Kinsale Point to Point over the June Bank Holiday weekend is one of the most eagerly anticipated fixtures on the sporting and social calendar. Racing gets under way on Saturday 4th June at 5pm, and on Sunday 5th at 3pm.
Chairman of Kinsale Point to Point, Pat Maher, said: ‘We look forward to welcoming Ireland’s finest jockeys, horses and trainers to Kinsale for some top class racing. I would like to thank all our friends who support us by sponsoring races and prizes. The point to point brings many visitors to our lovely town. I believe that what is good for the South Union is good for Kinsale, and what’s good for Kinsale is good for the South Union, so we look forward to an exciting and fun weekend.’
Kinsale promises a nail-biting finish to the season with only 4 points separating Jamie Codd (57) and Barry O’Neill (53) as they battle it out for the championship title. There is similar tension in the Ladies competition with Sheila Ahern (6) just one point ahead of Liz Lalor and Aileen O’Sullivan (both on 5).
Clerk of the Course, Donal Lordan, promises first class conditions on race day: ‘We are working hard to have everything perfect for the horses, jockeys and trainers. I have never seen the ground look better. The grass has been cut and we will be watering regularly in the run up to the Bank Holiday weekend. Jockeys always tell us how much they enjoy riding the Kinsale course so we are pulling out all the stops to keep everyone safe and happy.’
Aside from top class racing, Sunday is funday for all the family with free entry and entertainment for accompanied children, including pony rides, bouncy castle and face painting. One of the undisputed highlights is the Best Dressed Lady competiton, with a fabulous first prize of a €1,000 voucher from Frances Lynch and Hugh Fitzgibbon of Victoria’s Antiques. Best Dressed Gent takes home a four-ball for the world famous Old Head Golf Links.
Other valuable prizes are sponsored by Rogue Fitness, Egan’s Opticians, Hattitude, Fab Fillies, The Edge Hair and Beauty Salon, O’Connor’s Pharmacy, Angel’s Secrets and Daisy Chain florists.
For our four-legged friends there’s a Dog Show on Sunday, with a special prize for Best Dressed Dog! Entries accepted on the day.
Also on Sunday we will display the winning entries in our First Annual Equestrian Awareness Children’s Colouring and Art competition. Local schools were invited to submit pictures on the theme ‘Equestrian Awareness – The Art of Ponies and Horses’. The competition judge is photographer Giles Norman and the prize giving will be at 3.30pm, after the second race. Best Overall School will receive art materials worth €400, with prizes for 1st, 2nd and 3rd in class groups, thanks to generous sponsorship from Shannon Vale Foods Ltd, J Joyce & Co of Kinsale and Kinsale Equestrian Centre
Top jockeys, top trainers, and top entertainment are guaranteed at Kinsale Point to Point this June Bank Holiday weekend. Entry is €10 per adult with accompanied children admitted free. There is a full bar and live music on course, so leave the car at home and use the free transport from Kinsale Tourism Office from 4pm on Saturday and 2pm Sunday. For more information see www.kinsalepointtopoint.ie or follow us on Facebook and Twitter.
