Point-to-point racing returns! All the details ahead of Sunday

British point-to-pointing has never been more exciting, and the opening fixture of the 2025-26 season takes place at the Lower Machen, South Wales on Sunday, November 9. 

Racehorse owner Dai Walters bought the land since racing last took place at the venue in May 2019, and alongside a team of keen supporters, the picturesque course has been refurbished plus has attracted a healthy entry of 76 spread across six races, with the first at 12pm. 

Sharing clerk of the course duties are licensed trainer Sam Thomas (pictured above) and Tim Jones. 

Thomas explains: “Mr Walters has been incredibly supportive and has fully embraced making improvements to the track, which include levelling the once steep part of the back straight to make a gradual gradient and building a barn to facilitate the owners and sponsors on race days. 

"Will Biddick and I rode around the track a few weeks ago and were both very happy with it.” 

Jones said: “We are club meeting and have relied upon help and support of volunteers over the past couple of months. Working parties of up to 20 of us each Sunday have been on site getting the job done. It hasn't just been local people either, we have had help from out of the area, people who have travelled a few hours.” 

He added: “My wife has been feeding us well!” 

One such example is Phil Rees, who tells us: “I lived in South Wales in the 1980's and whilst reporting on pointing for the sporting life made some life-long friends in the area. Resurrecting Machen after a six-year absence was an ambitious undertaking and I thought they would appreciate some practical help with refurbishing the fences. 

"Machen is about an hour from me in Hereford and there are plenty of volunteers who have travelled to help- it is our way of doing our bit to keep the sport going. The whole team are amazing and have been rewarded with an excellent entry which should produce high quality and competitive racing.” 

Machen hosts the launch of the GB pointing bonus race maiden series for four and five-year-olds. A new initiative funded by The Horseracing Levy Board (HBLB) and sponsored by Tattersalls and Goffs UK, and it sits perfectly in time for the Tattersalls sale at Cheltenham after racing on Friday, November 14. 

Winners of these races become eligible for a bonus when they win their first race over hurdles or fences under rules within two calendar years of their initial maiden race win. £25,000 to a British-bred winner and £15,000 to a horse bred outside of Britain. 

Increasing the number of higher quality horses being bred, owned, trained and raced in Britain is the aim, whilst also further strengthening the links between point-to-pointing and racing under rules. 

15 entries have been received for Sunday's race, and many of the commercial yards have entries, and last seasons champion trainer Josh Newman has an intended runner. He says: “We plan to run Millyellen, she is a four-year-old filly and is ready to go. The bonus is great, anything to encourage more runners to make competitive racing has to be a good thing and can only help us to become as popular in terms of sales horses as the irish are.” Under the current rules licensed trainers can run in point to points with horses in their ownership and both Tim Vaughan and Tom Lacey both have entries. 

Our sport is also a wonderful stage for ex rules horses to compete and both the mens and ladies open races have a valuable prize pot of £1000 to the winner. Each race has attracted some useful types. The David Brace duo of Paint The Dream and Gats and Co hold entries and if either were to win they would be very popular welsh winners. Cheshire based handler Joe O'Shea has his top horses entered and can be relied on to start the season well. Paul Marvel could prove hard to beat in the ladies whilst Willewonga and newcomer St Cuthberts Cave, a winner last time under-rules could line up in either race. 

Last seasons champion riders Gina Andrews and James King both have intended rides and an excellent day is promised. 

The gates open 10am, and the postcode is NP10 8GA. The first of six races gets underway at 12pm. For more information, click here.