Point-to-Point column: Champions crowned at season finale

A fantastic finale to the championships of the 2025/2026 season came to an end on Monday at Chaddesley Corbett in Worcestershire and Upcott Cross in Devon.

It was business as usual for our senior riders, with Gina Andrews wrapping up her 12th women's title. Sponsored by Goffs, she finished with 44 winners, whilst James King surpassed his previous best season in winning the Tattersalls sponsored men’s title on 65 winners.

For Andrews, the assault has been an uncompetitive one. The early season loss of the 2023/2024 title holder Izzie Hill left Andrews to storm ahead by 32 winners to her nearest rival Ellie Callwood, who finished on a personal best of 12 winners.“I have had another really good year, it was my third best seasonal tally so I am happy with that," said Andrews.

Men's champion King said: “I am so delighted to gain my fifth title, none of it would be achievable without the help and support of owners and trainers who put me up.”

Runner up Josh Newman rode 46 winners, but for the third season running secured the Foran Equine trainers' title for yards with over 15 horses. He also trained 46 winners and said: “We have had a great season, I am incredibly proud of our team and the horses. It is wonderful to reward the owners for their support and obviously the staff deserve the credit too.

"To win three titles on the bounce is a great achievement and it is great to keep improving season on season. We are the ones to be shot at now and have to keep up momentum year on year to improve the horses and keep the owners supporting us.”  

As per usual King was well supported throughout the season by Luke Price who, for the first time won a trainers title. For yards with six -14 horses and also sponsored by Foran equine, Price ended his season on 24 winners. He was also responsible for training the Connolly’s Red Mills Champion horse Lavorante, who is owned by himself and his cousin David Van-Pouke.

Lavorante finished on seven wins and also had four second places throughout the season. Price said: “It has been a brilliant season, we started much earlier than normal, had a few get injured but it has all come good. We have no staff, it is just Evie and I doing all the work. It is really tough for us to get owners because we are based in South Wales and there is so little Welsh racing now.

"Mike and Alison Owen are very supportive owners and we are also so lucky to have James King on the team. He is a big cog in the wheel. Monday was brilliant to have a treble and for Lavorante to secure [the title of] champion horse.”

Sussex-based Katie Featherstone won the Highflyer Bloodstock novice women’s title with 11 winners, a tally which also left her sat in third in the main women's title. She will be one to watch in the future and said: “I have had an amazing season, I really hope it can help me to gain more success whether that be riding or training. I am so grateful to all the people who have supported me.”

Sixteen-year-old Lucas Murphy has ridden 18 winners and was the clear winner of the Highflyer Bloodstock novice men’s award. “I never imagined my first season could possibly go so well," he explained.

"I started off with the intention of having some fun on Grandad’s horses and I have been so fortunate to gain so many outside rides. Being in school has made it very challenging, but huge credit and thanks to all that have helped me. The lads in the weighing room have been fab and I am really looking forward to next season.”

Jennifer Owen, who is married to licensed trainer James Owen, has also gained a second trainers title, but this year in the category for those with five or less horses. In a tight battle throughout, she finished on ten winners, matching that of Yorkshire’s Charles Clark, but Owen pipped it on count back having trained more seconds.

“I am delighted to have won a title for the second year running and thank you to all our loyal and supportive owners and to our very hard working team at home," she said. "A special mention to Claire Sparks who goes racing with all the pointers and does a fantastic job.”

John and Sonia Gardener have enjoyed a fantastic season in becoming leading owner. They have had 14 winners and are lucky enough to own both Woodstock Octo and Clonagoose in partenrship with Torben Hughes. Each of them so nearly won the Connolly’s Red Mills leading horse award. Gardener said: “We are so lucky, we have been in this game for years and about 20 years ago we went three years with no winners so we do know each side of ownership.”

The National point-to-point awards dinner and dance takes place on Saturday, June 27 in the Panoramic Restaurant at Cheltenham Racecourse, where award winners will be presented with their prizes.

Head to the shop on the GB pointing website for more information.