Delight all round as British pointing secures record funding from the Levy Board

British point-to-pointing has received a significant boost with the approval of record funding from the Horserace Betting Levy Board (HBLB) for the rest of the year and the 2026-27 season.

The Point-to-Point Authority (PPA) was delighted to receive official confirmation of funding of £413,916 on top of the £250,000 already underwritten by the Levy Board for the GB Pointing Bonus programme.

This totals £663,916, the highest amount ever received for British pointing, of which £313,526 will go direct to point-to-point fixtures to ensure an even spread of meetings throughout the season and across the country; £40,390 for horse welfare; £25,000 towards marketing; another £25,000 for officials’ training to improve standards; and £10,000 towards drug and alcohol testing of riders.

Paul Miller, PPA chief executive, said: “We are delighted and can’t thank the Levy Board enough – to achieve this level of funding and the support we are receiving from wider racing stakeholders is phenomenal. Whether it’s the Levy Board, the Jockey Club or our national partners, we’re currently seeing record levels of funding coming into point-to-pointing. Total Levy Board funding is up around 50 per cent, the Jockey Club has increased its support by more than 25 per cent, and income from national sponsors coming directly to the PPA has increased three-fold in a very short period of time. All of this gets fed back into supporting and growing the sport.”

A spokesperson for the Levy Board said: “HBLB has been actively supporting point-to-pointing through fixture grants since 1974, in recognition of the significant contribution it makes to National Hunt racing. Point-to-points serve as a training ground for young horses, riders and trainers, as well as offering an appropriate second career option for horses stepping down from racing under rules.

“HBLB is encouraged to see the introduction of both the ‘hands and heels’ and ‘young horse maiden’ series for the 2025-26 season, which aims to further support the development of promising young riders and horses.”

This season has seen a number of new initiatives introduced in British pointing, including the young horse maiden GB bonus scheme, the 0-110 rated series, and the hands-and-heels series for novice riders. Together with a maximum of six races per meeting, a better spread of fixtures, improved novice rider weight allowances, increased prize-money, free jockey coaching lessons and subsidised entry costs, the early signs are promising.

Miller said: “We’ve got off to a great start this season, and hopefully the good news continues. Horse numbers are up, rider numbers are up, first-year riders are up, field sizes have been excellent and the quality of racing has been superb.

“The Levy Board has been a great supporter of pointing and we couldn’t do without their help. It is great for British pointing to be recognised for the important part it plays in jump racing. The GB bonus programme, underwritten by the Levy Board to the tune of £250,000, has received phenomenal interest and widespread media coverage. We’ve already seen some of the early series race winners go through the sales ring and achieve decent figures.”

Max McNeill: praised the quality of British pointers coming throughCredit: Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)

There is a growing recognition across racing of the part pointing plays and where it sits in professional jump racing. Miller added: “I was watching TV on Saturday and was delighted to see the interview with Max McNeill, co-owner of No Drama This End, when he commented on the quality of horses coming through the British pointing ranks. There is still a lot we can do to improve numbers and quality, but we are working on ways to do this, and the great news is we’ve only just scratched the surface – there’s a lot more to come. We’ve only just started with these new initiatives and I’m sure there will be more good news to follow, both on and off the track.”

Weekend fixtures

Saturday
Ampton, East Anglia, IP31 1NS. Gates open 10am, first race 12pm. 6 races.

Sunday
Sheriff Hutton, Yorkshire, YO60 6TN. First race 11.45. 6 races.
Wadebridge, North Cornwall, PL27 7JE. Gates open 9.30, first race 11.30. 6 races.

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