Point-to-Points are amateur steeplechase races run over fences. Only qualified amateur jockeys can ride in points to points and act as a vital starting point for both jockeys and horses alike. Usually held in the countryside at temporary courses, pointing in the UK acts as a big part of rural life. While in the UK, point-to-points are often dominated by older/ more established horses, in Ireland, they attract much younger horses, usually around four and five.
What many people don’t know is how many of the most well-known horses have come from point-to-points. Because of the stiff test of Grand National-like fences and over a three-mile trip, it is not much of a surprise that some of the finest horses have started here.
Below, we will talk about some of the biggest horses to come from a pointing background.
Florida Pearl
Florida Pearl was an Irish-bred horse who went on to claim a number of infamous wins and was trained by Willie Mullins. He made his debut as a 4YO Maiden at Lismore in March of 1996, winning by three lengths. By 1997, Florida Pearl had claimed his first Grade 1 win in the Champion Bumper at the Cheltenham Festival. What was to follow was an impressive career, winning four Hennessy Gold Cups (99,00,01,04), a King George (01), and a Punchestown Gold Cup in 2002, to name a handful.
Capping off a career with nine Grade 1 wins, with many memorable wins along the way. Most notably, the 2001 King George VI overturning three-time winner Best Mate by 3/4 of a length. His final race ended in glory, winning his fourth Hennessy Gold Cup in 2004. He retired following a minor injury, but at the grand age of 12, it signalled that his simply incredible career should end.
Denman
With a career lasting seven seasons with countless massive wins, Denman remains one of the most well-known horses in history. Trained by Paul Nicholls, Denman epitomised what it meant to be a relentless, powerful galloper with sheer stamina and strength, and such earned the nickname “the tank”. He won multiple big races, including the 2008 Cheltenham Gold Cup, the Hennessy Gold Cup in both 2007 and 2009 and the Lexus Chase in 2007, to name a few.
Denman started in the 2004/2005 season, trained by Adrian Maguire. He debuted at the Duhallow point-to-point, going off as 7/4 favourite. In a field of 16 rivals, he fought every one of them off and won by an impressive 12 lengths. Following this, he was bought by Paul Barber and Harry Findlay.
It took till just the 2005/06 season for him to win his first Grade 1. Simply an incredible horse with an impactful story and legacy.
Boston Bob
Boston Bob was a high-class staying chaser trained by Willie Mullins for Graham and Andrea Wylie, who began his career winning an Irish point-to-point before developing into a Grade 1 performer. Second in the 2012 Albert Bartlett and unlucky when falling at the last in the 2013 RSA Chase, he still gained major victories in the Melling Novices’ Chase at Aintree and the Punchestown Gold Cup, while also capturing the Bobbyjo Chase later in his career. Tough, genuine, and always campaigned at the top level, Boston Bob is remembered as a durable stayer who mixed it with the best of his generation.
Champagne Fever
Champagne Fever, the striking grey trained by Willie Mullins for Susannah and Ricci, began his career in Irish point-to-points, winning at Quakerstown in 2011. From there, he rose rapidly through the ranks, announcing himself by winning the 2012 Champion Bumper before returning to Cheltenham to land the 2013 Supreme Novices’ Hurdle. He went desperately close to a Festival hat-trick when caught late in the 2014 Arkle. Renowned for his bold, front-running style, Champagne Fever epitomised the raw talent and toughness that so often emerge from the pointing fields.
Envoi Allen
Envoi Allen is a French-bred horse who has been trained by both Gordon Elliot and Henry de Bromhead. He won at Ballinaboola, where he won by 10 lengths, and was then sold for £400,000 at the Cheltenham February sale in 2018. Since then, he has gone on to record a Champion Bumper in 2019, followed by a successful novice campaign.
The biggest successes have come after 2022, when he landed his first Champion Chase, followed by another in 2024. However, it is the Ryanair Chase win in 2023 which stands out for me. Maybe not the best run, but the grit and determination to fend off Shishkin and win by 2 3/4 lengths is something that will stick long in many racing fans’ memories.
Constitution Hill
One of the most famous two millers of all time first ran in a point-to-point at Tipperary. Up until the 2025 Irish Champion Chase, his run at Tipperary was the only race he would finish and not win. Following this, he was sent to the Goffs Horses in Training sale and was picked up for £120,000 by Nicky Henderson on behalf of Michael Buckley.
Since then, the rest is history. Eight Group 1 wins and a Grade 2 win have fired Constitution Hill into the front pages and have put his name into both racing and non-racing fans’ mouths, something of a rarity.
Closing Remarks
What is clear is that some of the greatest horses of the past and present have come from a point-to-point background. While many come from Ireland point-to-points due to its focus on younger horses, the UK point-to-point scene is still worth getting involved with.
It’s always important to highlight all aspects of racing. While here has shown the few who got lucky, they would never have had the platform to become the horses they were without it. Many people know the horse’s name, but few know its journey. One way to appreciate grassroots is by using its famous names to do so.
