Route Hunt autumn point to point is held at Portrush

The weather conditions especially early morning were not ideal with strong winds, heavy rain and hailstones pulling down the orange safety fencing but despite the elements the event team got everything in place for racing.

There had been a lot of rain on the Friday night and Saturday morning so the decision was made to keep the vehicles out of the field and so preserve the course as much as possible.

There were some spells of sunshine throughout the day and there was a reasonable turnout of racing fans who were given a great days racing especially in the last race when 20 year old Erin Dunseath from Randalstown registered her first career win on her own horse Mountorra for handler Gerald Quinn.

The hunt Thank all those volunteers who help out on the day and the hunt members and committee who ensure the track and everything necessary for a days racing happens.

The hunt also thank IHRB for their grant towards the running of the event, the race sponsors and turnout sponsor as well as Mr Ian McMaw for the use of his land to run the event and the farmers and landowners over whose land we hunt.

The Turnout prize in each race was sponsored by Eakin Brothers Ltd Claudy/Maydown

Race 1 winner, Bold Recruit, owner Warren Ewing, groom Sarah Spoule

Race 2 winner, Some Bro, owner Brenda Cunningham, groom Zara Sharvan

Race 3 Penthouse Poppet, owner Kerri McBratney, groom Bailey Dunn

Race 4 Jay Bee Why, owner Shane Wilson, groom Justine Hardy

Race 5 Raceview Road, owner PJ McBurney, groom Paddy McGuigian

Race 6 Coothill, owner Wilson Dennison, groom Emma Wright

Race results:

Race 1 sponsored by Dennisons Commercials Ltd

1st Juracon, owner Benjamin Halsall, trainer Colin Bowe

2nd Jimbo Sport, owner Mary Turley, trainer Patrick Turley

3rd Drumnasoo, owner Kelly E Crawford, trainer Ross Crawford

Race 2 sponsored by Tattersalls NH and Bensons Estate Agents

1st Clashhill, owner Wilson Dennison, trainer Colin S McKeever

2nd Syr Maffos, owner Amy Christie, trainer David Christie

3rd River Agent, owner Catherine Murphy, trainer Denis Paul Murphy

Race 3 sponsored by A Diamond and Son Timber Ltd

1st Springtime Promise, owner Oran McGill, trainer Gary McGill

2nd Ballygelly, owner PJ McBurney, trainer Gerald Quinn

3rd Shilnavogie, owner Willam Logan, trainer Paul McAleese

Race 4 sponsored by Glenavon House Hotel

1st Jay Bee Why, owner Shane Wilson, trainer Warren Ewing

2nd Wowsham, owner Davis A Laverty, trainer Ross Crawford

3rd Vaucelet, owner S J Hegarty and Jennifer O’Kane, trainer David Christie

Race 5 sponsored by Royal Court Hotel

1st Gray Rock, owner Noeleen Kenny, trainer Liam Kenny

2nd Ballybentragh, owner Davis Maxwell, trainer David Christie

3rd Annaghbeg, owner Ross Crawford, trainer Ross Crawford

Race 6 sponsored by Specialist Group

1st Mountorra, owner Erin Dunseath, trainer Gerald Quinn

2nd Coothill, owner Wilson Dennison, trainer Colin S McKeever

3rd Kellyiscool, owner Shuana Kelly, trainer Noel Kelly

The Route Hunt cup for the best placed horse owned by a Route Hunt member was presented to Oran Magill for his horse Springtime Promise winning the third race of the day – The Maiden race for five-year-old and upwards mares.

The spring point to point meet at Portrush is planned for Saturday 23rd March 2024.

If anyone is available to help with this event or is wanting to place an ad in the race card or sponsor a fence or a race please contact Hazel Kelly on 0775 956 3183.