Politician calls for government intervention to save Irish point-to-point season

Calls have been made for government intervention to resolve the ongoing insurance crisis facing Irish point-to-point racing, with Cork East TD James O'Connor believing there is a "lack of understanding within government" about the severity of the matter.

Issues in securing cover for equestrian activities in Ireland have been escalating due to underwriters deciding against renewing policies, as well as a lack of other willing underwriters in Britain.

This is understood to be a knock-on effect of Brexit as a number of British firms are said to be unwilling to go through the red tape required to set up as insurers in Ireland for a niche market.

Many point-to-point meetings are reliant on being insured under the policies of hunt committees, which often organise fixtures and extend their hunting insurance to allow racing between the flags.

Minella Indo: the Gold Cup hero was one of 13 Irish point-to-point graduates to score at the Cheltenham FestivalCredit: Edward Whitaker

A lack of insurance cover has led to fixture cancellations and rescheduling, and concerns have grown in recent weeks as the beginning of the spring point-to-point season is scheduled for next Thursday.

O'Connor, a TD with Fianna Fail, said: "It is imperative the problem surrounding insurance for rural pursuits is clarified and that affordable premiums return once again for point-to-points and hunts in Ireland. It is hugely concerning that three point-to-points have been called off in January already."

O'Connor added: "There is a lack of understanding within government about the severity of this issue and the knock-on economic effect it will have on smaller breeders, owners and trainers in Ireland."

Not all areas are impacted by the issue. Fixtures in Northern Ireland are not under pressure due to separate policies, while it is understood meetings under the Cork and Waterford Association's remit are protected by a scheme not specifically tied to hunting.

"I am glad point-to-points can take place this season in the Cork-Waterford region due to an ongoing insurance scheme which has been running for nearly three decades," said O'Connor.

Minella Times: began his career in the Irish point-to-point sphereCredit: Tim Goode (Getty Images)

"Government should sit down with insurance companies to establish new regulations to govern high-risk activities. This has successfully been done in many countries where winter pursuits such as skiing are popular."

He added: "The claim culture in Ireland has had a dramatic effect on all aspects of sporting life, and if it is allowed to continue without controls it will lead to the demise of point-to-point racing.

"This is a matter I have highlighted with the Department of Agriculture and the minister of state Sean Fleming TD with responsibilities for insurance reform."

Pony racing has also been impacted by the insurance dilemma.

Doubts had been cast over the immediate future of the voluntarily run sector in recent months, but officials have been encouraged by fresh financial support from Horse Racing Ireland towards insurance costs after a meeting this week.

Jack Kennedy: one of the Irish pony racing circuit's most talented graduates over the past decadeCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

Aside from a separate donation of €12,500 from HRI earlier this year, the sector had thus far been operating without any financial assistance from horseracing's governing body in Ireland.

An update posted through the Midlands Horse and Pony Racing Facebook page on Wednesday stated: "We, as a united horse and pony racing group representing all regions, met with HRI chief executive Suzanne Eade and RACE Academy director Keith Rowe last night via Zoom.

"We would like to take this opportunity to thank them for their time, questions, and understanding of our insurance predicament. We are delighted to say we have been guaranteed €12,500 towards next year's insurance costs and, once we have the insurance quote in March, we will meet again to discuss raising any extra amount as required or as much as is feasible.

"They admire and appreciate all that horse and pony racing does for the Irish racing industry as a whole. They look forward to attending one or two meetings and we look forward to working with them on insurance matters.

"We hope to be able to announce a better working relationship with RACE and a more collaborative approach to jockey training and racing. Skills for life, to prepare riders for the track and yard."

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