GAIN Mares Series to begin at Damma House next month

The ‘GAIN Mares Series’ gets underway for the 2019/20 season at the Kilkenny point-to-point on November 3rd at Damma House and will once again conclude in the spring with the much-coveted final taking place in Ballynoe, Co. Cork.
 
GAIN Equine Nutrition, along with the Ballynoe Point-to-Point committee, will provide a €3,000 bonus for the winner of the final, as well as a half-tonne of feed for both second and third place in the race. 

This year, the launch took place in Bagenalstown, Co. Carlow at the 2018/2019 GAIN Mares Series winning yard of John ‘Shark’ Hanlon.

The consistent five year old, Dime A Dozen, was the mare that secured owner Gary Owens and John ‘Shark’ Hanlon the victory last March at Ballynoe point-to-point. The deserving winner Dime A Dozen led the field from start to finish to prevail under Tom Hamilton. 

”It is a great final to win, it’s great for the owners to have a trophy to bring home,” commented John ‘Shark’ Hanlon.

Founder and Director of Irish Point-to-Point Services Richard Pugh said: “‘In the current climate the importance of the GAIN Mares Series culminating in the GAIN Mares Final at Ballynoe cannot be understated.

“It encourages those with mares to campaign them in point-to-points and keep them within that sphere for the prized GAIN Mares Final in the spring season. It allows connections form a season long plan for their mare and the tradition of the GAIN Mares Final has real value as a sought after prize for any true point-to-point owner, handler or rider.”

Joanne Hurley, Irish Country Manager, GAIN Equine Nutrition, commented: “It’s a fantastic series that we are delighted to be a part of for the past four decades. It is a great platform for us to support our point-to-point and national hunt trainers at grass roots level.

“Many owners and trainers would keep a mare to compete in the final of the Mares Series, which is great to see. On behalf of GAIN Equine Nutrition, I would like to wish all connections the very best of luck for the season ahead.”