Gina Andrews hails 'much less stressful season' after wrapping up 11th point-to-point title

The championships for the 2024-25 point-to-point season were decided last week, with Gina Andrews and James King crowned leading riders.

In the Goffs-sponsored women’s championship, Andrews regained her title to claim an 11th crown, finishing with 29 winners to the 18 of runner-up Izzie Hill, last season’s champion. Along the way, Andrews bagged her latest big personal milestone when riding a 400th winner between the flags in Britain in December.

“It has been a brilliant season,” she said. “I was delighted to get my title back — it was much less stressful than last season!”

In the men’s championship, sponsored by Tattersalls Cheltenham Sales, King stormed to his fourth national title with 57 wins, pulling clear in the final six weeks as early leader Josh Newman finished runner-up on 45.

Much of King’s success came through a strong partnership with owner-trainer Luke Price, who contributed 22 winners. This helped Price earn the Isuzu leading owner award, while his Inchidaly Robin took the Connolly's Red Mills leading horse award after eight victories.

“It's been another great season,” said Price. “We don't get going until late on because we rarely bring the pointers in until November. That isn't on purpose but we are so busy doing other things, so to finish with such good results is brilliant. We all work well together and James is such a big part of the team.”

James King: won the mens championship

King added: “It has been another amazing season. I am hugely grateful for all the support of some wonderful owners and trainers. Without them, none of this would be achievable.”

For Newman, there was at least the considerable solace of winning the Foran Equine leading trainer award for large yards. He has established himself as one of the top trainers in Britain and sent out 43 winners.

“We are over the moon,” he said. “We work hard, like everyone, and we have a good team at home — we are very lucky to have the people in the yard we do. To compete like we did last season and to smash those numbers is very rewarding. On a personal level, it has just been amazing.”

Andrews took the runner-up spot on 40 winners and will no doubt have bigger targets having taken over the training from husband Tom Ellis.

To celebrate the success of the smaller yards, the trainers' championship has been divided into three categories, with awards also going to yards with six-to-14 horses and those below six. 

Jennifer Owen was the winner of the 6-14 category, achieving 13 winners, and said: “It is really nice to have won this title. Big thanks to Alex Chadwick, Rupert Stearn and Conal Kavanagh for riding the winners. I must also mention Claire Sparkes, who travels the runners and helps us at the races. It's great for the team at home.”

Harry Ryall was the runner-up on 12 winners.

Alice Dawson was the winner of the Oriental Club-sponsored small yard award, leading the championship from start to finish and finishing with ten winners, three clear of her nearest pursuer Ashley Bealby.

“We have had a fantastic season with some amazing horses helped by hard-working staff and amazing owners,” she said, before adding: “Not a bad jockey either!” Dawson’s string are ridden by husband John, an accomplished amateur jockey.

Clara Brewitt and Rian Corcoran took the Highflyer Bloodstock novice rider awards. Brewitt’s win in the women’s championship came down to the last day and was secured on countback as she finished level on wins with Marina Bealby.

She said: “I'm so happy to have won. It has been hard work but the support I gained is overwhelming. I'm looking forward to next season already.”

Corcoran demolished his opposition in the men’s equivalent by riding 23 winners, ten more than runner-up James Shaw. “I am delighted to have won this title and to have also finished third in the men's championship," Corcoran said. "I have been very lucky to ride winners for a number of different owners and trainers and I just can’t thank them enough.”

Corcoran confirmed he now plans to turn conditional for David Pipe in July.

That will keep him busy while others from the pointing arena prepare to start again in the autumn. It will be a deserved break for organisers who have worked tirelessly to maintain conditions as a prolonged dry spell during the second half of the season made things difficult. Well done to everyone who kept things going.

Looking for free bets? Racing Post have got the best offers, all in one place. Visit racingpost.com/freebets to find out more.