'It’s a dream start to the season' - Izzie Hill eyes 150-winner milestone after getting off to a flier with opening day double

The point-to-point season began last Sunday at Lower Machen in Monmouthshire and no-one was happier to be back than Izzie Hill, whose annual battle with Gina Andrews to become champion female rider started with a double.

Jongleur D'Ainay won the opening restricted race for Hill, who quickly followed up by winning the ladies’ open on Amrons Sage, with both horses trained by her father-in-law Alan.

Hill said: “It’s a dream start to the season. We hoped both would run well and they were both very game in wet conditions. As a team, it gives us loads of confidence for the season ahead, and I feel very lucky to be the one on top doing the steering.”

Looking ahead, Hill, the champion female rider in the 2023-24 season, added: “Winning another championship would be incredible, and I will be giving it a good go. Gina has a lot of firepower so, being realistic, I just hope to have the horses in good form and have as many winners as possible. 

"My goal would be to get to a career total of 150 winners. I'm on 137, including under rules, and it would be wonderful to achieve the 150 milestone.” 

Hill's two winners and Carys Morris’s win in the bumper meant female riders took three of the six races. Morris, who has six winners to her name compared to Hill's 137, has dreams of turning professional in time, and winning the bumper aboard a four-year-old debutant will help demonstrate her skills. 

Morris will be in good company if she does turn professional, with British point-to-pointing having provided the perfect stage for current female stars of the saddle such as Lily Pinchin and Fern O'Brien to learn the trade.

At the other end of the age scale, Devon's Jo Supple was also in action on Sunday, finishing second on Gats And Co, who is owned and trained by David Brace. 

Having been riding in races for 26 years, Supple's longevity within the sport is admirable, and she said: “I absolutely love training my body hard on a good diet, and I listen to loads of motivational podcasts to keep a positive mindframe. I love point-to-pointing and everything that comes with it.”

The meeting at Lower Machen also included the first race in the GB Pointing Bonus Young Horse Maiden Series, which attracted ten runners and was won impressively by the Luca Morgan-trained four-year-old Baron Du Brizais, who led over the second-last and won by six lengths.

Winning jockey James King said: “He's a really nice young horse and did it professionally. We've always liked him, and he'll definitely be one to remember in the future.”

Racing took place at Lower Machen on Sunday

Connections confirmed Baron Du Brizais will be entered in the Goffs UK Coral Gold Cup Sale on November 29, and winners of these races will be eligible for a valuable bonus if they win under rules, making them an attractive proposition for purchasers.

However, for all the joy of winning connections in evidence at Lower Machen, it was matched by those who had performed miracles getting the meeting on – the first at the track since May 2019, during which time the land had been bought by Dai Walters and transformed by a team of volunteers.

Walters added new facilities, including a barn offering connections undercover hospitality, which was kindly provided by the Welshman. Walters said it was “fantastic” to see so many people, adding: “The car park was packed and everyone was thoroughly enjoying themselves.”

Walters’ principal trainer Sam Thomas, who acted as assistant clerk of the course, said: “It was a top day, with lots of runners and a big crowd, with people still coming through the gates well past the start of racing. Hopefully, people will want to come back for the next meeting in April.” 

Paul Miller, chief executive of the Point-to-Point Authority, was delighted with how the season began, saying it was an “incredible start”.

“I couldn't be happier,” he added. “It was the product of a lot of hard work, time, effort and passion. I'd been kept well informed by those involved and they did a great job. I was delighted with the number of entries, particularly for the GB pointing bonus race, and as the lorry park started to fill, it was clear there were going to be lots of runners.

“The racing was great, with good-sized fields and some very nice winners. Many people commented that it was a ‘proper' day’s pointing. Well done to the team and congratulations to Wales – it was great to have you back.”

Fixture

Sunday
Badbury Rings, Dorset
First race - 12.30, 6 races

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