SHERIFF HUTTON PTP
The Yorkshire point-to-point season got underway last weekend at Sheriff Hutton, hosted by Mick and David Easterby in aid of the Yorkshire Air Ambulance, and it proved to be a fantastic opening fixture despite the testing weather conditions. Following a week’s postponement, it was excellent to see such a strong turnout, with competitive racing and some impressively large field sizes still on show, despite horses having to be kept ticking over for an extra week. A bumper crowd, made up of plenty of locals from the surrounding area, created a lively and welcoming atmosphere throughout the day, underlining just how well supported point-to-pointing remains in Yorkshire.
Food and Drink
The food and drink offering at Sheriff Hutton was exceptional and well above what many would expect at a point-to-point fixture. Beautifully cooked hog roast was on offer, alongside excellent beef joints and steak served in the hospitality and sponsors’ area. For racegoers, there were plenty of bacon sandwiches available at a very reasonable £4, representing excellent value. A wide selection of homemade cakes and desserts, all prepared by volunteers and locals, were available throughout the day for around £4 and proved extremely popular, alongside a selection of freshly made sandwiches. In the same tent, a cash-only paid bar offered a broad range of drinks, including a standout homemade mulled wine, full of flavour and carrying a real festive feel despite it being mid-January. Lagers, ciders, wines and soft drinks were also available, all sensibly priced, contributing to a relaxed and enjoyable social atmosphere. Drinks could be taken trackside or to the parade ring, with plenty of bins provided to keep the site tidy.
The Parade Ring
The parade ring at Sheriff Hutton was particularly impressive, offering a large, open space with excellent viewing for the public. As the ground deteriorated slightly throughout the day due to the wet conditions, the size and layout of the ring allowed horses to be paraded on better ground pre-race, helping to save their legs and energy for the track itself. This thoughtful setup was clearly beneficial for both horse welfare and presentation, while also giving spectators a comfortable and accessible area to watch runners before making their way out to the course.
The Track View
The track itself is a real highlight of Sheriff Hutton. Laid out over a mile in an almost square, or “cubed”, shape, it offers superb visibility from many vantage points. With the ground rising towards the top end near the car park, spectators are treated to an excellent overview of the entire circuit. The course features plenty of fences, and with most races run over three-mile steeplechase trips, there was no shortage of action. Horses jumped fences right in front of the crowd before sweeping away around the course, allowing racegoers to enjoy both close-up excitement and broader panoramic views. The winning post sits on a slight incline, encouraging spectators to move from the rail to the line and watch horses battle it out all the way to the finish.
Atmosphere
The atmosphere throughout the day was outstanding and encapsulated everything that makes point-to-point racing so special. There was a genuine rural charm, from the tractor-mounted cherry picker displaying the chalked name and number boards, to the hunt horses standing proudly and overseeing proceedings as runners made their way to post. Bookmakers were well represented, facilities were excellent, and there was a strong charitable presence, with stalls supporting the Yorkshire Air Ambulance, the Injured Jockeys Fund and a local prep school. It was encouraging to see so many people donating through food purchases, pin badges and clothing.
Runners and Riders
The action on the track more than lived up to the occasion, with a well-balanced six-race card that delivered competitive racing from start to finish. The programme catered for all levels, ranging from a maiden and a novice contest through to both the men’s and women’s opens, ensuring depth and variety across the afternoon. The feature race was the GB Pointing Young Horse Series (Bonus Series), which was won in impressive fashion by Burrito for Dale Peters. It continued a remarkable run of form for Peters, who completed a double on the day and had also ridden a treble at another point-to-point fixture the previous afternoon — a jockey very much in red-hot form within the pointing scene.
There were also memorable moments closer to home, with local rider George Atkinson recording his first-ever point-to-point victory, sparking deserved celebrations aboard Sports Magic. It was fantastic to see a local success story so warmly received by the crowd. The card also featured several former National Hunt horses embarking on second careers between the flags, including Zhiguli, previously trained by Gary and Josh Moore, who put in a pleasing performance and showed plenty of promise as a pointing prospect. With top riders such as Gina Andrews, Dale Peters and Sam Lee all in attendance, the quality in the saddle matched the depth of the racing, rounding off an excellent day’s sport and underlining Sheriff Hutton’s status as a strong and competitive opening fixture for the Yorkshire point-to-point season.
Finally and most importantly, the day concluded with no fallers and no equine injuries, with all horses returning safely, a testament to the care and professionalism of jockeys, trainers and stable staff throughout. Overall, Sheriff Hutton delivered a warm, welcoming and thoroughly enjoyable day, providing a brilliant start to the Yorkshire point-to-point season. A huge well done to everyone involved — this is a fixture that truly does point-to-pointing proud.
Next fixture - Saturday 31st January at Askham Bryan PTP
