Exposing Point to Point racing, the fundraiser for hunts.
Posted 28th March 2025
Did you know that Point to Point races are fundraising events for hunts that happen all over the country?
Although it has changed slightly over the years, Point to Point meant racing from one point to another. These events are a vital part of fundraising for hunts, some make thousands of pounds and can only continue hunting due to these funds. Horse racing and fox hunting has always been closely entwined.
It's not just fox hunts that organise these races but staghounds too and these fundraisers continue past the main hunting season until June.
You can see if there is one local to you by looking at the point to point website which provides a list of fixtures.
In recent years many hunts have renamed them races to try and hide the fact that these are events that support killing wildlife. For example, the Heythrop Hunt’s point to point is called “Cocklebarrow Races” - but you can’t rebrand cruelty.
Can we do anything about this?
This is a question we are often asked by our supporters.
In 2024 with the support of Action Against Foxhunting we tried our best to get the disgraced Blackmore and Sparkford Vales fixture cancelled in Dorset. The hunt had been exposed on Channel 4 News savagely killing a fox. Despite lobbying by us, our friends, and Dorset residents the event went ahead. Instead of giving up, local people spread awareness of the reality of hunting with hounds and gave out anti-hunting leaflets in the local area.
This year our friends at Action Against Fox Hunting have been working hard exposing this once again and you can read their report on their recent campaign and visit to this year’s Blackmore and Sparkford Vale point to point event.
Attendees may not even realise what they are funding.
Politely contacting sponsors of these races can be effective. Some people don’t realise that these events are making money for the brutal world of fox hunting and once politely contacted may withdraw their support
Our brilliant supporters have also been taking our anti- hunting leaflets to hand out in their area. Spreading awareness that hunting with hounds is still happening and asking people to contact their MP is so important. Ask your MP to write to the Environment Secretary to ask him when he will keep his promise to strengthen the Hunting Act.
The government have promised to ban trail hunting, no more delays, it’s time this happened now. Wildlife will continue to be slaughtered while we have weak hunting laws.
If you would like any of our leaflets to hand out, please contact us here:
By working together we can expose the fact that Point-to-Point racing is supporting and propping up the cruel world of hunting with hounds.