Image Caption: L/R: Trainer Pat Doyle, GAIN Equine Nutrition Business Manager John Hore and Jack Doyle.
GAIN Equine Nutrition proudly reaffirms its commitment to Irish point-to-point racing with the launch of the 36th annual GAIN Mares Series for the 2025/2026 season, celebrating Grassroots Racing Excellence.
The series was officially launched at the yard of renowned Tipperary trainer Pat Doyle, who enjoyed a standout 2024/2025 season with 18 point-to-point winners.
A long-standing fixture in the Irish point-to-point calendar, the GAIN Mares Series continues to support the development of young mares and the grassroots racing community. The final will take place next spring at Ballynoe, Co. Cork, where a €3,000 bonus will be awarded to the winning owner.
The 2025 final was won in impressive fashion by Carry On Heidi, trained by Jerry Baragry and ridden by Bertie Finn.
The five-year-old mare, owned by Patricia Baragry, delivered a commanding performance at Ballynoe, asserting her lead at the last fence and finishing two lengths clear of runner-up Some Joy. Her journey continued with a strong showing in the Cork & Waterford Mares Point-to-Point Flat Race at Cork Racecourse on Easter Monday, 21st April 2025, highlighting the pathway from grassroots success to competitive racecourse performance.
Speaking at the launch John Hore, Business Manager at GAIN Equine Nutrition, said: “We are delighted to continue our support of the GAIN Mares Series, which remains a cornerstone of the point-to-point calendar. Watching mares like Carry On Heidi progress through the series and onto the racecourse is exactly what this initiative is about - supporting the development of future stars. We wish all trainers, owners, and connections the very best for the season ahead.”
SarahAnn Madden of p2p.ie noted: “The series is hugely important to point-to-point racing in Ireland. It has such a history within the sport that few races have been able to maintain over such an extended period of time. The final at Ballynoe is a real community affair, perfectly encapsulating what makes the sport so special. Handlers around the country are already making plans for the 2026 renewal.”
To qualify for the final, mares must be maidens at the start of the season and finish 1st, 2nd, or 3rd in any point-to-point fixture during the current season.
GAIN Equine Nutrition remains committed to nurturing talent and supporting the vibrant point-to-point community across Ireland.
