The final of the GAIN Mares Series takes place on 31 March at the Ballynoe point-to-point in Co Cork. The series has been running since last November and covered over 20 legs in seven counties across the country.

GAIN Equine Nutrition and the Ballynoe point-to-point committee will present a bonus of €3,000 to the winning owner. The series is one of the highlights of the point-to-point season, with many trainers targeting the final. This year’s renewal will be as competitive an affair as ever, given the quality of mares that have run in the qualifying legs.

The 2018 final was an exciting renewal, with Milan Dancer winning by a comprehensive six lengths to claim the title and valuable bonus. She was trained by Co Derry-based trainer Noel C. Kelly and ridden by Northern champion Noel McParlan, demonstrating the wide reach and appeal of the series.

We hope this series will give the owners of mares a real boost and encourage more people to buy and race mares in the future

Joanne Hurley, Irish equine country manager for GAIN Equine Nutrition, said: “We are proud of our long-standing association with the GAIN Mares Series that culminates with the final at Ballynoe, which is one of the most prestigious events in the point-to-point season.

“We hope this series will give the owners of mares a real boost and encourage more people to buy and race mares in the future. This partnership demonstrates our commitment and support to the grass roots sector of the industry; we wish all connections the best of luck in the final and thank those who have supported the series to date.”