Point to Point racing is a form of amateur racing for hunting horses. Many of the horses and jockeys will appear in these races before they compete in National Hunt races, usually in Chases. It was created to return to the spirit of the original National Hunt races, which quickly became dominated by thoroughbreds and large prizes.

For many years now the horses running in Point to Points have been thoroughbreds. The horses have to obtain a certificate from a Master of Foxhounds stating that they have hunted for at least 6 days in the season before racing starts in January. Some are fairly hunted, jumping a variety of obstacles and coping with plough and pasture alike but others, sometimes the retired "professional" horses, go to the meet and are just trotted around the roads where the hunt is to be found.

The first Steeplechase ever was run locally between Buttevant and Doneraile, County Cork, over 250 years ago. Chasing from steeple to steeple or point-to-point began in 1752 when Mr. Blake challenged his neighbour Mr. O'Callaghan, to race across country from Buttevant church to Doneraile church some four and a half miles distance and so jump stone walls, ditches and hedges as these presented themselves. By keeping the steeple of the church in sight (steeplechasing) both riders could see their finishing point.

Point to Point races in Ireland are run over 3 miles (4.8 km). 4 year old horses race over 2 miles 4 furlongs (2 ½ miles). Three circuits of the course are completed and usually 14 chase fences are jumped in total. The fences are made of birch are approx 4 foot 6 inches high (1.37m). The land owner is mostly a farmer who belongs to the local hunt. Many future steeplechase stars emerge from the point-to-point field, with a recent example being triple Cheltenham Gold Cup and 2002 King George VI Chase winner Best Mate.