We use cookies to improve your experience and to provide us with insight into how people use our website.
To find out more, read our cookie policy.
Cookies are tiny pieces of data stored on your device which can enable certain website functionality and collect information about how you use websites To find out more, read our cookie policy. You can manage which types of cookies to accept below.
These cookies are essential to the operation of this website and help provide basic functionality such as navigation and language support.
These cookies help us improve the performance of this website by giving us anonymised information about how you interact with it.
Fixtures & Results
Find upcoming meetings, course info and the latest results – everything you need to follow the season.
The latest point-to-point meetings across the UK.
Recent race results, placings and rider details.
Race venues near you with course and visitor information.
Stats & Media
Explore leaderboards, winners, and race stats, with deeper insights for paid subscribers.
The top horses, riders, and trainers this season.
Track up-and-coming stars and their progress.
Unlock deeper data and performance insights.
Join for access to exclusive stats and features.
Discover Point-to-Point
New here? Get to know the sport, its roots, and how point-to-point fits into the horse racing world.
A quick guide to the sport and how it works.
From hunting fields to race days, a short history.
How pointing connects with professional jump racing.
Learn more about pony racing and how it is connected to point-to-point
Get Involved
Whether you’re riding, training, owning or sponsoring, here’s how to be part of the action.
Participants
Resources and information for everyone in the sport, from jockeys and trainers to owners and officials.
Caroline Bailey’s announcement in July that she was handing in her trainer’s licence was followed by news that husband Gerald’s string of pointers was being disbanded.
This article first appeared in the Racing Post on Friday 21st April.
Given the Saunders/Bailey family’s involvement in point-to-pointing, it was as if one of the columns propping up the sport’s temple had been removed. No one is indispensable, but from a yard that had housed such greats as Castle Mane, Teaplanter, Teeton Mill, Gunner Welburn and Secret Bay, the decision had considerable resonance.
“We’re not going away,” said Gerald cheerfully through a gloom that had been brought about by challenges in recruiting and keeping staff. He added: “I’m planning on having a pointer in partnership with some good mates . . .”
It turns out the Baileys found a horse and, in keeping with their past record of success, he is proving to be very good. Ragnar Lodbrok, named after a Viking hero, won his fourth point-to-point of the season on 15th April and has been placed in two other races, giving the Baileys and their chums plenty of opportunities to max out at the boot of a car and toast their syndicate name of The Whisky And Water Partnership. “We should have been named Whisky And Stones [ginger wine],” says Bailey reflectively.
Eight-year-old Ragnar Lodbrok ran 18 times for Gordon Elliott or Denise Foster, winning just one maiden hurdle and later being sent to Ascot where, in May last year, Newmarket trainer James Owen, whose wife Jenny now trains the horse, picked him up for £12,000. Gerald says: “James found the horse and put him up to us, but we were wary, given that Gordon Elliott had only managed to win one race with him. It turned out the horse had a back issue and some of his bumper and hurdling form was good.
“He has an engine, and the smaller point-to-point fences help him, although he’s careful. He has made mistakes, but his jumping is getting better.”
Given their wide circle of training friends, opting to go with the Owens was an egalitarian strategy. Gerald says: “Other good friends are based closer to us, but we decided to spread things out – Tom and Gina [Ellis] run a great yard and their horses always look a picture, but I said to Tom, ‘we need some opposition for you!’
“It’s been a funny old year and giving up training hit us badly, me probably more than Caroline, but we’re keeping busy. I’m a terrible owner who wants to be telling the trainer how to do things, but I’m flat out with my dairy and ice cream business, which helps.”
