Racing, food and fun at Dowth point-to-point
The 2018 Dowth Point to Point and Country Fair took place on Sunday last, 28th October, drawing record crowds of over 6,500 to County Meath for the annual day of racing, food and family fun.
Organised and sponsored by agri-technology company Devenish in conjunction with the Meath Hunt and Tara Harriers, the event celebrated the very best of country life and some of Ireland’s most impressive amateur racing talent.
Six point-to-point races took place over three miles throughout the day, with the Tattersalls Ireland four year-old Geldings Maiden won by Clondaw Hollow trained by Michael Goff and ridden by Shane Fitzgerald. This was the second win in the race for the pair, having teamed up in 2017 with Good Man Jim that went on to make £360,000 at the Tattersalls Cheltenham Horses in Training sales several weeks later.
This year’s event ambassador Jamie Codd also entered the winner’s enclosure after successfully guiding the Richard Brabazon trained Smooth Spoon around the course to win the Boyd’s Stores six-year-old+ Geldings Maiden, while local Meath trainer Peter Flood joined him as he picked up the James Gogarty Stone Winners of One Race with Major Davis – his third impressive Dowth win in the event’s four-year history.
As well as an excellent day of sports, guests feasted upon top quality regional food and drinks within the Discover Boyne Valley Flavours Marquee and snapped up locally made arts and crafts in the shopping village.
Meath native internationally renowned chef Richard Corrigan hosted a game masterclass to a large audience at The Food Theatre, whilst chefs Eoin Gilchrist and Kris Kodric from Tankardstown House, Hugh Maguire Butchers and Peter Whelan of The Whole Hogg also shared their culinary expertise.
Younger visitors enjoyed carving spooky pumpkins for Halloween, having their faces painted, taking pony rides and watching puppet and magic shows.
Country living was further brought to life by Maperath Mobile Farm, Newgrange Falconry, and The Deer Society, whilst the Slane GFC Skills Zone drew big crowds.
Four-legged friends joined the fun too, with the Dowth Dog Show bringing together perfect pooches of all sizes and statures. Prizes were kindly sponsored by Equipet and Feedwell and the overall winner was golden retriever Juno and handler Michaela Dillon.
Owen Brennan, executive chairman of Devenish, said: “The Dowth Point to Point and Country Fair was a hugely enjoyable occasion and we were absolutely thrilled to see so many people turning out to enjoy it. Congratulations to all the winning connections.
“Over the last four years, this event has been a wonderful opportunity to bring people of all ages together at the historic setting of Dowth to enjoy the very best of our local heritage – our food, our sporting talent and great sense of family and community.
“Thank you to everyone who exhibited, attended and supported this year’s Dowth Point to Point and Country Fair,” said Owen.