INTERNATIONAL OPERA STARS TO SING THE NATIONAL ANTHEM AT CHEPSTOW RACECOURSE FOR THE CORAL WELSH GRAND NATIONAL International opera stars Rebecca Evans and Wynne Evans are pairing up for the first time to sing the national anthem at the biggest race of the year in Wales, the Coral Welsh Grand National held at our sister race track, Chepstow Racecourse. Rebecca, a soprano who recently sung for Prince Charles at his 70th birthday party, has performed …

  What do you love about Ffos Las Racecourse? It’s great to have a racecourse that serves the racing community in both South and West Wales so well, and great to see so many people from the area supporting it, many who would not have gone racing if it wasn’t for a local track. What path did you take to become Head Groundsman? Did you always know that’s what you wanted to do? I grew …

  Some taking performances enlivened an overcast day with a chilly breeze blowing up the straight. The going was soft, heavy in places, so it remains to be seen whether those who impressed can do so on better ground. If you could ignore his form figures at the end of last season (FP4P) these conditions were ideal for Colmers Hill (5/1) in the 3m chase. Furthermore, his trainer Jeremy Scott was in form. He made …

  Leading Welsh trainer Peter Bowen and his two jockey sons, Sean and James, were all recognised at the inaugural Welsh Horse Racing Awards held at Chepstow Racecourse. Peter won the Trainer of the Year title, Sean was Jockey of the Year and 17-year-old James was named Rising Star of the Year. All three have enjoyed plenty of success across the UK and have become household names in the sport. The night, sponsored by George …

  Teenage Welsh jockey James Bowen (pictured right, with fellow nominees Sean Bowen and Adam Wedge) has been nominated in two categories for this week’s inaugural Welsh Horse Racing Awards sponsored by George Smith Horseboxes. The 17 year old rider, who won the 2017 Coral Welsh Grand National on Raz De Maree, has been nominated for ‘Jockey of the Year’ and the ‘Rising Star’ categories. James’ brother Sean is also in the final four for …

  Countryside Race Day was mostly bright and breezy.  Recent heavy rain meant the going was heavy, and as a result the third last fence (the open ditch) was omitted. The first event was a 2m chase.  Air De Rock was clear and looked the likely winner when getting too close to the second last and coming down.  That left Le Coeur Net (13/2) with a similarly large advantage and he extended it to run …

  Our sister track, Chepstow Racecourse are holding the first ever Welsh Horse Racing Awards in support of Racing Welfare on Thursday 22nd November. The awards are designed to recognise both equine and human talent and success across Wales including owners, trainers, horses, jockeys, stable staff and breeders. A panel of horse racing professionals will choose the winners who will be presented with their awards during a ceremony at Chepstow Racecourse on November 22nd. Nominations …

  One of Ffos Las’s biggest days of the year, featuring the £45,000 Welsh Champion Hurdle, was blessed with warm autumn sunshine and perfect good to soft going. The card began with the first division of a 3m handicap hurdle. Mr Robert Hawker, riding his father Richard’s Gentleman Farmer (8/1), led virtually all the way. Three out his lead wasn’t very big, but no serious challenge emerged until the run-in. There Gold Bonne Raine threatened …

  The richest race day of the year at Ffos Las takes place tomorrow (Saturday 20th October) – and a bumper crowd is expected. There is more than £100,000 of prize money on offer across the eight races including £45,000 for the feature race, the Dunraven Group Welsh Champion Hurdle. There are 80 runners in total. The first race of the day is now 1.35pm with the last race at 5.30pm. For the Dunraven Group …

  Saturday’s Ffos Las fixture is one of its best meetings of the year and the highlight is the Welsh Champion Hurdle, sponsored for the first time by the Dunraven Group.  Unlike its Cheltenham counterpart, it’s a handicap, and top of the list is expected to be that perennial favourite The New One, now ten years old and trying to establish himself as a long-distance hurdler.  He disappointed at Cheltenham and Aintree but cannot be …