Remainder of Point-to-Point Season Cancelled

Twenty-four hours after Horse Racing Ireland announced the immediate end to the National Hunt season in the midst of the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, the Irish National Hunt Steeplechase Committee, have followed suit following a conference call meeting.

They announced that the remaining fixtures in the 2019/20 point-to-point season, which had been due to run until June 1st, would be cancelled, stating:

“With continuing uncertainty around predicting a resumption date for sporting events, the Irish National Hunt Steeplechase Committee today made the regrettable decision to cancel all remaining scheduled fixtures for this seasons and end the season with immediate effect.”

Paul Murtagh, Irish National Hunt Steeplechase Committee Registrar, said: “It is regrettable that we have had to come to the decision to end the current season and it is not one that was taken lightly, but without certainty regarding a date on which we could recommence the season the Irish National Hunt Steeplechase Committee felt it was appropriate to give clarity to all industry stakeholders at the earliest possible opportunity.
 
“In the coming days we will seek to engage and consult with the stakeholders to consider their views and explore various options, such as the possibility of staging some bumper races for horses with Hunter Certs as soon as sporting events can recommence and measures to enhance the Autumn 2020 programme of fixtures which may go some way to offset the loss of races this Spring.”
 
The Stewards of the Irish National Hunt Steeplechase Committee welcome stakeholders to convey their suggestions by email to huntercerts@ihrb.ie no later than April 12th.
 
A further announcement will be made following the consultation process.