New £10,000 bonus scheme launched to support British-bred point-to-pointers

A new £10,000 bonus scheme designed to boost demand for British-bred National Hunt horses and encourage greater participation in British point-to-point racing has been launched ahead of the 2026/27 season, with immediate effect.

The new GB-Bred Point-to-Point Bonus Scheme, supported by Arena Racing Company (ARC), Goffs, Tattersalls Cheltenham and the Horserace Betting Levy Board (HBLB), represents a £525,000 investment commitment over three years to strengthen the market for young British-bred National Hunt horses.

Developed by David Redvers, breeder and Chair of Gloucester Races and Naomi Mellor, CEO of the Thoroughbred Breeders' Association (TBA) in collaboration with the Point-to-Point Authority (PPA), the initiative will award a £10,000 bonus to the registered owner(s) of an eligible British-bred horse winning a qualifying four- or five-year-old maiden point-to-point race with 15 qualifying races included.

The scheme has been introduced in response to the continuing decline in the British National Hunt breeding population and the need to strengthen the competitiveness of British-bred horses.  

By rewarding success at the point of a maiden victory, the new scheme aims to stimulate demand for British-bred young horses, strengthen their value in the marketplace and encourage breeders and owners to retain and campaign horses here in Britain.

The initiative builds on and complements the existing GB Pointing Bonus, introduced in 2025, which offers qualifying winners a further £25,000 for British-bred horses or £15,000 for horses bred elsewhere, should they subsequently win their first eligible development race under Rules.

The two schemes will operate alongside one another, meaning an eligible British-bred horse could earn £35,000 in combined bonuses through a qualifying point-to-point maiden win followed by a qualifying victory under Rules.

Naomi Mellor, Chief Executive of the Thoroughbred Breeders' Association, said: “The continuing decline in the British National Hunt breeding population is a major concern, and we must take collective action to improve the incentives and opportunities available to breeders and owners.

“This scheme is an important step in strengthening the market for British-bred young horses by rewarding success at an earlier stage in their careers. We know that incentives can influence purchasing and breeding decisions, and we hope this will encourage greater investment in British-bred bloodstock and support the long-term future of the sector.

“We are particularly grateful for the funding support from the Horseracing Betting Levy Board, alongside ARC, Goffs and Tattersalls for this initiative, which demonstrates a shared commitment to British breeding and the future supply of National Hunt horses.”

Alan Delmonte, CEO of the Horseracing Betting Levy commented: “The HBLB is pleased to enhance its long-standing support for Point-to-Point racing and British breeding with funding towards this scheme. It is especially welcome to see cross-industry funding and support.”

Paul Miller, CEO of the Point-to-Point Authority, added: “As the grassroots of British jump racing Point-to-Pointing plays a vital role in developing young National Hunt horses and providing an important foundation for the wider racing industry.

“The introduction of this new £10,000 bonus will provide a significant additional incentive for owners and trainers competing in the Young Horse Maiden Series, while recognising the contribution of British breeders to the sport.

“We look forward to working with our partners to deliver the scheme and encourage greater participation throughout the 2026/27 season.”

Shirley Anderson-Jolag, Tattersalls Cheltenham Sales Manager said: “Tattersalls is delighted to support this important initiative, building on our existing support of the Young Horse Maiden Series.

“Point-to-pointing is a key cog in identifying and developing future stars of the sport, and a £10,000 bonus at maiden level has the potential to make a real difference to purchasing decisions and encourage greater investment in British-bred young horses.

“By working collaboratively across the industry, we can help support British breeders and promote the quality of their produce.”

Sam Cone, Head of Public Communications and Public Affairs for Arena Racing Company said: “Everyone at ARC is delighted support this new initiative, which we hope will provide a further meaningful incentive to invest in British-bred National Hunt horses.

“We very much look forward to working alongside our fellow partners to promote the scheme across our racecourses and beyond.”

Tim Kent, Managing Director for Goffs UK added: “This is another positive example of the industry working together for the long-term health of the sport and Goffs is delighted to be part of a scheme which complements our existing support of the Young Horse Maiden Series.

“This initiative demonstrates what can be achieved when we get our heads together and we are confident that the new bonus scheme will stimulate demand for British bred horses at every stage of the sales cycle.”

The scheme will operate across the qualifying races of the GB Pointing Bonus Young Horse Maiden Series, with payments awarded to eligible British-bred winners of four- and five-year-old maidens with a minimum of three starters.

An initial three-year programme will run from the 2026/27 season.

Further information on the 15 qualifying races and the scheme's terms and conditions are available via the Point-to-Point Authority website here.

1. Qualifying Races. To become eligible for a GB-Bred Point to Point (P2P) Bonus, a horse must win a maiden race staged on a British point-to-point racecourse forming part of the GB Pointing Bonus. Young Horse Maiden Series (a “Qualifying Race”). A list of all Qualifying Races, confined to four and five-year-olds, is published annually by the Point-to-Point Authority (PPA).
2. Minimum Field Size. A Qualifying Race will only trigger eligibility for a Bonus if at least three horses start the race. Races with fewer than three runners will not give rise to a Bonus payment.
3. Walkovers. Horses that walkover in a Qualifying Race will not become eligible for a Bonus.
4. Divisions. Where entries for a Qualifying Race are such that the PPA divides it into two or more divisions, each division will be treated as a separate Qualifying Race for the purposes of this Scheme, and the winner of each division may separately become eligible for a Bonus, subject to Clause 2.
5. GB-Bred Requirement. To win a Bonus, the winning horse must be GB-bred, using the definition of “Great Britain, Britain, or GB” as England, Scotland and Wales.
6. Keeper and Certification. As required under the rules of point-to-point racing, and not as an additional condition specific to this Scheme, the winning horse must at the time of the Qualifying Race hold a current, valid Hunter Certificate (HC1) and be with a GB-based keeper. Eligibility for the Bonus itself depends only on where the horse was bred, not on where it is trained.
7. Bonus Amount and Payment. The Bonus is £10,000 per horse and is paid to the registered owner(s) at the time of the horse’s Qualifying Race win. Payment will be made through the owner’s registered Weatherbys Racing Bank Account or BHA account, following the same process used for the GB Pointing Bonus Scheme.
8. One Payment Per Horse. A horse may win only one Bonus payment under this Scheme, corresponding to its first Qualifying Race win. Any subsequent win in a further Qualifying Race by the same horse will not give rise to an additional payment.
9. Stacking with Other Schemes. A Bonus paid under this Scheme is in addition to, and does not affect eligibility for, any bonus subsequently earned by the same horse under the GB Pointing Bonus Scheme or the Great British Bonus (GBB) Scheme.
10. Nature of Payment. Reflecting point-to-pointing’s status as an amateur sport, the Bonus is a bonus payment and not prize money.
11. Term. The Scheme will run for an initial term of three years, commencing with the 2026/27 point-to-point season, subject to formal review at the end of that period.
12. 12. Administration. The Scheme is administered by the Point-to-Point Authority in conjunction with the relevant racing authorities.
13. For further information about the scheme contact [email protected]