Kinsale Point to Point Racing Festival is run by a large team of volunteers co-ordinated by the South Union Foxhounds. Like most Irish point to points, it is not run on a conventional racecourse so everything you see on raceday has to be specially prepared.
The administration work runs all year round, organising logistics and sponsorship, volunteers and public relations as well as the “legals” – racing is a highly regulated sport.
Point to Point racing in Ireland is administered by the Turf Club officials, who must agree all aspects of the meeting and check the course and all safety aspects. They also carry out any disciplinary work on race conduct.
Work on the course is an all-year round task and can involve fertilising, spiking, mowing and watering. The fences that the horses jump also have to meet regulations and be inspected.
Getting all the runners and spectators on to the course and parked is a job in itself and involves close liaison with local Gardai. This year is complex as the Cork City Marathon has changed its date and the Jack Lynch tunnel will be closed for runners for part of Sunday.
The horses park up in their own separate area where their handlers check them after their journey, and walk them to relax them before saddling up for the race.
We have great support from our volunteer’s children and others distributing our race cards so that visitors know the runners and riders. If you can’t find someone handing them out, look out for the horse trailer parked near the parade ring and bookies, there will be some available there.
There would be no racing without the brave jockeys, male and female. Most are amateurs but many hope to turn professional.
For each race entries must be checked (“declarations”), and jockeys weighed in and out. Pat Kennedy is the man on watch for those extra pounds while Breda McCarthy of Suite Cottage in Carrigaline looks after the declarations.
We know their nerves may be on edge, but we want our owners to have a really enjoyable day with their friends watching their horses run and hoping to be first past the post!
Kinsale is lucky to have well-known trainer Robert Tyner close by, but entries come from yards as far away as Northern Ireland. This is almost the last meeting of the season so most trainers and horses will finally get their holidays after Kinsale.
The bookies are high-tech these days with their digital displays and there are also quite a few female bookies now – but some things never change and there’s always great banter here.
The Kinsale Point to Point Festival gets fantastic sponsorship from Cork and Kinsale businesses without which it could not run. Please support our sponsors.
Each race has a “best turned out” prize for the groom with the best-presented horse, judged as they walk around the parade ring on items like plaiting of the mane, shine on the coat, gleaming tack, and “quarter mark” patterns.
Not forgetting the humans, who are judged for the “best dressed lady” and “most appropriately dressed gentleman” competitions by our expert style judges.
Before each race two members of the South Union Hunt on horseback travel the course to check for any obstructions. They also help to catch loose horses after any falls.
The point-to-point has a former jockey, Paul Crowley as our starter. He makes sure everyone is safe, checking girths and lining up, before releasing the tape to set off the race.
The clerk of the course is responsible for the raceday preparation and the condition of the racecourse. Well-known local butcher Donal Lordan from Ballinspittle takes on this role as well as chief bantermeister in the bar later
Safety work is extremely important for everyone – spectators, jockeys, horses and volunteers. These days quad bikes and radios make the job a lot easier.
Each fence has stewards who help with any fallen horses or riders and if necessary divert the race around the fence. They make sure the course in their area is clear of obstructions. They also check the ground in front of each fence between the races and stamp in any divots.
Of course there are thrills, but there are also spills, so we have ambulances, doctors and vets on the course. It’s a good day if they are bored!
Organising the catering and bar to make sure everyone is fed and watered involves its own small army of volunteers. We have a hospitality area for owners and one for our volunteers too.
Here are some happy visitors who travelled down all the way from Northern Ireland to take back some silverware.
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