be hungry to try and repeat another fabulous day.
Gates open at 9:30am with the first race due off at 11:30am. £15 for entry to include a racecard. Accompanied under 16s are free. Dogs are welcome on non-retractable leads. In house catering, a bar and plenty of trade stands to be enjoyed.
Moores of St Wenn Conditions (Level 3)
The first race of the day could see Hearts Corner, Itacare and Jet Smart battle out the finish. Hearts Corner (also entered in the Mixed Open) will have to overcome a 10lb penalty which will be a far cry from the 11 stone he had to carry when last seen winning the Ladies Open at this track in December. Itacare and Rian Corcoran have built up a brilliant partnership together and was an impressive winner of the Mens Open here but will be another to have to run with a 10lb penalty. Jet Smart had a hard race at Chaddesley Corbett only two weeks prior when beaten 3 lengths in a competitive Novice Riders but with only a 3lb penalty in this race, the 7lb allowance from the two other market leaders could play in his favour.
JB Estates Conditions (Level 2) For Novice Riders
The 14 year old, The Kings Writ, showed no sign of ageing when winning the Novice Riders here in December under a great ride by Hannah Morgan. An extra 3lb on his back would not have stopped him on that run but this could be a stiffer task. The highly thought of, Fighter Allen, chased home The Kings Writ on the last occasion but couldn’t close the 17 length gap. Rian Corcoran looks to have the pick of four in this race with Itacare for his parents and the Emma Summersby trio of Jet Smart, Jubertilee and Lakota Warrior entered, with Jet Smart being the standout. The Tim Vaughan trained Designer Destiny was rarely out of the top two last season when
partnered by Ed Vaughan and could give jockey Laurie Gallacher a first winner.
Kivells Mixed Open
Bardenstown Lad was an eye-catching runner at Chaddesley when giving Gina Ellis something to worry about when battling the classy Master Templar up the run-in to just get touched off by ¾ length under Anna Johnston. If connections make the long journey down, they could be rewarded! Angels Breath, for Tim and Ed Vaughan, was not far behind Itacare at the last meeting and will be sure to back up that run with another decent performance. The three times National Hunt winner, Dalamoi, again for the Vaughans, looks an interesting entry who was once rated 130. Sizing Cusimano, for Purdy Peaster, chased Hearts Corner home last time out to come second by a neck and could run another bold race. 14 time Point to Point winner Dr Rhythm has been a marvellous servant for his owners and the Cumings family and is rarely out of the placings. Another consistent servant is Sixteen Letters who, if not taking up his engagement at Larkhill the day before, should be in the mix. Fighter Allen, The Kings Writ, Hearts Corner and Itacare have plenty of options with multiple entries across the card and could find a weaker contest than this.
Heltor Oils Four, Five & Six Year
Old Maiden
It’s very rare to see a 4 year old out so early in the year but Absolut Grey, half-brother to the beautiful Caribean Boy who was a double Grade 2 winner for Nicky Henderson, had two runs as a 3 year old in France over jumps, so it’s no surprise to see him entered up so early. The appealing 21lb age allowance could help provide the Summersby team with a winner. Nelson Criq finished 3rd to El Capitaine here in December after doing all the hard work from the front and will be
one to keep a close eye on. Again, for the Josh Newman yard, Ted The Thief ran a pleasing race at Larkhill a few weeks ago to finish 2nd and looks like the step up to three miles will be beneficial if skipping Larkhill the day before. King De Palma, for Megan Lawerence, will have improved on his last run and shouldn’t be far away.
Lodge & Thomas Restricted
Clondaw Drake is two from two since joining Josh Newman’s yard and bids to make it three on the bounce when lining up after winning the Restricted here last time out. Being able to reappear in Restricteds after winning one with a 5lb penalty has been an option used by several trainers and Clondaw Drake could take advantage of this. Another for Josh Newman is El Capitaine, who, after showing decent rules form, backed up his Knightwick run by winning the Maiden here last time out. Summer Jam, for Christopher Barber, was only two lengths behind Clondaw Drake and should make another bold run if appearing in the same form.
The Nare Hotel Seven Years Old And Over Maiden
Master McShine, for Jake Bament and Les Jefford, ran a decent race here in December after a long layoff and showed plenty of promise behind El Capitaine. A Nice Malbec was running well at Chaddesley before losing his jockey and if making amends, could give jockey Molly Griffiths a first winner and also trainer Aime Treacy a first winner after taking over training duties from husband Gordon, who has taken out a National Hunt license. Noble Blue is an interesting Irish recruit from Paul Nolan’s yard and is now in the ownership of Friends Of Sylvie. It is another runner coming from the in form Josh Newman’s yard which could prove hard to beat.
The Kings Writ
Photo: Tim Holt
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BY JAKE EXELBY, SOUTH MIDLANDS AREA PRESS OFFICER
POINTING PEOPLE: RUBEN MARSHALL
A new point-to-point award – the Equine Products UK Stable Employee of the Year – was launched last season to reward the unsung heroes of the sport, and the inaugural winner was 21-year-old Ruben Marshall, who works for Teresa Clark at Spaxton in Somerset. Jake Exelby spoke to Ruben recently about his time in pointing and what it meant to be recognised for all his hard work.
How did you get into point-to-pointing in the first place?
I’ve lived in Bridgwater – in the same house – all my life. I met Teresa when my Dad, Daren, was in the Only Fools Buy Horses syndicate, who owned Grey Dream. Her oldest son, Ethan, is the same age as my youngest brother and they became friends.
Teresa had two ponies – Prince and Pippa – so I would go and ride out. I started when I was 13 and, when I outgrew them, I rode an oversized pony called Dave, who was a little legend and who I’d take to shows.
Our Chief – who won the Restricted Final at Stratford – was the first racehorse I rode. I remember being so nervous in the manege that my legs were shaking, and I couldn’t get out of the saddle. Subtle Sovereign was the first horse I galloped – he was a machine – and I haven’t stopped since.
How do you manage to combine your studies with working for Teresa Clark?
I’m doing a Masters in Equine Physiotherapy at Anglia Ruskin University in Chelmsford. I go to and fro there from home, so spend an unreasonable amount of time on the M4! Because I’ve worked for Teresa throughout secondary school, I’ve always had to balance my GCSEs and A-levels. Over Christmas, I’d normally have spent more time at Teresa’s, but the Masters is hard work!
You ride at home but not in races - have you ever had an ambition to be a jockey?
I’ve never wanted to be, which seems weird, and I’d be too heavy now. It’s just never crossed my mind.
Tell me what it means to be voted Stable Employee of the Year and be nominated by your peers in the sport
I don’t work for Teresa to win awards (!) so I’m grateful that she nominated me – a massive thankyou to her. When I got in the top ten, I didn’t think I’d make the top three, so I was shocked – it’s great that people voted for me. Dad’s really into his pointing – it’s a big thing for him – and he rallied round for votes, which was really nice.
Then to be put to a board of people, most of whom had never met me, meant a lot. Before the awards, Teresa said, ‘I don’t think you’ll win’. I wasn’t expecting to, so I couldn’t believe it (when his name was called). I was shaking when I was talking to Charlie Poste – I can’t describe how I felt. I was up against some great people and everyone on the list deserved the award.
Who would you nominate for next year’s award?
If I start naming people, I’ll go on for ever!
Which have been your favourite horses?
Ninth Wave is an absolute legend. I’ve never worked with a horse like him – he’s unmatched. He’s blind in one eye, so prefers left-handed tracks, but can go both ways. He has two paddock handlers to help him settle, but then he’s cool as a cucumber and such a dude. He loves Bratton Down (where he’s won five races, including at all three fixtures in 2023).
Ruben collecting his award from sponsor Alice Porter
Photo: Neale Blackburn
Beau De Brizais – who my Dad owned as part of a syndicate – and Willem would also be up there. I led-up Willem at Cheltenham and we won best turned out, so my name was on the board. That was a special day.
And which current pointer would you like to have in the yard and ride?
Will Biddick’s Macklin. He’s a class horse.
Which trainers (other than Teresa) and jockeys do you admire?
Dean Summersby, who’s now taken out a rules licence. He’s a top-drawer trainer and his horses are always turned out immaculately.
For jockeys, I’ve got to say Will Biddick. To be as good as he is for so long is amazing. And Callum Pritchard rode for Teresa a lot – he’s turned pro and is doing well under rules.
What’s your favourite course?
I can’t narrow it down to one! Cothelstone’s my home track – just seconds down the road and we always have a great time there. And I have so many good memories of Bratton Down, many thanks to Ninth Wave. It’s a good day out and the weather’s usually nice.
What do you enjoy most about pointing?
You work with horses in all weathers, and you put in so much work that, when they do well, there’s no feeling like it – I imagine it’s like having kids! And the atmosphere – when people are screaming horses home in a close finish – is unmatched.
What are your ambitions in pointing and racing?
Not to get injured! I’m happy with what I’m doing and don’t see myself stopping riding for Teresa.
And outside the sport - what do you intend to do after you’ve finished your studies?
My course finishes at the start of May so I’ll then do nothing but racing until the end of the season. After that, I don’t know what to do. Most equine physios are self-employed, so I want to set-up my own business eventually, but don’t want to leave pointing so I’d like to work with racehorses.
What would you do if you were in charge of the sport?
I’d bring Bratton Down and Umberleigh back into the championships. A championship should go right to the end of the season and things should be decided with the last race.
For owners, I’d give out more entry tickets for syndicates – all owners should be able to get it (free of charge). Some tracks – like Trebudannon – treat owners really well. I think all courses should give them hospitality.
What are your non-horsey hobbies?
Come on Jake, have you ever met anyone in pointing who has time for anything outside horses?
Ruben with Beau De Brizais and Will Biddick
Ruben and Teresa with Ninth Wave
(L-R) Teresa’s son Ethan on Pippa, Teresa on Bathwick Scanno and Ruben on Dave at Xmas
Ruben winning best turned out with Willem at Cheltenham
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SPEED
FIGURES
WADEBRIDGE 12/01/2025
11:30 THE DEVON & CORNWALL AREA CONDITIONS RACE (LEVEL 3): Itacare (FR) (114) Jet Smart (IRE) (109) Arv Way There (GB) (96) Holiday Fund (IRE) (92)
12:05 THE CONDITIONS RACE (LEVEL 2), FOR NOVICE RIDERS: Itacare (FR) (114) Jet Smart (IRE) (109) The Kings Writ (IRE) (108) Designer Destiny (IRE) (100)
12:40 THE MIXED OPEN RACE: Angels Breath (IRE) (135) Sixteen Letters (IRE) (129) Itacare (FR) (128) Southfield Lily (GB) (123)
1:15 THE FOUR, FIVE AND SIX YEARS OLD MAIDEN RACE: City Silk (GB) (94) King de Palma (FR) (87) See You Kauto (GB) (86) Ted The Thief (IRE) (86) Nelson Criq (IRE) (82)
1:50 THE RESTRICTED RACE: Clondaw Drake (IRE) (99) Frontieres Lad (IRE) (96) Designer Destiny (IRE) (95) Rue St Denis (IRE) (94)
2:25 THE SEVEN YEARS OLD AND OVER MAIDEN RACE: Bollin Twinkle (GB) (76) Doctor Doyen (IRE) (76) Master McShine (IRE) (74) Miss Ghillie (GB) (69)
EXETER SUPPORTS HUNTER CHASING
THE UK’S LEADING INTERMEDIATE SERIES
#55 QUALIFIED HORSES IN 2023
EACH QUALIFIER IS RUN FOR A MINIMUM OF £500
EXETER OFFER A MINIMUM OF £5000 PRIZE MONEY
ALL RUNNERS QUALIFY FOR INTERMEDIATE SERIES FINAL ON HALDON HILL (CLASS 5)
2024
SUNDAY 10 NOVEMBER
Dunsmore Club – Dunsmore
SUNDAY 24 NOVEMBER
East Cornwall – Great Trethew
SUNDAY 8 DECEMBER
Cornwall Hunt Club – Wadebridge
2025
SUNDAY 26 JANUARY
Tiverton – Chipley Park
SUNDAY 16 FEBRUARY
South Pool – Buckfastleigh
SUNDAY 16 MARCH
Dart Vale – Buckfastleigh
SUNDAY 23 MARCH
Lamerton – Kilworthy
LAST QUALIFIER
SUNDAY 30 MARCH
South Cornwall – Trebudannon
INTERMEDIATE FINAL ENTRIES
SATURDAY 5 APRIL, 2025
INTERMEDIATE FINAL FRIDAY 11 APRIL, 2025
FIXTURE LIST 2024/25
AREA FIXTURE COURSE DAY DATE
EA Dunston Harriers Ampton Sunday 12 January 2025
D&C North Cornwall Wadebridge Sunday 12 January 2025
Y Yorkshire Area Point-to-Point Club Sheriff Hutton Sunday 12 January 2025
W Royal Artillery Larkhill Saturday 18 January 2025
MID South Wold Revesby Park Saturday 18 January 2025
N Jedforest Friars Haugh Sunday 19 January 2025
EA Cambridgeshire with Enfield Chace Horseheath Sunday 26 January 2025
SM Heythrop Cocklebarrow Sunday 26 January 2025
N Percy Alnwick Sunday 26 January 2025
D&C Tiverton Foxhounds Chipley Park Sunday 26 January 2025
MID Melton Club Garthorpe Sunday 02 February 2025
W South Dorset Milborne St Andrew Sunday 02 February 2025
SE South East Club Charing Sunday 02 February 2025
Y York & Ainsty and West of Yore Askham Bryan Sunday 02 February 2025
MID Brocklesby Brocklesby Park Saturday 08 February 2025
N Berwickshire Races Friars Haugh Sunday 09 February 2025
EA Waveney Harriers Higham Sunday 09 February 2025
W Combined Services Larkhill Sunday 16 February 2025
EA Puckeridge & Essex Horseheath Sunday 16 February 2025
Y Sinnington Duncombe Park Sunday 16 February 2025
D&C South Pool Harriers Buckfastleigh Sunday 16 February 2025
SAND Kimblewick (February) Kingston Blount Saturday 22 February 2025
N College Valley & North Northumberland Alnwick Sunday 23 February 2025
MID Cottesmore Garthorpe Sunday 23 February 2025
W Countryside Alliance Club (Wessex) Badbury Rings Sunday 23 February 2025
WALES Curre & Llangibby Howick Sunday 23 February 2025
SE South East Club Charing Sunday 23 February 2025
WM Duke of Beaufort's Didmarton Saturday 01 March 2025
W South & West Wilts Larkhill Sunday 02 March 2025
EA Suffolk Ampton Sunday 02 March 2025
Y Yorkshire Jockeys Club Charm Park Sunday 02 March 2025
N Buccleuch Friars Haugh Saturday 08 March 2025
EA High Easter Racing Club High Easter Saturday 08 March 2025
W Blackmore & Sparkford Vale Charlton Horethorne Sunday 09 March 2025
MID Pytchley with Woodland Guilsborough Sunday 09 March 2025
WM Sir W.W. Wynn's and Flint & Denbigh Bangor-on-Dee Sunday 09 March 2025
Y Hurworth Hutton Rudby Saturday 15 March 2025
AREA FIXTURE COURSE DAY DATE
AREA FIXTURE COURSE DAY DATE AREA FIXTURE COURSE DAY DATE
EA Essex & Suffolk Higham Friday 18 April 2025
D&C Flete Park Races –Dartmoor Foxhounds Flete Park Saturday 19 April 2025
SM Kimblewick (Easter) Kimble Saturday 19 April 2025
WM North Staffordshire Sandon Saturday 19 April 2025
MID Pytchley with Woodland Dingley Saturday 19 April 2025
W Seavington Cotley Saturday 19 April 2025
WM Worcestershire Chaddesley Corbett Saturday 19 April 2025
D&C Four Burrow Trebudannon Monday 21 April 2025
WM North Cotswold Paxford Monday 21 April 2025
SM Old Berkshire Lockinge Monday 21 April 2025
WM South Shropshire Eyton on Severn Monday 21 April 2025
W Taunton Vale Foxhounds and Taunton Vale Harriers Cothelstone Monday 21 April 2025
N Tynedale Corbridge Monday 21 April 2025
WM Berkeley Woodford Saturday 26 April 2025
SE Chiddingfold, Leconfield & Cowdray Parham Saturday 26 April 2025
N Fife Pusk Saturday 26 April 2025
MID Quorn Garthorpe Saturday 26 April 2025
D&C Axe Vale Stafford Cross Sunday 27 April 2025
D&C Flete Park Races –Totnes & Bridgetown Racing Co Ltd Flete Park Saturday 03 May 2025
SE Mid Surrey Farmers Godstone Saturday 03 May 2025
W Devon & Somerset South Hill Sunday 04 May 2025
MID Fernie Dingley Sunday 04 May 2025
WM North Shropshire Eyton on Severn Monday 05 May 2025
D&C Stevenstone Vauterhill Monday 05 May 2025
SM Warwickshire Mollington Monday 05 May 2025
Y Zetland Witton Castle Monday 05 May 2025
W Minehead Harriers and West Somerset Holnicote Saturday 10 May 2025
Y Derwent –Scarborough Races Charm Park Sunday 11 May 2025
D&C Eggesford Upcott Cross Sunday 11 May 2025
SM Kimblewick (May) Kingston Blount Sunday 11 May 2025
W Weston & Banwell and West Somerset Vale Cothelstone Wednesday 14 May 2025
N Haydon Hexham Saturday 17 May 2025
SE Surrey Union Peper Harow Saturday 17 May 2025
D&C Dulverton West Bratton Down Sunday 18 May 2025
SM Grafton Edgcote Sunday 18 May 2025
WM Knutsford Races Club Tabley Sunday 18 May 2025
MID Fitzwilliam (Milton) Dingley Saturday 24 May 2025
Wales Welsh International Ffynnondruidion Saturday 24 May 2025
SM Berks & Bucks Draghounds Kingston Blount Sunday 25 May 2025
D&C Exmoor Bratton Down Sunday 25 May 2025
WM Albrighton & Woodland Chaddesley Corbett Monday 26 May 2025
D&C South Tetcott Upcott Cross Monday 26 May 2025
D&C Tiverton Staghounds Bratton Down Sunday 01 June 2025
D&C Torrington Farmers Umberleigh Saturday 07 June 2025
NATIONAL POINT-TO-POINT
CHAMPIONSHIPS 2024/25
ON THE FOLLOWING PAGE YOU CAN FIND SOME EARLY SEASON LEADERBOARDS.
• Goffs Ladies’ Champion Jockey
• Tattersalls Jockey Club Sales Men’s Champion Jockey
• Highflyer Bloodstock Leading Ladies’ Novice Rider
• Highflyer Bloodstock Leading Men’s Novice Rider
• Foran Equine Champion Trainer
• Foran Equine Leading Trainer (6-14 horses)
• Oriental Club Leading Trainer (5 horses or fewer)
• Point-to-Point Racing Company Leading Owner
• Connolly’s Red Mills Champion Horse
In the event of a tie in any category, the winner will be decided by second placings. If it is still tied, third, then fourth placings will decide the winner. Walkovers will again not count towards any National Championship in 2024-25.
