Promising Young Horses Emerge as Irish Point-to-Point Season Yields Potential Stars
A wave of promising young horses are transitioning from the Irish point-to-point circuit to the National Hunt arena, attracting meaningful investment and generating excitement among trainers and owners. Recent performances and pedigrees suggest a strong cohort poised to make an impact in the coming seasons.
Early Indicators of Talent
Several four-year-olds have already commanded substantial prices, signaling confidence in their future potential.A £40,000 Mahler gelding, for example, boasts a pedigree steeped in National Hunt success, being a half-brother to both Burton Boru, a fairly useful 19-furlong hurdle winner, and Lucky Viv, a fair hurdler. This colt finished as runner-up in his sole Irish point start in March 2025.
Similarly, a £55,000 Getaway gelding has shown promise, placing third in his only outing in Irish points in may 2025. His lineage includes Enki Flacke, a bumper winner and fairly useful hurdler.
Debut Performances and Future Prospects
The transition to Rules racing is already underway for some. An El Salvador gelding recently debuted in a bumper at Down Royal on February 26, 2025, finishing fifth of 15 while wearing a tongue strap. According to observations, the horse “offered something to work on.†He is now preparing to make his hurdle bow.
Another contender, sent off at 33/1, shaped like a stayer when finishing third in a bumper at Carlisle on January 6, 2025, on his National Hunt debut. This horse’s dam is an unraced half-sister to Torduff express, a fair hurdler and useful chaser who stayed 4 miles.
Strong Pedigrees and Notable Breeding
Pedigree remains a crucial factor for potential buyers and trainers. A £130,000 Wings of Eagles gelding,aged four,has already demonstrated success,winning his second of two outings in Irish points in October 2025. He is described as an “interesting Rules newcomer†bred to stay long distances. His dam is a 2-mile to 2 -mile hurdle winner and a sister to Secret Investor, a useful hurdler and high-class chaser who stayed 3 miles.
A Bathyrhon gelding also stands out,with a dam who was a winning hurdler/chaser in France over 19 furlongs. He was runner-up in his second of two Irish points outings in October 2025 and is considered a horse to watch on his Rules debut, particularly given his connections with a “top stable.â€
Emerging Mares and Point-to-Point Success
The field isn’t limited to geldings. A £70,000 four-year-old and an £8,500 five-year-old Valirann mare have also shown early promise. The mare won her sole start in an Irish point-to-point in April 2024 and will race with a tongue strap.She is a half-sister to Onagatheringstorm, a fairly useful hurdler, and ardfert Mary, a chase winner.
These early indicators from the Irish point-to-point season suggest a strong pipeline of talent entering the National hunt ranks, promising an exciting future for the sport.
