Holcombe Point to Point

Race Card for 2011 Contacts Holcombe Races history L. S. Lowry		This year the Holcombe point to point will be run on a Sunday.  The fixture will also feature pony racing which will start at 1oclock.  This fixture has grown in popularity considerably since its move to the course at Whittington and now attracts some of the best horses from across the north. The Holcombe meeting is also famous for its excellent hospitality marquee providing a unique experience for race goers.    The Holcombe point to point, the story so far. Organisers and supporters  of the Holcombe Point-to-Point races are rightly proud of their heritage. The Holcombe Hunt Steeplechases have their roots as far back as 1617 when James V1 of Scotland was visiting Hoghton Tower on his way from Scotland as King James 1 of England.  He was so impressed with the hunting and hospitality that he gave the then harrier pack, who traditionally wore green, leave to wear his royal scarlet. A singular honour. The booming Lancashire textile towns produced many rival harrier packs by the turn of the last century.  This friendly rivalry led to the present- day   point-to-point races. The Holcombe’s first race took place in 1920 in Brindle, with neighbouring harrier packs  from Rochdale and Aspull.  The following year the meeting was promoted solely by the Holcombe Hunt at Affetside near Bury and then a couple of miles away  to Nab Gate where it remained for half a century.  Often referred to as the Millworkers’ Grand National  or the Mill Girls’ Ascot,  the races attracted crowds of as many as 100,000.  Special buses were laid on to ferry racegoers from Bury, Bolton and other surrounding towns.  A carnival atmosphere descended on  the whole area.  Mills and shops closed down to let everyone gather for the races and the day was deemed an unofficial holiday in the Irwell and Croal valleys.  If there happened to be a match at Gigg Lane, Bury, then the kick-off was postponed for a couple of hours so as not clash with the races! For many years Mrs Babs Cort of Nab Gate, a colourful  lady in the equestrian world and District Commissioner of the Holcombe Pony Club, ran the event with her husband Seph. To persuade members of the hunt to build the testing fences,  a special club was formed called the Wide Awake Club. This involved members getting up very early in the morning to build and “dress” the fences in return for generous hospitality from the Corts and a chance to ride in a special race, run in conjunction with the members race, in which they could ride whatever sort of horse they owned. It was called the heavyweight race - not because the contestants or their mounts were necessarily largish, but because they were ordinary horses and riders having a sporting go. Alas,  waterlogged ground forced the event to be cancelled  several years in succession, and in 1973 the Holcombe decided to re-locate  to the Vale of Lune course at Kirkby Lonsdale.  Steeplechases have been run there since 1936 with  the annual Vale of Lune Easter Saturday meeting always drawing large crowds.   In spite of not attracting the previous vast crowds of the Mill Workers’ Grand National days, over the years the Holcombe Races at  Whittington  have nevertheless proved successful. An awesome course in an  unrivalled setting, the event  has consistently attracted more and more spectators and pointer owners from across the region.  The hill-top  positioning of the car park allows views of the entire course and is ideal for picnicking.  Alternatively,  race-goers  can reserve a place in the hospitality marquee and enjoy a champagne reception and grand buffet lunch whilst viewing the racing from the executive enclosure. back to top   Sunday 3rd April  2pm Holcombe Point-to-Point Steeplechases    2.00pm    Intermediate 2.35pm    Confined 3.10pm    Ladies Open 3.45pm    Men's Open 4.20pm    2m5f 4,5,6 & 7yo Maiden Race 4.55pm    Open Maiden Race 5.30pm    8 years old and over ppora club members back to top Holcombe Point-to-Point Contacts   Secretaries;    Charles Birch, Crowthorn End Farm, Edgeworth, Bolton,  Lancashire Tel. 01204852458 Mrs Sarah Whitehead Tel. 07966470812 Entries;                           Weatherbys Chase 01933 304840 (9am-5pm) with credit/debit card payment or to  Weatherbys Chase, Weatherbys, Sanders Road, Wellingborough, Northants. NN8 4BX Clerk of the Course;  Gordon Park:07752086283 Hospitality marquee;  contact Ann Abbott on 07970885293. Trade Stands; Jean Gartside on 01204 882181 or 07866666729. Or email gartside.family@btinternet.com back to top		PPORA sponsor of the Holcombe               L. S. Lowry The Holcombe Races 1954             Fence building at Nab Gate         Going to the races 1923