Horse racing is a popular sport and concept throughout the UK and Ireland, although the country of Wales rarely gets the credit it deserves as an enthusiastic and bustling racing nation.
Interestingly, there are also inherent links between Wales and Ireland when it comes to horse racing, with this evident through the best horse racing betting sites at betireland.ie.
In this post, we’ll take a look at some of Wales biggest races, while exploring some of the moments that have made the country synonymous with the sport.
Chepstow and the Welsh Grand National
Despite being less well known and revered than their Irish and English counterparts, the Welsh Grand National has been wowing locals and visitors alike for more than 120 years.
Complete with 23 challenging fences, the event is one of the most unpredictable horse races still running in the 21st century, with only one runner having emerged victorious on more than one occasion (Mountainous).
In truth, this kind of record suits the Welsh punter mentality, with the country often renowned as a plucky underdog in the world of sport and one that encourages fans to think big and dream even bigger.
This race also has much in common with its Irish and English counterparts, particularly when you consider its history of producing thrilling races. It’s certainly never over until it’s over, with this borne out by the 1976 iteration when long-time leader Gylippus looked certain to win the race only to fall at the final fence.
Interestingly, this allowed Rag Trade to power home, with the runner making history by becoming the first in 80 years to win both the Welsh and English Nationals in the same year.
In 2009, Chepstow was also the scene of a truly compelling story and achievement, when rank outsider and syndicate-owned runner Dream Alliance overcame history and logic to defeat Silver By Nature in a thrilling sprint finish.
Incredibly, Dream Alliance had been born on a disused allotment, with a syndicate of 23 owners cobbling together £10 a week just to keep him fed and fit as they pursued their dreams of a Grand National challenge.
Even a severed tendon failed to stop the charge of Dream Alliance, with the runner finally romping home to win in 2009.
This matches any narrative produced at Aintree or in Ireland down the years, while it highlights the unique history and appeal of the Welsh National.
Ffos Las and its Links to Ireland
If we look at recent history, there’s no doubt that the venue at Ffos Las has become synonymous with Welsh horse racing in the modern age.
This venue was the first new National Hunt racecourse to be built for 80 years in the UK, while the fact that it was constructed on the former site of Europe’s largest open cast coal mine charts a fascinating journey between past and present.
This racecourse has also developed inherent links to Ireland, with multiple trainers and runners regularly competing at Ffos Las from the Emerald Isle.
The main reason for this is the venue’s close proximity to two of the largest ports in Wales, which offer frequent and accessible ferry services to Ireland and makes it easy for fans and competitors alike.
Another prominent location and race course in Wales can be found in Bangor-on-Dee, which is relatively unique in that it doesn’t feature a grandstand.
Located in one of Wales’ most picturesque locations, Bangor-on-Dee also boasts a rich and extended history of steeplechase racing, with stretches back further than any other horse racing-friendly country.
This racecourse hosted its first race in 1859, while it currently plays home to 14 races every single year. Because of its legacy and the frequency with which it’s used, it has also witnessed some of the greatest moments in the sport’s history.
In 1893, for example, a bumper crowd saw Cloister win the big event despite carrying the top weight of 12dt 7lbs.
Then, in 1947, royal Jockey Dick Francis (who once claimed that his horse The Queen Mother was spooked by the noise of the crowd during a race), produced one of the best performances of the era by powering home on Wrenbury Tiger and completely vanquishing his rivals.