The name Mason is one of the best-known and longest standing in South Midlands point-to-pointing and Peter is the latest to carry that name to success, following in the footsteps of his grandfather and father Alex. Peter and Jennifer – who now holds a rules licence – have been training at Manor Farm in the beautiful Cotswold village of Ablington since 2007 and have sent out over 50 winners, to add to his 70+ successes in the saddle. Jake Exelby talks to him about his hopes for the season and his views on the state of point-to-pointing at the end of 2020.
“It’s been an incredibly strange year with the COVID situation,” Peter tells me, “And I take my hat off to everyone who has taken on the job of getting the point-to-points on so far –hopefully we’ll have a clear run for the rest of the season. It’s amazing how many people are involved in running each meeting as volunteers, who do all the work alongside their day jobs.”
“It’s also good to see that there is still plenty of demand for British pointers to go under rules,” continues Peter. “While we’re still behind the Irish, it’s nice to see them making money and performing on the course, with Santini being the best example recently. I really feel that pointing is a great education for young horses learning to jump, although I’m not entirely sold on the point-to-point flat races.”
Barley Hill
A big strong gelding who ran nicely at Maisemore Park to be second and should improve for the run – hopefully he’ll give his local owners a fun season. He doesn’t want really soft ground but he could go to Barbury if the ground is OK.
Bastien
A gent of a horse who won three hurdle races for Alan King but hasn’t won for a while so will be aimed at Conditions races. He’s schooled nicely at home so it was disappointing he fell at Kimble while going well, although it was too far out to know how he would have got on in the end. Has been hunting, which he enjoys. Entered at Barbury.
Frank And Honest
A grumpy mare! Was consistent last season for Laura Thomas, whose father Norman has kindly sent us three horses. She’s ready to run and has been keen at home but will hopefully relax on the racecourse.
Pithivier
He unfortunately suffered a leg injury after winning two staying races including the Lord Ashton of Hyde’s Cup in 2019, so has had a season out. Will be ridden this season by Lucy Brown, a very competent novice rider who is working full time for us – she’s a great asset to our team at home and will hopefully be rewarded with some fun on him. Lucy is incredibly hard working and dedicated to becoming a jockey and we’ll help her achieve that as best we can. He’ll be aimed at the (long distance) Ladies Open at Cocklebarrow but could run before Christmas first and is entered at Barbury.
Unnamed 4yo filly by Malinas
We don’t tend to have many young horses to run and sell but it’s something I would like to do more of in the future. This filly was nearly ready to run before lockdown last year and the plan is for her to be out in January. She’s a lovely jumper who goes well at home.
Peter also had news of two well-known pointers who are currently racing from Jennifer’s yard. “We had planned to run Wick Green in points but decided to put him under rules when the November lockdown came into force. While he ran poorly the other day, he’s a nice horse who could be aimed at Hunter Chases later in the season, possibly along with Full Trottle (a Cheltenham winner who has been sent to Manor Farm this season by Norman Thomas).”
