BEAUFORT LAUNCHES INNOVATIVE NEW RACE FOR TRUE AMATEURS

The Beaufort point-to-point meeting at Didmarton on Saturday 4th March will see the first running of a new Conditions Race aimed primarily at riders who take part for their own enjoyment, without immediate aspirations to progress to riding under National Hunt rules as either a professional or amateur.

The Level 3 Conditions Race – for horses who have not won an Open or under rules since 1^st October 2020 – is open to any rider who does not have a Category A or Category B licence issued by the British Horseracing Authority; so most novice riders will be eligible, together with many others who have had more than five winners, but are happy to stick to riding in point-to-points.

Novice Riders races are often the focus of talented first-season riders who are attached to top National Hunt yards and therefore have licences to ride under rules, while many “corinthian” amateur riders – who have ridden more than five winners – have to compete on equal terms against the top jockeys in the sport.

Hopefully, this race will be well supported and give a welcome boost to the type of rider who has long formed the bedrock of point-to-pointing.