LOUGHREA

Gates Open: 11:30 am
First Race: 2pm
Admission Prices: €10
Online Ticket Offer:

Track Biography:

The Galway Blazers have a long history of holding a point-to-point dating back over a hundred years. The hunt dates from the beginning of the 19th century and has established itself as one of the famous Irish Hunts due to the goodwill and generosity of farmers and landowners throughout the county.

We run two meetings a year at Dartfield just outside Loughrea with the first one taking place in October and the second fixture being held in April. The course is situated at Dartfield Horse Museum and heritage centre which is set on 350 acres of parkland just forty minutes from Galway city.

Over the years, Loughrea point-to-point has produced many top national hunt stars such as Bewleys Berry, Boys Hurrah, Brindisi Breeze, Never Compromise and King Johns Castle.


Loughrea Point-to-Point Races


Dartfield,
Kilreekill,
Loughrea,
Co.Galway


Contact Details


Pauline Gavin - 0872623443

How To Get There

By Road

From the Dublin take the M6 as far as the Ballinasloe West exit 15, and continue on the N6 towards Loughrea/Galway as far as Kilreekil village.  Dartfield is half a mile beyond the village on the right hand side of the N6.

From Galway take the M6 and exit at Junction 16 for Loughrea.  After approx. three miles on the access road you arrive at a roundabout, take the first exit. Continue past the Portumna Junction for less than a mile, and the entrance to Dartfield will be on your left.

By Air

Loughrea is situated 30 minutes from Galway airport and an hour and 50 minutes from Dublin airport.

Eircode

H62 Y564

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A Day At The Races

facilities
Facilities
food
Food
beverages
Beverages
faq
Faq
amenities
Amenities

Facilities

Our free parking is situated in the centre of the track which allows race goers to have a clear view of each fence giving you the chance to get up close to the action.

The position of our car park provides you with the ideal location to bring your own picnic if you wanted to base yourself from the boot of the car.

There is toilet and baby changing facilities in the café in the Horse Museum along with portaloos located around the course.



In our bookmakers ring you can view and bet on any off-course races on the day in both England and Ireland.

Food

In between races, spectators can avail of our popular outside caterers who sell everything from burgers and chips to bacon and sausage rolls to keep you full during the course of the afternoon.

Our caterer is located beside the parade ring which means you don’t have to venture too far from the action.

There is also the option of taking a walk up to the café located in the Horse Museum which sells tasty sandwiches and soups along with cakes and treats.

Beverages

Our outside caterer's sell tea and coffee to keep you warm during your days racing.

The cafe located in the Horse Museum sell a delicious range of hot chocolate drinks along with juices and soft  drinks for the younger race goers. 

faqs

Is there a dress code for point-to-points?

No, we do not have an official dress code we just advise our race goers to stay warm and dry for your days racing and to prepare yourself for all types of Irish weather.

Yes, we allow dogs to attend the point-to-point. However, we do ask that all dogs are kept on a lead at all times.

Yes, we welcome visitors to bring their own picnics as our parking inside the centre of the course offers the perfect location for a picnic.

At our point-to-point, we are lucky to have wide open spaces for children to play in a safe environment.

No we do not provide an ATM but we our only a short drive from the town of Loughrea which has ATM facilities so we recommend that you stop over on your way to the races.

Amenities

As the track is adjacent to Dartfield Horse Museum, a trip to our point-to-point provides visitors with a choice of attractions to have a look at. 

Dartfield Horse Museum is a fascinating place to visit for anyone interested in the Irish horse and its uses down through the years as it houses a room devoted to the Galway Blazers, an Art Gallery with a very comprehensive selection of old and modern paintings and prints and a selection of antiques.

The Museum also houses an excellent Tack and Country clothing shop and an array of beautiful gift items. There is also a Blacksmith’s Forge, where there is a daily demonstration of traditional iron work.

Dartfield also offers walking trails around the 350 acre farm, an array of farm animals as well as horse riding.

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Entries

2:00 2:30 3:00 3:30 4:00 4:30

THE COSTELLO FAMILY 4yo Maiden

Maiden Race For 4-Y-O For Certified Hunters aged 4 years old only, maidens at starting, the property of subscribers to any Hunt in Ireland.

Mares allowed 5lbs.

(Prize Money €800: 1st €560, 2nd €160, 3rd €80)

Weights: 11st 11lbs About 3 Miles

No Form Horse Weight Owner Hunt/Handler DE
1 BIG DIFFERENCE (IRE) (11yo B G)
PRESENTING (GB) / ROQUE DE CYBORG (IRE) / HIGH CHAPARRAL (IRE)		 11st 11lbs W.B. Connors
Colin Bowe		  
2 SOUTHERN NIGHTS (IRE) (11yo B G)
BEAT HOLLOW (GB) / ISLANDBANE (IRE) / ORPEN (USA)		 11st 11lbs W.B. Connors
P.M.J. Doyle		  
3 HENRY JOY (IRE) (11yo B G)
SHANTOU (USA) / SUE'S SONG (GB) / ALFLORA (IRE)		 11st 11lbs Milestone Racing Partnership
Colin Bowe		  
4 JOHN WICK (IRE) (11yo BL G)
WESTERNER (GB) / INISHBEG HOUSE (IRE) / GLACIAL STORM (USA)		 11st 11lbs Milestone Racing Partnership
Colin Bowe		  
5 LODGE HILL (IRE) (11yo B G)
OSCAR (IRE) / ESBEGGI (GB) / SABREHILL (USA)		 11st 11lbs Milestone Racing Partnership
Colin Bowe		  
6 RATH AN IUIR (IRE) (11yo B G)
FLEMENSFIRTH (USA) / AMATHEA (FR) / EXIT TO NOWHERE (USA)		 11st 11lbs Milestone Racing Partnership
Colin Bowe		  
7 PORTROE (IRE) (11yo B G)
ARAKAN (USA) / NICE RESEMBLANCE (IRE) / SHERNAZAR (IRE)		 11st 11lbs Thomas O'Flynn
Paul O'Flynn		  
8 QUARRY ROYALE (IRE) (11yo B G)
TIKKANEN (USA) / SILVER TASSIE (FR) / KALDOUNEVEES (FR)		 11st 11lbs Thomas O'Flynn
Paul O'Flynn		  
9 CABOOSE (IRE) (11yo B M)
RAIL LINK (GB) / CATCHING STARS (IRE) / HALLING (USA)		 11st 6lbs Rachel O'Neill
John Joseph Hanlon		  
10 TOBY MAGUIRE (IRE) (11yo B G)
DARSI (FR) / MINNIE MAGUIRE (IRE) / DR MASSINI (IRE)		 11st 11lbs Rachel O'Neill
John Joseph Hanlon		  
11 DANNY KIRWAN (IRE) (11yo B G)
SCORPION (IRE) / SAINTE BARONNE (FR) / SAINT DES SAINTS (FR)		 11st 11lbs Roger O'Byrne
P.M.J. Doyle		  
12 PASSAGEWAY (IRE) (11yo CH G)
STOWAWAY (GB) / LUSTY BEG (IRE) / OLD VIC (IRE)		 11st 11lbs Mary Doyle
P.M.J. Doyle		  
13 DEFINITE WISDOM (IRE) (11yo B G)
DEFINITE ARTICLE (GB) / WISDOM AND LIGHT (IRE) / ALDERBROOK (GB)		 11st 11lbs Cobajay Syndicate
Aidan Fitzgerald		  
14 SHETLAND BUS (GER) (11yo CH G)
SHOLOKHOV (IRE) / SHALI TORI (FR) / VATORI (FR)		 11st 11lbs Aidan Fitzgerald
Aidan Fitzgerald		  
15 DARSI IN THE PARK (IRE) (11yo B G)
DARSI (FR) / ROCK IN THE PARK (IRE) / ROCK HOPPER (GB)		 11st 11lbs Monbeg Syndicate
Donnchadh Doyle		  
16 DERBY (FR) (11yo B G)
POLICY MAKER (IRE) / BLUE LANE (FR) / PISTOLET BLEU (IRE)		 11st 11lbs Derby Survivors Syndicate
W.P. Mullins		  
17 FREEZING OSCAR (IRE) (11yo B G)
OSCAR (IRE) / ALFREEZE (GB) / ALFLORA (IRE)		 11st 11lbs Kieran Purcell
Kieran Purcell		  
18 KNOCK ON STEEL (IRE) (11yo B G)
ARAKAN (USA) / GAYE STEEL (IRE) / CRAIGSTEEL (GB)		 11st 11lbs Richard Eustace
Brian Jordan		  
19 RAISED WITH PRAISE (IRE) (11yo B G)
GETAWAY (GER) / NATIVE PINE (IRE) / BE MY NATIVE (USA)		 11st 11lbs J.E. Casey
J.E. Casey		  
20 WEAKFIELD (IRE) (11yo B G)
COURT CAVE (IRE) / THATS THE LOT (IRE) / FLEMENSFIRTH (USA)		 11st 11lbs Danestown Racing Partnership
Gavin Cromwell		  
21 WHATSAFELLATODO (IRE) (11yo B G)
BENEFICIAL (GB) / CARROWMORE QUEEN (IRE) / MONTELIMAR (USA)		 11st 6lbs Joseph Daniels
Joseph Daniels		  

Preview

Colin Bowe could hold the key to this contest as both RATH AN IUIR and Big Difference showed the required ability last season to suggest that they were well up to winning a four-year-old maiden. The French-bred Derby finished third behind subsequent sales-topper Madison To Monroe on debut at Monksgrange and is sure to step-up from that having stayed-on well on that occasion, whilst Passageway will have learned plenty from his debut at Belclare.

THE PIER HEAD BAR & RESTAURANT 5yo Geldings Maiden

Maiden Race For 5-Y-O Geldings For Certified Hunters aged 5 years old, Geldings only, maidens at starting, the property of subscribers to any Hunt in Ireland.

(Prize Money €800: 1st €560, 2nd €160, 3rd €80)

Weights: 12st 2lbs About 3 Miles

No Form Horse Weight Owner Hunt/Handler DE
1 BALLYDUN OSCAR (IRE) (12yo B G)
OSCAR (IRE) / CALLING CLASSY (IRE) / GOOD THYNE (USA)		 12st 2lbs Clondun Partnership
Denis Ahern		  
2 CANYOURINGMEBACK (IRE) (12yo B BR G)
ROBIN DES PRES (FR) / HUNTERS BAR (IRE) / TREASURE HUNTER (GB)		 12st 2lbs Con McSweeney
Roisin Hickey		  
3 DONT BE ROBIN (IRE) (12yo B G)
ROBIN DES PRES (FR) / RAINBOW TIMES (IRE) / JAREER (USA)		 12st 2lbs Peter Croke
Peter Croke		  
4 NULIFE GOLD (IRE) (12yo B G)
GAMUT (IRE) / LA BELLE BLEU (IRE) / LAHIB (USA)		 12st 2lbs M.G. Hogan
Denis Gerard Hogan		  
5 RAIL PARK LAD (IRE) (12yo CH G)
GETAWAY (GER) / NATIVE FASHION (IRE) / BE MY NATIVE (USA)		 12st 2lbs Kieran Purcell
Kieran Purcell		  
6 SHANTALUZE (IRE) (12yo B G)
SHANTOU (USA) / NUT TOULUZE (IRE) / TOULON (GB)		 12st 2lbs Richard Black
Richard Black		  
7 THE GREY PANTHER (IRE) (12yo GR G)
ARAKAN (USA) / SCOLBOA (IRE) / BOB'S RETURN (IRE)		 12st 2lbs Sarah Connolly
Aidan Fitzgerald		  
8 TWO TENS (GB) (12yo CH G)
RECHARGE (IRE) / MTILLY (GB) / MTOTO (GB)		 12st 2lbs Miss Sarah Hogan
Norman Lee		  
9 WELL TOM (IRE) (12yo B G)
WELL CHOSEN (GB) / OVERTHEMAS (IRE) / OVER THE RIVER (FR)		 12st 2lbs Aengus King
Aengus King		  

Preview

CANYOURINGMEBACK has a notable piece of form to his name as he finished an encouraging third at Killeagh on debut in a race which is working out very well with four subsequent winners emerging from it. Well Tom, from the Aengus King yard, was unable to re-capture his Quakerstown debut which saw him come down at the final fence while holding strong claims when he re-appeared at both Dawstown and Dromahane. Having been in front of a subsequent winner at the time at Quakerstown, he is capable of going close at his best, alongside the more experienced Don?t Be Robin

ROSSHILL FARM STUD, THE THATCH BAR, ORANMORE AND KCL BUILDING CONTRACTORS 5yo+ Mares Maiden

Maiden Race For 5-Y-O & Upwards Mares For Certified Hunters aged 5 years old and upwards, Mares only, maidens at starting, the property of subscribers to any Hunt in Ireland.

(Prize Money €1200: 1st €840, 2nd €240, 3rd €120)

Weights: 11st 11lbs About 3 Miles

No Form Horse Weight Owner Hunt/Handler DE
1 AUNTY KITTY (IRE) (14yo B M)
TIKKANEN (USA) / CRIMOND (IRE) / ZAFFARAN (USA)		 11st 6lbs Irene T. Walsh
Turlough O'Connor		  
2 BACH ALONG (IRE) (14yo CH M)
BACH (IRE) / DEWASENTAH (IRE) / SUPREME LEADER (GB)		 11st 6lbs James Hayes
William Hayes		  
3 CLOUDY DAY (IRE) (13yo B M)
DUBAI DESTINATION (USA) / MAISY DAISY (IRE) / LUSO (GB)		 11st 11lbs Miss Sarah Hogan
Norman Lee		  
4 COOLDANIEL (IRE) (14yo B M)
ROBIN DES CHAMPS (FR) / SMILES AGAIN (IRE) / BRUSH ASIDE (USA)		 11st 11lbs Dun Drinan Syndicate
Robert Tyner		  
5 CORUS GIRL (IRE) (13yo B M)
KAYF TARA (GB) / ALINGHI (GER) / TERTULLIAN (USA)		 11st 11lbs J.M. Fitzpatrick
William J. McLernon		  
6 CUBANERA (IRE) (14yo B M)
MILAN (GB) / CHIROUBLE (IRE) / HIGH ROLLER (IRE)		 11st 6lbs Andrew Kiernan
Heather I. Kiernan		  
7 DEISE DASHER (IRE) (18yo B M)
OSCAR (IRE) / NIGHTY BLESS (IRE) / EXECUTIVE PERK (IRE)		 11st 11lbs John Lehane
Patrick J. Kiely		  
8 DORA MARQUEZ (IRE) (12yo B M)
KALANISI (IRE) / FREE LIFT (GB) / CADEAUX GENEREUX (GB)		 11st 6lbs Eugene M. O'Sullivan
Eugene M. O'Sullivan		  
9 IN ARREARS (IRE) (12yo B M)
BENEFICIAL (GB) / GULLET DAWN (IRE) / FLEMENSFIRTH (USA)		 11st 11lbs G F Edwards
G F Edwards		  
10 JUST LIKE US (IRE) (13yo GR M)
VERTICAL SPEED (FR) / OUR TOURING GREY (IRE) / GREAT PALM (USA)		 11st 11lbs Ann S. O'Neill
Aidan Fitzgerald		  
11 NINETY SECONDS (IRE) (13yo B M)
PRESENTING (GB) / MYOWN (IRE) / LE BAVARD (FR)		 11st 11lbs Jill Louise Farrell
Miss M. Harding		  

Preview

CUBANERA has not got the best completion rate of late, however, she showed what she is capable of when on a going day at Ballingarry last season by finishing second against geldings. If putting her best foot forward, she has the experience to get off the mark here. Cooldaniel was still in with chances when coming down inside the final half-a-mile on her debut at Dromahane 12-months ago, and she could be the alternative in a wide-open race.

RENVYLE HOUSE HOTEL & RESORT AND MACDERMOT & ALLEN SOLICITORS Open 4yo + (4yo Mdns Excl)

Open Lightweight Race For Certified Hunters aged 4 years old and upwards, the property of subscribers to any Hunt in Ireland. No Penalties.

Mares allowed 5lbs.

4-y-o Maidens Excluded.

(Prize Money €1400: 1st €980, 2nd €280, 3rd €140)

Weights: 4yo 11st 11lbs 5yo 12st 2lbs

About 3 Miles

No Form Horse Weight Owner Hunt/Handler DE
1 A DECENT EXCUSE (IRE) (17yo B G)
FRUITS OF LOVE (USA) / BRAVE THISTLE (IRE) / BRAVEFOOT (GB)		 11st 11lbs Eugene M. O'Sullivan
Eugene M. O'Sullivan		  
2 CHANGE THE RULES (IRE) (16yo B G)
KUTUB (IRE) / JENNIFERS GUEST (IRE) / BE MY GUEST (USA)		 11st 11lbs Aengus King
Aengus King		  
3 FOLLOW THE MOON (IRE) (19yo B G)
RAINWATCH (GB) / CARROWMORE QUEEN (IRE) / MONTELIMAR (USA)		 11st 11lbs Joseph Daniels
Joseph Daniels		  
4 GOT THE NAC (IRE) (15yo BR G)
BENEFICIAL (GB) / HEY JUDE (IRE) / MANDALUS (IRE)		 12st 2lbs Teresa Flood
Peter J. Flood		  
5 SAMBREMONT (FR) (14yo B G)
SAINT DES SAINTS (FR) / RAINBOW CREST (FR) / BARYSHNIKOV (AUS)		 12st 2lbs S.J. Hegarty
D.M. Christie		  
6 VALCO DE TOUZAINE (FR) (15yo GR G)
DOM ALCO (FR) / NARCISSE DE TOUZAINE (FR) / ROI DE ROME (USA)		 12st 2lbs Roger O'Byrne
P.M.J. Doyle		  
7 VENITIEN DE MAI (FR) (15yo B G)
NETWORK (GER) / MEYLBA (FR) / GRAND TRESOR (FR)		 12st 2lbs Exors of the late Alan Potts
J.T.R. Dreaper		  
8 WESTERN MAN (IRE) (17yo B G)
WESTERNER (GB) / DIVINE PROSPECT (IRE) / NAMAQUALAND (USA)		 11st 11lbs Patrick O'Leary
Patrick O'Leary		  

Preview

Venitien De Mai was last seen running in the Kim Muir at the Cheltenham Festival in March, and whilst he would avoid coming up against the former Grade 1 winner Felix Yonger if running here instead of at Loughanmore on Saturday, this does not look any less competitive with the presence of A DECENT EXCUSE among the entries. An impressive winner at Castletown last Sunday in a high quality event, he is likely the one to beat with race fitness on his side. Follow The Moon caused a bit of an upset when winning this race last year, whilst Valco De Touzaine is another quality performer on his day.

JIM DERWIN Winner of One 4 yo+ (4yo Mdns Excl)

Winners Of One For Certified Hunters aged 4 years old and upwards, the property of subscribers to any Hunt in Ireland, which have not won a race under the Rules of Racing or Steeplechasing in any Country and not more than one Point to Point Steeplechase of any description. No Penalties.

Mares allowed 5lbs.

4-y-o Maidens Excluded.

(Prize Money €1200: 1st €840, 2nd €240, 3rd €120)

Weights: 4yo 11st 11lbs 5yo 12st 2lbs

About 3 Miles

No Form Horse Weight Owner Hunt/Handler DE
1 CHINATOWN BOY (IRE) (16yo CH G)
PRESENTING (GB) / ASIAN MAZE (IRE) / ANSHAN (GB)		 12st 2lbs Tae For Four Syndicate
Alison Murphy		  
2 GO COMPLAIN (GB) (12yo B M)
MOUNT NELSON (GB) / TROUNCE (GB) / BARATHEA (IRE)		 11st 6lbs Micheál F. Bates
Micheál F. Bates		  
3 HEEZ ALL TALK (IRE) (14yo B BR G)
ZAGREB (USA) / MYDANTE (IRE) / PHARDANTE (FR)		 11st 11lbs Teresa Flood
Peter J. Flood		  
4 KNOCKRAHA BOSS (IRE) (15yo BR G)
GOLAN (IRE) / HITS AND MEMORIES (IRE) / ACCORDION (IRE)		 12st 2lbs Exors of the Late Michael O'Donoghue
Adrian Maguire		  
5 ROBIN THE HARE (IRE) (12yo B G)
ROBIN DES CHAMPS (FR) / PRETTY PUTTENS (IRE) / SNURGE (IRE)		 12st 2lbs Rachel O'Neill
John Joseph Hanlon		  

Preview

ROBIN THE HARE dead-heated with Coole Hall on his debut at Tallow, and with that horse going on to win over hurdles at Kelso last Sunday, that form received a notable boost. Given that opening effort, it is tough to look past him on his first outing for Shark Hanlon. Knockraha Boss has lost his way slightly in recent times on the track, however he is proven in that sphere, having finished in the money on eight occasions under rules. A return between the flags could see him bounce back to his best.

EASYFIX & THE TURF CLUB 6yo+ Geldings Maiden (Nov Rdrs)

Maiden Race For 6-Y-O & Upwards Geldings Novice Riders For Certified Hunters aged 6 years old and upwards, Geldings only, maidens at starting, the property of subscribers to any Hunt in Ireland.

For Novice Riders who, at the start of the day, have not ridden more than ten winners under any Rules of Racing or Steeplechasing, including Point to Point Steeplechases.

(Prize Money €1200: 1st €840, 2nd €240, 3rd €120)

Weights: 12st 2lbs

About 3 Miles

No Form Horse Weight Owner Hunt/Handler DE
1 CROOKESMOOR (GB) (14yo B G)
VERTICAL SPEED (FR) / BROOMHILL LADY (GB) / DEFINITE ARTICLE (GB)		 12st 2lbs T.J. Nagle Jr.
T.J. Nagle Jr.		  
2 OKEY DOKEY (IRE) (13yo B G)
PAPAL BULL (GB) / ALLSORTS (USA) / LEMON DROP KID (USA)		 12st 2lbs Clare L. Cannon
Clare L. Cannon		  
3 ROCKMOUNT ROCKER (IRE) (13yo B G)
ALBANO (IRE) / COOLVILLE (IRE) / UN DESPERADO (FR)		 12st 2lbs Jennifer Hunt
P.M.J. Doyle		  
4 THE GERMANY ONE (IRE) (13yo B G)
GERMANY (USA) / VARNA PRINCESS (FR) / VARESE (FR)		 12st 2lbs Mysterious Men Syndicate
Ian McCarthy		  
5 TROLL D'OUDAIRIES (FR) (17yo B G)
SHAANMER (IRE) / FORLANE V (FR) / QUART DE VIN (FR)		 12st 2lbs Jeff Murphy
Daniel G. Murphy		  

Preview

On paper, this appears to be a match between ROCKMOUNT ROCKER and Troll Doudairies who both have plenty of experience to their names. Preference is given to the former who was unlucky not to get off the mark at Curraghmore last season. Newcomers Okey Dokey and Crookesmoor hail from notable yards and will have to be respected.
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