Executive Summary

The Irish point-to-pointing circuit continues to solidify its reputation as the preeminent nursery for elite Jumps racing talent. The previous season underscored this role, with graduates of the system winning a total of 27 Grade 1 races, affirming its status as a “constant conveyor belt of equine talent.” An analysis of the Spring 2025 point-to-point campaign reveals a crop of impressive performers poised to make a significant impact under Rules in the 2025/26 season.

This document profiles twelve particularly exciting prospects that have not yet raced under Rules. These horses have demonstrated notable pace, jumping ability, and race intelligence in their debut performances. Major industry figures, including trainers Willie Mullins and Gordon Elliott and owner JP McManus, have been notably active in acquiring this talent, with several horses commanding six-figure prices. Key prospects such as Grangeclare Park, Lemmy Caution, and Moments In Time produced visually commanding victories with form that has since been substantiated, while the maiden race at Quakerstown featuring Harry Lowes and Mighty Park is highlighted as a potentially standout contest of the season.

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The Irish Point-to-Point System: A Proven Nursery for Champions

The Irish point-to-point circuit is consistently identified as the primary source for future National Hunt stars. Described as the “go-to nursery for future equine talent,” its critical position within the Jumps racing ecosystem is demonstrated by a significant and recurring statistic: 27 Grade 1 races in the last season were won by horses that began their careers in Irish point-to-pointing. This record highlights the system’s effectiveness in identifying and developing high-caliber young horses before they transition to racing under Rules. The Spring 2025 season showed no signs of this trend diminishing, producing numerous impressive performers who are now transitioning to top-tier professional yards.

Profile of Twelve Key Prospects for the 2025/26 Season

The following is a detailed analysis of twelve promising horses from the 2025 point-to-point season, selected for their standout debut performances and potential for future success.

Arcadian Emperor (FR)

• Previous Trainer: Sam Curling

• New Connections: Owner JP McManus, Trainer Willie Mullins

• Debut Race: Won an 8-runner maiden at Lisronagh on March 23, 2025.

• Performance Analysis: The horse was patiently ridden in an honestly run race, always travelling with ease. Swift jumping was a key asset, allowing him to move into a challenging position without being pressured. The rider remained motionless until kicking on to secure a facile six-length victory. The performance was characterized by pace, suggesting he will be a sharp performer over shorter distances.

Grangeclare Park (IRE)

• Previous Trainer: Colin Bowe

• New Connections: Trainer Gordon Elliott

• Debut Race: Won a 12-runner maiden at Curraghmore on April 20, 2025.

• Performance Analysis: Delivered a particularly eye-catching winning debut at Curraghmore, the same course where Grand National winner Nick Rockett recorded his first success. Taking control at the penultimate fence, he powered clear on soft ground to win by a commanding 18 lengths. While the race form is largely untested, one non-finisher has since won a maiden by 25 lengths, supporting the visual impressiveness of the performance.

Hardly Surprising (IRE)

• Previous Trainer: Derek O’Connor

• New Connections: Owner JP McManus, Trainer Harry Fry

• Debut Race: Won an 8-runner maiden at Ballycahane on March 2, 2025.

• Performance Analysis: One of a quartet of four-year-old winners for the JP McManus/Derek O’Connor combination. Ridden patiently in an educational debut, he was still only fifth turning for home. The gelding found generously under pressure only after the final fence, yet was still able to triumph over a highly regarded favorite. The front pair pulled 14 lengths clear of a subsequent winner in third, adding substance to the form.

Harry Lowes (IRE)

• Previous Trainer: Derek O’Connor

• New Connections: Owner JP McManus, Trainer Dan Skelton

• Debut Race: Won an 8-runner maiden at Quakerstown on April 20, 2025.

• Performance Analysis: Showed significant improvement from his introductory run two months prior. Ridden with customary patience, he successfully wore down a highly-touted, six-figure purchase that had gotten first run on him. A better jump at the final fence sealed a victory that was described as “decidedly cosier” than the official one-and-a-half-length margin suggests.

Heldam (FR)

• Previous Trainer: Matthew Flynn O’Connor

• New Connections: Owner Bryan Drew, Trainer Willie Mullins

• Debut Race: Won a 5-runner maiden at Punchestown on February 22, 2025.

• Performance Analysis: A physically impressive French-bred individual who commanded high prices at the sales (€85,000 as a two-year-old, rising to €110,000 at the Derby Sale). Justified market confidence with a winning debut in a two-and-a-half-mile race. He pulled clear with one other rival on the long run to the last, showing ample pace, and never looked like being headed despite being outjumped at the final fence.

Jet Of Stars (IRE)

• Previous Trainer: Denis Paul Murphy

• New Connections: Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore

• Debut Race: Won a 9-runner maiden at Oldtown on February 15, 2025.

• Performance Analysis: The race was a steadily run two-and-a-half-mile contest, which placed a premium on speed that suited this son of Jet Away. He cruised into contention between the final two fences and, when asked, swiftly asserted to win snugly by four lengths. The performance has been subsequently validated, with two other horses from the race going on to win maidens.

Lemmy Caution (FR)

• Previous Trainer: Colin Bowe

• New Connections: Trainer Gordon Elliott (purchased for £250,000)

• Debut Race: Won an 11-runner maiden at Monksgrange on March 30, 2025.

• Performance Analysis: This grey son of Tunis won the same local race that his trainer previously used to debut Samcro in 2016. Travelling best into the home straight, he won with ease by eight lengths. The run-in to the final fence was particularly long due to an omitted obstacle, but he navigated the last and powered clear to win going away.

Lime On Gin (FR)

• Previous Trainer: Denis Paul Murphy

• New Connections: Trainer Henry de Bromhead

• Debut Race: Won a 14-runner maiden at Curraghmore on April 20, 2025.

• Performance Analysis: A three-parts sister to Grade 3-winning chaser Gin On Lime, she has joined her relative at the same stable. In her debut, she and another rival easily asserted themselves clear of the 14-runner field. She won snugly, with 22 lengths separating the front pair from the rest. Her race time compared favourably to that of fellow impressive Curraghmore winner Grangeclare Park.

Mighty Park (IRE)

• Previous Trainer: Donnchadh Doyle

• New Connections: Owner JP McManus, Trainer Willie Mullins

• Debut Race: Finished second in an 8-runner maiden at Quakerstown on April 20, 2025.

• Performance Analysis: Entered his debut with high expectations as a €105,000 store purchase. He was beaten on the day by Harry Lowes, a more experienced rival, but the performance was highly encouraging. The Quakerstown race is anticipated to be “one of the standout races from the spring 2025 term.” Following the performance, he was privately purchased by JP McManus.

Moments In Time (IRE)

• Previous Trainer: Garrett L Murphy

• New Connections: Trainer Dan Skelton

• Debut Race: Won an 8-runner maiden at Borris House on March 2, 2025.

• Performance Analysis: A standout performer from a fledgling stable that produced six four-year-old maiden winners in a six-week period. The grey son of Kingston Hill recorded a 24-length victory, a margin exaggerated by a final-fence faller but which would have been a double-figure distance regardless. Notably, in a race not run at a strong pace, he was able to take rivals “out of their comfort zone.” The form has since been boosted by the second and fourth-placed finishers winning their own maidens.

With Nolimit (FR)

• Previous Trainer: Jonathan Fogarty

• New Connections: Trainer Gordon Elliott

• Debut Race: Won an 8-runner maiden at Liscarroll on March 30, 2025.

• Performance Analysis: A son of Bande (a half-brother to Doctor Dino), he made all the running in his debut and was never seriously challenged. Despite occasional jumps to the right on the left-handed course, he was professional in the straight, pulling clear to win by ten lengths. The pace displayed suggests he will be a strong contender in bumpers.

Wyoming Line (FR)

• Previous Trainer: Jonathan Fogarty

• New Connections: Trainer Willie Mullins (purchased for €275,000)

• Debut Race: Won a 10-runner maiden at Dromahane on April 27, 2025.

• Performance Analysis: This physically imposing bay failed to find a buyer at the store sales but subsequently commanded a high price after his winning debut. He took advantage of a prominent position to win a “protracted battle,” hitting the finish line “full of running.” His physique suggests that fences will ultimately bring out his best.

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Summary of New Connections

Horse	Previous Point-to-Point Trainer	New Trainer / Key Connections
Arcadian Emperor	Sam Curling	Willie Mullins / JP McManus
Grangeclare Park	Colin Bowe	Gordon Elliott
Hardly Surprising	Derek O’Connor	Harry Fry / JP McManus
Harry Lowes	Derek O’Connor	Dan Skelton / JP McManus
Heldam	Matthew Flynn O’Connor	Willie Mullins / Bryan Drew
Jet Of Stars	Denis Paul Murphy	Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore
Lemmy Caution	Colin Bowe	Gordon Elliott
Lime On Gin	Denis Paul Murphy	Henry de Bromhead
Mighty Park	Donnchadh Doyle	Willie Mullins / JP McManus
Moments In Time	Garrett L Murphy	Dan Skelton
With Nolimit	Jonathan Fogarty	Gordon Elliott
Wyoming Line	Jonathan Fogarty	Willie Mullins