It's love at first sight for Fergal O'Brien after record purchase of British-trained pointer Edith Pelham

The sale of Edith Pelham at last Friday’s Tattersalls Cheltenham Sale was a hugely significant milestone for British point-to-pointing and came at the perfect time with the sport about to enter a new phase of growth as it looks to the future.

When the hammer came down at £180,000 for the Blue Bresil mare, trained by Gina Andrews, she became the first ever British-trained sale-topper at a dedicated point-to-point auction. She is also the most expensive British-trained pointing filly or mare sold at auction.

Andrews said subsequently: “Absolutely delighted with the result. She deserved to make that money. Everyone that looked at her loved her!”

Fergal O’Brien made the winning bid on behalf of Jane May, a new client at his yard but a long-time owner and breeder who is based in Newmarket.

O’Brien said: “We're absolutely delighted with the purchase of Edith Pelham. I loved her as soon as I saw her and, more importantly, Mrs May, who knows plenty more than me about racehorses, loved her too. 

"We’ve paid plenty of money for her, but that’s what happens when two people want the same thing. Only time will tell, but she’s a beautiful stamp of a horse, she’s come from a very good yard and will have been very well done.

Fergal O'Brien: "She's a beautiful stamp of a horse"Credit: Edward Whitaker

“It’s great to purchase a British pointer and we look forward to purchasing more of her calibre from British point-to-points soon. I hope this is the way forward. We will do a bit with her from the end of March but then turn her away for the summer ready to bring her in for next season.” 

O’Brien is no stranger to purchasing British point-to-point mares. He purchased That’ll Do Moss, who won impressively at Brocklesby Park on point-to-point debut for Sedgefield-based trainer John Dawson in February 2024 before moving to O’Brien’s yard shortly afterwards. She won her debut under rules in a bumper at Uttoxeter in mid-June and went on to finish second in the Grade 2 Jane Seymour Mares' Novices' Hurdle at Sandown two weeks ago.

Paul Miller, chief executive of the Point-to-Point Authority, said: “We’ve been saying for ages that British pointers offer superb value for money and it’s great to see the quality of horses coming through finally being acknowledged.”

Looking beyond the immediate season, Miller has outlined ambitious plans to drive the sport forward. Central to this vision is a rebranding of the sport, including a newly designed recognisable logo and new website which will go live in October ahead of the 2025-26 season.

Miller said: “We are committed to modernising the sport while preserving its rich traditions. The new website and rebrand are about making point-to-pointing more appealing to existing racegoers and participants, as well as putting us on the radar of new audiences. The current websites aren’t fit for purpose; we need one centralised website with a modern mobile-friendly feel. There will be far more video and original engaging content, faster results and race replay video uploads."

Miller also has plans to reform the race-planning strategy aimed at increasing participation and engagement, part of which will be a programme of maidens for four- and five-year-olds which will play to the more commercial yards, potentially resulting in more sale-topping figures like that produced by Edith Pelham.

The Point-to-Point Authority’s new digital and content marketing manager Tiggy Vale-Titterton said: “We have a huge opportunity to elevate GB pointing and put it firmly in the spotlight. Through our rebrand, new website and digital strategy, we’re making the sport more visible, engaging and accessible to a wider audience. By harnessing social media, targeted content and modern marketing techniques, we can showcase the excitement, heritage and community spirit of point-to-pointing like never before.”

With last week's sale also demonstrating that demand for British-trained point-to-pointers is stronger than ever, the sport is certainly on the right path.

Weekend fixtures

Saturday
Didmarton, Gloucestershire, GL9 1EA, First race 13:00

Sunday
Larkhill, Wiltshire, SP4 8QR, First race 12:00
Ampton, Suffolk, IP31 1NS, First race 13:00
Charm Park, North Yorkshire, YO13 9QU, First race 12:30

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'We're all excited about this new course' - Scottish track Pusk Farm getting ready for first meeting on April 26 

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