Filly and mare owners can win additional money worth up to £3,000 in the next 3-2-1 Point-to-Point Bonus Scheme sponsored by the Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association (TBA).
Introduced in 2017, the scheme aims to incentivise, promote and reward the breeding, buying and racing of British-bred fillies and mares, and revolves around three point-to-point Flat races which take place each spring at Exeter, Aintree and Stratford. The Covid-related halt to racing in March last year meant the TBA’s 3-2-1 Bonus did not take place, and it returns with slight changes to the conditions.
It is now paid to the first filly or mare who finishes in the top three, but can only be won by horses who carry the GB suffix having been bred in Britain. In addition her owner/s must be TBA members. In cases where horses are owned by more than one individual the majority of partners (up to eight partners) must be current members, otherwise for larger syndicates just managing partners will need to be current TBA members.
Only the first filly or mare fitting that criteria and finishing in the first three can win a bonus. If they win the race they gain £3,000 in addition to prize money. If they finish second to a gelding they pick up a bonus of £2,000 and if third to two geldings they gain a £1,000 bonus.
To qualify to run in the point-to-point Flat races a horse has to finish in the first three in a maiden race this season, but there has been a recent change to conditions for these events which reflects the recent pause affecting point-to-pointing. All three point-to-point Flat races have been opened up to horses who finished in the first three in a maiden race during the shortened 2019/20 season.
Claire Sheppard, the TBA’s Chief Executive, said: “The TBA welcomes the resumption of the point-to-point season, including the three end-of-season Flat races which are part of the TBA’s point-to-point 3-2-1 Bonus Scheme. This scheme forms part of the TBA’s mandate to improve race opportunities for mares, and aims to encourage more owners to test their mares on the point-to-point circuit and provide those proven horses with the opportunity to progress to the NH racing programme.”
A total of £15,000 has been paid in bonuses in the three seasons in which the TBA 3-2-1 Bonus Scheme has taken place. This season’s races take place at Exeter on April 22, at Aintree on May 14 and at Stratford on May 28.
The British point-to-point season had been on hold during the national lockdown but was restarted on Monday, March 29.
Find out more about the TBA here: https://www.thetba.co.uk/