Horse Racing

There was top class action over jumps and on the Flat in recent days and the Racing Post's James Stevens looks through the key stories from a Welsh perspective.

It was not to be in the Grand National itself, but leading Welsh jockeys and trainers were in the headlines - partly thanks to one incredible Aintree moment as The Racing Post's James Stevens reports.

It’s the biggest profile horse race of the year as Aintree hosts the Grand National, with two Welsh brothers taking centre stage and fans also watching from Chepstow.

Sean Bowen is racing away with the champion jockeys’ championship but now the Welsh star also has a chance to grab the spotlight at Aintree this weekend, as James Stevens reports.

There was an incredible moment for a Welsh jockey Down Under at the weekend as the jumps boys continued a brilliant season. The Racing Post’s James Stevens reports.

James Stevens, from The Racing Post, reflects on a brilliant week for Wales at the Cheltenham Festival.

The opening day of the Cheltenham Festival provided thrills and excitement as Golden Ace took the Champion Hurdle trophy for Welsh jockey Lorcan Williams in dramatic fashion.

The Cheltenham Festival is here and Wales' leading jockeys and trainers will descend on the Cotswolds bidding for glory at jump racing's biggest four days.

Leading Welsh trainer Sam Thomas was proud of his two horses’ efforts at the Coral Welsh Grand National even though Val Dancer emerged from the murk to seize victory. Val Dancer tenaciously held off Thomas’ dual challenge of Jubilee Express and Iwilldoit at Chepstow to win a race that was only visible at certain stages due to thick fog.

Welsh trainer Sam Thomas is hopeful Jubilee Express can prove “a special horse” by winning the Coral Welsh Grand National for him – just as Iwilldoit did three years ago. Thomas sends both horses to the start line at Chepstow on Friday with Jubilee Express most fancied to provide a home winner in Wales’ leading race in the calendar, which carries £150,000 of prize money.

The final meeting of the calendar year at Ffos Las Racecourse takes place on Wednesday with a seven-race offering to celebrate the Christmas Jumper Raceday. The action gets underway at 12.22pm as nine runners tackle the class four handicap hurdle before the action comes to a close at 3.50pm with the bumper – a Flat race ran over Jumps rules for runners making their way in the early stages of their career.

Sean Bowen secured his 100th win of the season on board Dominic’s Fault at Lingfield on Monday – and is confident he can further strengthen his position at the top of the Jump Jockeys’ Championship. The Championship runs from 4th May 2024 to 26th April 2025 and is based on the amount of winners jockeys ride over the course of the season.

Chepstow Racecourse hosts its latest Jumps card on Friday afternoon with a seven-race offering at the track as the cold snap sweeps across Britain. Racing will get underway at 12.30pm with a two mile and three furlong maiden hurdle in class four before the last race of the day heads off at 3.59pm as a field of 14 take on the Bumper – a Flat race run over Jumps rules.

Geoff Lewis – the only Welsh jockey ever to ride a winner of the Derby – has picked up another trophy to add to his collection. The 88-year-old – winner of the 1971 Derby on Mill Reef – was honoured with a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Welsh Horse Racing Awards in Cardiff on Thursday night.

Chepstow Racecourse hosts its annual Military Raceday at the track on Wednesday as part of an action-packed eight-race Jumps card. Racing gets underway at 12.20pm with a conditional jockeys’ handicap chase before the card comes to a close at 4.05pm as ten runners take on the class five bumper contest.

Welsh jump jockey Alan Johns has won a top award after becoming the new face and voice of horse racing. Johns, who rides for the Tim Vaughan stable in the Vale of Glamorgan, has won the Jockeys Education and Training Scheme (JETS) Progress Award in recognition of his burgeoning media career.

Wales’ leading jump jockeys will put their pride on the line this weekend as they help start the Welsh jump season with a charity ride that already appears an institution. The likes of Sean and James Bowen, Connor Brace, Ben Jones, Jack Tudor and Alan Johns will feature in the Welsh Jump Jockeys Derby – the first race of the Unibet Jump Season Opener at Chepstow on Friday October 11.

Welsh athletes hope the Prime Minister will heed their emphatic call to ensure disabled children have equal access to sport. As the triumphant Great Britain team returned home from Paris with 124 medals – 49 gold, 44 silver and 31 bronze, including 22 medals for Welsh athletes – ParalympicsGB posted an open letter to Sir Keir Starmer, urging him to “act now” and establish a “clear plan from across Government with concrete steps for change”.

Racing continues at Chepstow this week with a competitive seven-race card on offer for punters heading to the track on Tuesday afternoon. The meeting gets underway at 2pm with a class four apprentice handicap before rounding off at 5.30pm as six runners take on the seven furlong handicap to bring the card to a close.

The Flat racing continues at Ffos Las on Thursday with day one of the Summer Flat Festival at Ffos Las. Racing on the opening day of action gets underway at 2.25pm with a maiden stakes in class five before coming to a close at 5pm with a two-mile handicap in class six.