Shark Hanlon set to run two as new track in Wales welcomes Irish runners to International meeting

It has taken an awful lot of hard work to get the Welsh International meeting up and ready for this weekend, and organisers have been well rewarded for their efforts with a bumper entry from Ireland including a couple of nice types representing King George-winning trainer Shark Hanlon.

Last year’s meeting was held at Trecoed, and the loss of that course could have been a major setback. Instead, the Pembrokeshire Hunt rose to the challenge of finding a new venue, and this weekend’s fixture will take place at a new course at Ffynnon Druidion, near Fishguard.

Chairman of the point-to-point Gary Barber explains: “We built the course at Trecoed in 2002 and when it closed last season a number of us were keen to build a new one. We just felt that with fewer and fewer courses in Wales we had to try to keep it going. Owen James, who is a sheep farmer and a keen hunting man, offered us his land and has been very supportive, so we’re all very excited.”

John Mathias, a course inspector and former amateur jockey, is also enthusiastic, saying: “It is exciting to see a new track in Wales. It is left-handed and will be a fair track. It is old meadow turf that has never been touched so it creates a lovely racing surface. We have had some rain and are due more on Friday, but watering also started at the beginning of the week. The going is good. Having the Irish coming over adds to the excitement, hats off to the organising committee. I must thank them all, it is a huge amount of work.”

While other point-to-point meetings in the country are open only to British-based qualified horses, the Welsh International has special conditions to allow Irish runners, making the most of its location near the border. Meeting secretary Lucy Thomas has been instrumental in encouraging Irish runners.

Thomas, who works as lead officer for the animal health and welfare department at Pembrokeshire County Council and is therefore used to dealing with import and export health certification and licensing of all livestock and horses in and out of Wales at both Pembroke and Fishguard docks, says: “It is so easy for the Irish to get here, and we are three miles by road to Fishguard. The boat times have changed recently too, which means runners can come over and back in a day. We are thrilled with the Irish entry and I’m led to believe several are coming.”

Hanlon is certainly coming, although I have it on good authority that he has already been in contact to explain he is a foot passenger and would like someone to collect him from the ferry.

Hanlon says: “We’re definitely going over with two horses. Sharing Is Caring is by Free Eagle and a half-brother to Hallowed Star, who won many races for us. We think he’s nice. We also have Jury Belle, a Jukebox Jury filly who is a half-sister to multiple black-type horses. She’ll run in the Flat race and will hopefully go back to Galway for the mares’ bumper. She’s doing everything right at home and we like her a lot.”

In all, Irish trainers account for 17 of the 70 entries, with County Wexford-based Cormac Doyle another set to run multiple horses, all maidens but entered in the restricted and conditions race too.

“I plan to bring four,” says Doyle. “They are a good gang and whatever they do they will come home and either go to the sales or an online sale. Mint Approved and Charlies Jetaway would be my best chances, and will run in the maidens. Jack Hendrick will ride them all and I made multiple entries so as to save them taking each other on.”

Welsh area secretary Beverley Thomas is thrilled with the overall entry, especially as Fishguard can be a long journey for those based in Britain.

“Due to the location of the course, welcoming the Irish is sensible,” she says, “but we are thrilled with the support from our own. The team have worked so hard. Wales has been up against it recently, but this is a new start.”

Point-to-points are becoming increasingly popular for all the family and providing entertainment for everyone on the day has never been more important, so alongside the racing on Saturday will be a country fair, a dog show, terrier and lurcher racing, and many trade stands.

Weekend fixtures

Saturday
Dingley Market Harborough, Leicestershire LE16 8PJ. First race 2pm, 6 races
Ffynnon Druidion Fishguard, Pembrokeshire SA64 0LD. 2pm, 6 races

Sunday
Kingston Blount Oxfordshire OX39 4SG. 2.30pm, 6 races

Monday
Chaddesley Corbett Worcestershire DY10 4QT. 2pm, 6 races
Upcott Cross Devon EX21 5AE. 2pm, 6 races

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