
We caught up with one half of the training team at Station Yard Racing & point-to-point enthusiast Francesca Poste! Fran has been involved in pointing from a young age & alongside her husband Charlie, she has not only had serious results on the amateur stage but also in producing top class winners under National Hunt rules too!
🏇🏼How are you involved in pointing?
My husband Charlie & I train pointers from Station Yard, pinhooking three-year-olds for commercial sale, and train for owners & owner riders. I am also on both the Warwickshire & Bicester point-to-point committees.
🏇🏼How did you get into pointing?
My father trained pointers when I was younger & I always wanted to train. I then got given Magic Sky to ride & train. I had always wanted to ride when I was younger but got sidetracked playing polo & hunting.

🏇🏼How would you describe pointing to someone that hasn’t been before?
Pointing is a fantastic sport where you are up close to the action. You can see far more than on a racecourse & it’s a great social day with lovely people & a big picnic. You have the chance to spot young talent, human & equine, & see old stars from under rules rejuvenated.
🏇🏼What’s your pointing highlight?
My first winner on Magic Sky was special as I rode & trained him, but also our first double at Brocklesby when I rode Magic Sky to win & Fortunata Fashions bolted up on debut, she was our first step into the commercial aspect by chance.

🏇🏼If you could change one thing in pointing, what would it be?
The hunt certificate system- it’s such a waste of paper & a real faff! Also making sure the maidens on the same meeting are 4,5yo maidens & 6yo plus so they aren’t drawing from the same horses & also not having a bumper on the card when there is a young horse maiden.
🏇🏼Where’s your favourite point-to-point & why?
Chaddesley Corbett; we have had a lot of luck there, it's well maintained & deservedly gets decent racing. I even managed to ride a winner there!
🏇🏼What’s your earliest pointing memory?
I remember going a lot as a child with Mum & Dad. In particular, eating candy floss at Mollington and winning a goldfish at Dingley before getting very stuck leaving!
🏇🏼What do you think lies for the future of pointing?
I think on the main it’s positive. It’s great to see more people producing young horses, and it’s great to see trainers giving some of the people that work in the yard chances on horses that have done their job under rules. Costs are forever rising but that is true about most things in life, & being honest I’m not sure people go pointing for prize money.
🏇🏼What’s your favourite aspect of training pointers?
It’s very rewarding when it goes right. It’s great fun amongst friends. Can you really call it work? I can think of far more mundane things to be doing!
🏇🏼Any hobbies outside of horses?
I always enjoy going to see live music, recently saw London Grammar and am looking forward to seeing Red Hot Chilli Peppers next year. I also love interiors; hopefully, one day we will be able to build somewhere to enjoy designing!
Thank you so much Fran for chatting to us this week! Station Yard Racing has hit the ground running with plenty of runners & placings this season already!

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