A HORSE race trainer has stepped in to help save a point-to-point meeting which was facing an uncertain future.

Staintondale Hunt had decided not to hold its Easter Monday point-to-point meeting because committee members were worried about losing money and incurring costs.

“That can’t happen,” said legendary trainer Mick Easterby when he heard the news. “They can have it at my course.”

The sport of point-to-pointing in Yorkshire is healthy, with plenty of horses in training, leading to competitive racing and great theatre for the paying spectator.

Eight years ago, a gap in the calendar was filled with the formation of the Yorkshire Area Point-to-Point Club, who held their first meeting at Charm Park. Following this, a purpose- built course was established at Sheriff Hutton and the Yorkshire Area Club meeting has been held there ever since, raising money – in excess of £60,000 to date – for the Yorkshire Air Ambulance.

The Staintondale organising committee has joined forces with retired trainer Jack Berry, who is behind the rehabilitation centre for injured jockeys and stable staff which is due to be built in Malton.

The new point-to-point meeting will take place on Monday, April 21, and will raise funds for this worthwhile project.

The cost of the build is nearly £3.5m and the need for the centre was highlighted by the injuries incurred by Thirsk-based Brian Toomey in a fall at Perth over the summer, who is having to travel to Oaksey House in Lambourn for physiotherapy and recuperation.

Fiona Mudd, secretary for the Staintondale Hunt, said: “After a couple of years where we have only just covered costs, it looked as though we would have to cancel our point-to-point. We are very grateful for the use of Mr Easterby’s course and are certain that the course location and Bank Holiday Monday date will attract big crowds looking for a family day out at the end of the Easter holidays.”

Mr Berry said: “There are many projects and activities taking place in order to raise the funds needed to build the centre, but the point-topoint is very apt, given that it is being built for those who are putting on the entertainment out in the field. The area is lucky to have such an enthusiastic supporter of point-topoints in Mick Easterby and his contribution is not only very significant but generous too.”

The meeting takes place at Sheriff Hutton and admission is £10 per adult with under 12s free. The Yorkshire point-to-point season starts on Sunday with the Yorkshire Area Point-to-Point Club meeting at Sheriff Hutton and runs until Saturday, May 17, with 18 fixtures being staged across the county.