Contents 1 Future King rode in moorland races 1.1 The annual Flagg Races are one of the longest-running amateur horse racing events in the UK. 2 When horses really did chase from steeple to steeple 2.1 FEEDBACK

Future King rode in moorland races

The annual Flagg Races are one of the longest-running amateur horse racing events in the UK.

POINT-TO-POINT racing has been held on Flagg Moor, between Bakewell and Buxton, almost every year since 1892. The riding gear and complete lack of body and head protection featured in these wonderful archive images may seem unfamiliar today, but the competition and passion were as intense then as they are now.

The event, run by the High Peak Hunt, is rare in that it reflects the early days of horse racing when riders rode from one point to another with no defined course. The horses had to jump some 38 stone walls with only the coping stones removed. Now the main race goes twice round a two-mile course over 20 birch fences.

For centuries, royalty have been involved in horse racing, which is known as “the sport of Kings”. Flagg Races can also boast a royal connection. On one occasion, King Edward VIII, the then Prince of Wales, actually rode at the event.

The first point-to-point races were held on Flagg Moor in 1892 and, apart from the war years and during the Foot and Mouth outbreak at the turn of this century, the races have been held there, on Easter Tuesday, ever since.

Flagg is a small Peak District village, set in the Derbyshire Dales, in the area known as the White Peak. Some 1,000ft above sea level, it is recorded in the Doomsday Book as “Flagun”, and is believed to have originally been a Viking settlement engaged primarily in lead mining, the evidence of which can still be seen today with many spoil heaps and disused mine shafts in the area.

These days, Flagg is predominantly a farming village, concentrating on all aspects of agriculture. In the racing world, it is also famous for hosting what it now the only event of its kind held in this country. In the mid-1980s, there were about 10 such “old-fashioned” point-to-point races in existence.

There have been many changes to the event since its earliest years. When the races were first held, entries were probably taken on the day, there would have been no weight or handicap considerations and Health and Safety was a long way in the future.

Traffic on the A515 would have been no problem and you would have had trouble finding a Jockey Club inspector, steward, doctor, vet or member of the emergency services. Back in the mid-1890s, admission cost one shilling (5p) and a whole charabanc of punters could enter the course for 10 bob (50p).

By the late 1960s, inflation had multiplied the entry cost tenfold. For many spectators to the Flagg Races, the real attraction is the unique Hunt Members’ Race over natural hunting country, starting in open country between the villages of Flagg and Pomeroy and finishing on the racecourse proper.

All the races would have been like the 2007 Members’ Race, with jockeys taking their own line from A to B, with the first person there declared the winner. The new prize for the Members’ Race in 2007 also had an historic link.

The Croxden Cup used to be presented to the winning owner in the Maiden Race. However, it disappeared in 1975 after which Mr and Mrs David Pearson very generously donated the replacement trophy.

A couple of years ago, a local demolition contractor found the missing cup while working at Clay Cross. He kindly returned it to the High Peak Hunt and, after restoration, the Flagg Races Management Committee decided that it should now be presented annually to the oldest rider who completes the Members’ Race course.

Traditional point-to-point could have disappeared altogether when Flagg was a casualty of the 2001 Foot and Mouth outbreaks but, thankfully, it returned in 2004 and has gone from strength to strength ever since.

“Every year, many thousands of enthusiastic spectators enjoy the thrilling spectacle of thoroughbreds racing across glorious open countryside,” said Rachel McQueen, secretary of Flagg Races Management Committee.

“The whole event is a fantastic family day out with food outlets around the course, trade stands selling a variety of wares, a licensed bar and bookmakers for those who fancy a punt.”

When horses really did chase from steeple to steeple

THE sport of point-to-point is a form of amateur horse racing over fences for hunting horses. The horses must be thoroughbreds, except in the case of hunt members’ races and certain other club members’ races.

The horses have to obtain a certificate from a Master of Foxhounds stating that they have hunted for at least four days in the season before racing starts in January. In addition, the jockey must also obtain a certificate from the hunt secretary.

The first steeplechase was run between Buttevant and Doneraile, County Cork, Ireland, more than 250 years ago. Chasing from steeple to steeple, or point-to-point, began in 1752 when Mr Blake challenged his neighbour, Mr O’Callaghan, to race across country from Buttevant church to Doneraile church, some four-and-a-half miles distance, jumping stone walls, ditches and hedges as these presented themselves.

By keeping the steeple of the church in sight (steeplechasing) both riders could see their finishing point. Point-to-point regulations in the UK and Ireland require all races to be run over three miles, but there are exceptions.

Certain important races are run over longer distances, for example the Lady Dudley Cup (three miles, two furlongs) and the Heythrop Men’s Open (four miles). A three-mile race is almost invariably two circuits of a typical point-to-point course.

Every course must have a minimum number of fences and at least two fences must have ditches.The fences are made of birch and are approximately 4ft 6ins high.

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