NATIONAL
NEWS
THE JOCKEY CLUB TO SPONSOR nationwide POINT-TO-POINT SERIES
Horseracing's largest commercial group steps up its efforts to reach horse lovers
The Jockey Club, the largest commercial group in British horseracing, today announced its sponsorship of a national Point-to-Point racing series taking place throughout the UK.
The Jockey Club – whose assets include Cheltenham, Aintree, Epsom Downs and Newmarket Racecourses, along with 5,000 acres of training grounds in Newmarket and Lambourn – becomes the main sponsor of the 'Mares Maiden Series', consisting of 16 Point-to-Point races that will be run over a six month period between December 2011 and May 2012.
As part of the initial one year agreement with the Point-to-Point Authority (PPA), The Jockey Club will benefit from brand profile at each of the 16 events in the Mares Maiden Series, via signage and in the racecard, as well as in The Pointer magazine and the official programme book. Several of the races take place near to The Jockey Club's own racecourses.
As a special bonus to its sponsorship, The Jockey Club is offering connections of the horse that wins the Mares Maidens Series a double prize money opportunity of up to £10,000 for its next run at any of the Group's 14 racecourses.
Commenting on the rationale behind the new partnership, Simon Bazalgette, Group Chief Executive of The Jockey Club, said:
"Point-to-Pointing is a truly exciting sport with a great atmosphere. Many people who go pointing are already our customers, so this new partnership is partly about attracting other horse lovers to our racecourses and partly about giving something back.
"This year we've enjoyed success in appealing to lovers of other horse sports at Badminton, Barbury Castle Horse Trials and at the Guards Polo Club. Pointing offers us a nationwide opportunity and over a longer period of time, so we have high hopes for the partnership.
"The Jockey Club already has a long relationship pointing. Today we are proud to act as one of four stakeholders in the Point-to-Point Authority and every year we welcome many horses at our courses that have competed in Point-to-Points and vice-versa. Hopefully that will go from strength-to-strength supported by this sponsorship."
Simon Claisse, the new Chairman of the Point-to-Point Authority, said:
"The Point-to-Point Authority and indeed the whole point-to-point community both thank and welcome The Jockey Club as an exciting new sponsor to our sector of the sport of horseracing. The Mares Maiden Series has always been considered an important start point for many fillies and mares, several of whom will transfer to the breeding industry once their racing days are over, whether just on point-to-point courses or latterly on jump tracks. Historically these races have always been well supported and we obviously hope the coming season's Champion Mare goes on to draw the generous bonus being offered by The Jockey Club."
ROBERT WALEY-COHEN ANNOUNCES HIS RETIREMENT AS CHAIRMAN OF THE POINT-TO-POINT AUTHORITY BOARD
Robert Waley-Cohen an Independent Board member and Chairman of the Point-to-Point Board since January 2005 and the Point-to-Point Authority, since its inception in June 2008, has retired after nearly seven years at the AGM of the Point-to-Point Authority held on 14th October. His term of office was due to end on 31st December but in light of increased commitments in other areas of the racing industry, he with the support of the Board, decided stand down earlier.
Interviews were held in July of this year for a new Independent Board member, after which it was announced Simon Claisse had accepted the opportunity so would therefore take up the role as of 1st January 2012 when Robert Waley-Cohen was due to step down. However in light of Robert's decision, Simon Claisse will take up his term of office with immediate effect.
At the Board meeting held on the same day to elect a new Chairman, the Board resolved to ask Simon Claisse to assume the role and is delighted to announce that further to his role as an independent Board member, Simon has accepted with immediate effect the role of Chairman of the Board.
Robert Waley-Cohen:
"It has been honour to serve as Chairman of the Point-to-Point Board and the Point-to-Point Authority for nearly seven years. The implementation of the Hunting Act in February 2005 could have resulted in major changes in the structure of the sport but the hunting community's determination to continue to hunt within the law has meant this did not occur. However the decision to establish the Point-to-Point Authority to assume responsibility for the governance, whilst Regulation remained the responsibility of the BHA, has resulted in the modernisation of the administration of the sport as a result of the undivided focus the Point-to-Point Authority has been able to provide. Simon Claisse has a great knowledge of the sport both from being an active participant and as an administrator, so I am delighted he has accepted the role as Chairman."
Simon Claisse:
"I am looking forward to returning to the Board* and working with fellow Board members and the Executive to further enhance the way in which the Board supports Point-to-Point Organisers, Owners & Riders, encourages participation, the promotion of sponsorship and attendance at fixtures along with the continued guarantee to demonstrate accountability transparency and open communication to all involved.
Having long been an advocate of the sports governance, administration and direction being in the hands of its constituent's, the sport should be proud with the way in which the PPA has performed since its creation in 2008. This has been achieved along with hard work and commitment as well as by the wealth of "grass root" experience and knowledge of the Board members.
*Simon Claisse sat on the Board from 2004 to 2009 in the capacity as the member representing the Point-to-Point Owners & Riders Association (PPORA)
Existing members of the Board are:
· Richard Russell (The Jockey Club)
· Michael Felton (Master of Foxhounds Association)
· Steven Astaire (Point-to-Point Secretaries Association)
· Richard Fuller (Point-to-Point Owners & Riders Association)
· Heather Kemp (Independent Member)
· Tabitha Cave (Independent Member)
For further information please contact the Point-to-Point Authority: 01285 841920 / info@p2pa.co.uk
History of the National Hunt Chase 1860 - 2010
by
Peter Stevens
To celebrate the 150 year anniversary, Peter Stevens has written a book recording the history of the National Hunt Chase 1860-2010.
The most comprehensive analysis of a single jump race ever produced, it gives a fascinating insight into steeplechasing history and also looks at several aspects of National Hunt racing in nine dedicated chapters.
Printed and produced in hardback to a high standard, the 408 pages will provide any enthusiast of NH Racing with an unparallelled insight into the origins, nature and social evolution of the sport.
The amateur and point-to-point side of the sport has been given extensive coverage.
The full winning history of every participant is documented, all of which provides the most comprehensive record ever produced for any jump race.
Full results and accounts of the races are provided, together with descriptions and maps of the various courses at which it was held and the horses and people involved.
A detailed picture has been painted of the 27 locations at which the race was staged, from the original race over a natural country course at Market Harborough to the present-day contest over four miles of the Old Course at Cheltenham.
Author: Peter Stevens is a Chartered Surveyor, but has spent some time as a serious punter. His particular interest is the amateur side of the sport and he was the first person to visit all the British racecourses and point-to-points.
PUBLICATION DATE Friday 12th November
(signing at Cheltenham)
ISBN: 9780956725004 Price: £30
Dedicated website at www.nhchase.co.uk
