Point-to-point meetings in Wales will benefit from a £12,500 cash boost following an online Cheltenham Festival preview night held last week.
The brainchild of former amateur rider and now trainer Tom Faulkner, the event also included a silent auction and raffle. It was sponsored by Coral bookmakers.
Faulkner said: “The preview evening went really well and I would like to express massive thanks to the sponsors, everyone who donated a prize for the auction and raffle, and everyone who bought a ticket. Well done to all those who won a prize or bought successfully at the auction.
“The money raised will secure 2021/2022 fixtures for the 13 hunts as it will cover the cost of insuring the meetings. That cost is somewhere in the region of £670 for each meeting, and any excess will be divided and given to fixtures that may run behind closed doors.”
Faulkner also expressed his thanks to trainers David Pipe and Evan Williams, jockeys Jamie Moore and Nick Scholfield, plus ITV Racing’s Luke Harvey, who made up the panel. In addition there were phone-in contributions from bloodstock agent and point-to-point owner Anthony Bromley, from jockey Sean Bowen, trainer Emma Lavelle and triple Gold Cup winning trainer Henrietta Knight and from the former trainer and acknowledged trend setter Martin Pipe.
“Without our great panel and amazing phone-in guests none of this would have been possible – I can’t thank them enough,” said Faulkner.
Anyone who would like to add to the pot can do so by contacting Faulkner by email [email protected].