With six Point-to-Point races, over three miles and fences, the card will also host the Anglo-Irish Jockey's Challenge and also two exciting pony club races to sign off the day’s action on the track.
Building on the success of last year's event, which drew crowds of over 5,000, this year will see lots of new exhibits and displays joining the line-up to compliment the thrilling racing action, including, a shopping village, country fair exhibits, gourmet food vendors, live music, a kid's zone and an artisan food fair with cookery demonstrations from food ambassador and Michelin star chef, Richard Corrigan. A new addition for this year is the Dog Show.
Commenting at the launch of the 2017 Point-to-Point & Country Fair, Owen Brennan, Executive Chairman of the Devenish Group who will host the event noted: "We are really looking forward to hosting our third Point-to-Point and Country Fair at Dowth this October and to welcoming the local & wider community for a great day of racing, food, and family fun and building upon the success of the last couple of years."
Country fair exhibitors will include the Maperath Mobile Farm, Newgrange Falconry display and a wide range of exhibitions and demonstrations, including The Royal Meath Bee Keepers, The Deer Society, Fly-Tiers as well as Gun Dog demos. Visitors can also enjoy perusing the fantastic shopping and food village stands.
Families can enjoy free children’s entertainment and good old-school outdoorsy fun with bouncy castles, puppet shows, magic shows, arts and crafts, pumpkin carving, outdoor games, pony rides and more. Kids entertainment is free and admission to The Point-to-Point is free for all children under 12.
Speaking at the launch, Simon Walford, Clerk of the Course for Meath & Tara Point-to-Point Committee noted: "We are delighted to be back in Dowth this October. The tweaks we made to the track last year worked well. The Anglo-Irish Jockeys Challenge is a great addition this year and we look forward to welcoming the UK team to County Meath."
Tara Smith of the Boyne Valley Food Series commented: "The Point to Point and Country Fair at Dowth is a firm fixture on the Boyne Valley Food Series calendar. What better way to showcase the great food and drink producers than alongside great racing action."
Food Ambassador and Michelin star chef, Richard Corrigan remarked: "I am delighted to be involved in this great event again, to be able to showcase the fantastic local produce and producers who have brought it to market."
On the eve of racing, Saturday, October 28th, Devenish will host will host 400 guests at a Charity Ball in aid of Farm Africa & The Irish Injured Jockeys Fund in a marquee at the centre of the Point to Point track. Richard Corrigan will design a delicious & seasonal menu, which will be followed by a night of live music and great entertainment. Proceeds will go to Farm Africa & The Irish Injured Jockeys Fund.
Guests at the launch, joining Owen Brennan & his wife, Professor Alice Stanton and their daughter Ally included: Mary Lanigan of Tattersalls Ireland, Alex Conyngham of Slane Whiskey, local Trainer Pat Downey and his wife Karen, Olivia Duff and Tara Smith of the Boyne Valley Food Series, Edward & Alex Galvin, Jamie & Robyn Codd, Michael Higgins & Niamh McNamara of the Irish Injured Jockeys Fund, Interior designer Carol Sheridan, Devenish colleagues Geoffrey Frawley, Dr. Vanessa Woods and Simon Caughey were there along with Leo Powell & colleague Brendan McArdle of the Irish Field.
