Point to point meetings take place between November and early June and consist of six or seven races per meeting ranging between 2.5 and 4 miles in distance. The meetings are usually held at a point-to-point course in a rural / farmland setting, but sometimes take place at normal racecourses albeit with an altered course. The sport is effectively amateur horseracing over fences which are not as high as National Hunt steeplechase fences, but more substantial than hurdles.

The horses who run in each race have had to qualify by having been hunted four or more times during the current season with a recognised British Isles pack of Foxhounds, Draghounds or Harriers. Successful young point to pointers often go on to win National Hunt steeplechases, and such stars of the past include the well-known racehorses Denman, See More Business, Florida Pearl and Teeton Mill. Each of these horses started their career in point-to-points. The jockeys, both male and female, are all amateurs and also have to obtain a rider’s certificate. Some own their own horses, whilst others are riding horses which belong to other enthusiasts in the sport. As with the equine stars of point-to-pointing, some of these jockeys also go on to become professional jockeys – the now-retired professional jockeys Richard Johnson, Tom Scudamore and Joe Tizzard, amongst many others, started in point to points. Of today’s famous faces more than half of the professional jockeys riding at present cut their teeth in UK Point-to-Pointing. Amongst them Rachel Blackmore, Bridget Andrews, Sam Twiston-Davies, Harry Skelton, Nico de Boinville and Daryl Jacob are a few of the current crop.

The racecourse and viewing facilities at Dingley are almost unique, as all of the racing action can been seen from your car if you do not wish to leave your picnic during the day’s racing!! There are also Bookmakers, a Tote, refreshment and bar facilities available as well, together with a large array of Trade Stands at each meeting, selling clothes, pictures, and a range of other rural craft-based products. There are also confectionery and food stalls, together with family funfair attractions to keep everyone in the family happy throughout the day!

Point to points are best known for their relaxed family atmosphere and good social gatherings, coupled of course with exciting racing. A more detailed guide to point-to-pointing can be found here.

Children under 16 receive free admission to all three of Dingley’s three annual meetings.

It is a great family day out, to include your family dog, and we look forward to welcoming you to Dingley Races soon!

DINGLEY RACECOURSE

ADDRESS: Harborough Road, Dingley, Market Harborough LE16 8PJ, UK

WHAT3WORDS: overheat.heap.taking

DIRECTION: Righthanded

CLERK OF COURSE : Charles Millington

Dingley racecourse is a slightly undulating and in places very narrow course of approximately 3m1f, with a run-in of 155 yards in valley bottom. Fences 6/14 and 8/16 portable, whilst the fence 3/11 is very small; bend after the start can be tricky when wet.