Sport

Sean Bowen set for historic Welsh clash at Cheltenham Gold Cup

Published

3 months ago

March 9, 2026

PEMBROKESHIRE jockey Sean Bowen could be part of a historic all-Welsh showdown when he lines up in the Cheltenham Gold Cup later this week.

Bowen and fellow Welsh rider Ben Jones are set to go head-to-head in jump racing’s most prestigious race on Friday — the showpiece event on the final day of the Cheltenham Festival.

In what is believed to be the first time in living memory, two Welsh jockeys will ride leading contenders in the famous race, which is widely regarded as the pinnacle of National Hunt racing.

Champion jockey Bowen will partner Haiti Couleurs, the Welsh Grand National winner trained in Newport, Pembrokeshire, by leading trainer Rebecca Curtis.

Jones will ride the unbeaten The Jukebox Man, a rapidly rising star trained by Ben Pauling and owned by former football manager Harry Redknapp.

Both jockeys developed their careers on Welsh racecourses such as Ffos Las and Chepstow, but Cheltenham now offers a chance for glory on one of the sport’s biggest stages.

With the Gold Cup traditionally dominated by Irish-trained horses and runners from the largest British yards, the prospect of two Welsh jockeys battling for victory has become one of the most talked-about stories in Welsh racing ahead of the Festival.

Both arrive at Cheltenham with genuine hopes in what many pundits believe is one of the most open renewals of the race in recent years.

For Bowen, who looks set to retain his Champion Jockey title this season, the Gold Cup represents the ultimate prize.

The Little Newcastle native believes Haiti Couleurs has the stamina and temperament needed for Cheltenham’s gruelling test.

“You never know till the day, he’ll definitely love the track. He’ll definitely stay very, very well. And look, he’s a very, very good horse,” said Bowen.

“Hopefully he’s the best on the day. But you never know going into those races — I think it’s probably the widest open Gold Cup there’s been in a long time. Hopefully we’re thereabouts.”

Haiti Couleurs carries perhaps the strongest Welsh storyline. Trained by Curtis on the beaches near Newport, the nine-year-old is attempting to become only the second Welsh-trained horse ever to win the Gold Cup.

The only previous Welsh success came in 1990 when the 100-1 outsider Norton’s Coin produced one of the biggest shocks in the race’s history.

Unlike that famous upset, Haiti Couleurs arrives with strong credentials after winning the Welsh Grand National at Chepstow in December.

Already a Cheltenham Festival winner after landing last season’s National Hunt Chase, the powerful staying chaser has continued to improve and heads to the race among the leading contenders following victory in the Grade Two Denman Chase at Newbury earlier this year.

Curtis said the horse could hardly have done more in his final preparation for the Festival.

“I was delighted — I don’t really think he could have done any more,” she said.

“He was lonely in front, jumping that horrible ground. It just looked like he was in third gear and then when something came to him, he quickened away and jumped nicely up the straight and sort of put the race to bed, which is what we wanted.

“I didn’t want him to have an overly hard race with Cheltenham so close, so I was very pleased.”

Curtis believes the horse’s steady improvement over the past two seasons has turned him into a genuine Gold Cup contender.

“He’s been amazing, he’s run some real legendary type races — the Irish National and the Welsh National. To be going into the Gold Cup with single-figure odds is amazing,” she added.

“We always thought he was a very nice horse as a young horse, but he’s just improved with every single run.

“He wouldn’t be one of those you’d work at home and go ‘wow’, but like Sean said, you put three miles and fences in front of him and he comes alive.”

Haiti Couleurs’ proven stamina in marathon contests — including victories in the Irish Grand National and Welsh Grand National — suggests the punishing three miles and two furlongs of the Gold Cup could play directly to his strengths.

While Haiti Couleurs represents a traditional staying powerhouse, Jones arrives at Cheltenham with one of the most exciting young chasers currently in training.

The Jukebox Man has won all four of his starts over fences, including a breakthrough victory in the King George VI Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day.

Jones — whose father Dai is clerk of the course at Chepstow — has ridden the horse in each of those victories and has developed a strong bond with the unbeaten chaser.

“I wouldn’t swap him for any other horse in the race,” he said.

“It’s a bit annoying that it’s on the Friday and I’ll have to wait all week to get my leg up on him, but it’s very, very exciting.

“He’s never let me down, and I’ve won on him every time I’ve sat on him.”

This year’s race promises to be fiercely competitive.

Leading Irish contender Galopin Des Champs has been ruled out, but Inothewayurthinkin brings proven Grade One form and strong Festival credentials, ensuring the traditional Irish challenge remains formidable.

However, many observers believe the race lacks a clear dominant favourite, giving both Bowen and Jones a realistic chance of success.

If either rider manages to guide their mount up the famous Cheltenham hill in front on Friday afternoon, it would mark a landmark moment for Welsh racing — and one of the standout stories of this year’s Festival.

Sport

Community spirit shines at Saundersfoot charity night

Published

16 hours ago

June 9, 2026

Herald Sport

New Hedges/Saundersfoot United praised after another sell-out fundraiser

A COMMUNITY football club in Pembrokeshire is being praised after raising money for two important causes through another packed charity evening in Saundersfoot.

New Hedges/Saundersfoot United (NHSU) hosted a sell-out event at Regency Hall on Saturday night, bringing together local residents, supporters and well-known faces for an evening of entertainment and fundraising.

The event featured an appearance by Welsh rugby legend Shane Williams, comedian Lenny Dee, a silent auction and fundraising activities in support of the Maxwell Family Genomics Fund and Sandy Bear Children’s Bereavement Charity.

Organisers said the evening highlighted the power of community spirit in Pembrokeshire and the difference local support can make to charities which rely heavily on fundraising to continue their work.

Sandy Bear Children’s Bereavement Charity supports children and young people coping with bereavement across west Wales, offering specialist help to families facing difficult circumstances.

Support for families

The Maxwell Family Genomics Fund also benefited from the evening, with money raised helping efforts linked to medical research and support for affected families.

The event was organised by New Hedges/Saundersfoot United, a club increasingly earning a reputation for successful charity fundraising alongside its sporting activities.

Saturday’s fundraiser marked the third consecutive sell-out charity event hosted by the club, following previous popular evenings featuring former Wales striker John Hartson and former Liverpool goalkeeper Bruce Grobbelaar.

Club praised

Local supporters have praised NHSU for creating events that not only entertain but also raise substantial sums for good causes at a time when many charities face growing financial pressures.

One organiser said community fundraising remained vital, particularly for smaller charities that often struggle to secure long-term funding.

Without local backing, many organisations helping vulnerable families would simply be unable to continue their work.

The evening at Regency Hall was widely described by attendees as another major success for the club and a reflection of the strong community spirit in Saundersfoot and New Hedges.

Photo caption:

Charity night success: Guests gathered at Regency Hall, Saundersfoot, for New Hedges/Saundersfoot United’s latest sell-out fundraising evening (Pics: Darth Marty Media).

Sport

Runners tackle new route in Ras Y Castell 10k

Published

2 days ago

June 7, 2026

Herald Sport

MORE than 90 runners took to the streets and paths around Cardigan on Friday evening (June 5) for the annual Ras Y Castell 10k.

The race, organised by Cardigan Running Club, followed a brand new 10-kilometre course starting in the grounds of Cardigan Castle.

The route took runners past Castle Green House before heading through the town, across the old bridge over the River Teifi, and along the Teifi Marshes footpath towards the Welsh Wildlife Centre.

Competitors then continued to Cilgerran, completing a loop through the village and passing its 12th-century castle before retracing their steps back to Cardigan.

A final climb up Grosvenor Hill brought runners back into the castle grounds and over the finish line.

The event came in a special year for Cardigan Castle, which later this month celebrates the 850th anniversary of the birthplace of the first Eisteddfod.

The supplied results named Riche Norris as first finisher, with Llion Williams and Owain Rowlands also among the leading men.

The first female finisher was Bethan Williams of Emlyn Runners in 43 minutes 56 seconds. Cardigan Running Club’s Leanne Roberts was second in 44 minutes 34 seconds, with Delyth Griffiths third in 47 minutes 25 seconds.

Winners received their awards in the castle grounds, where runners also enjoyed a free barbecue after the race.

Cardigan Running Club’s next events will be the Summer Poppit Sands races, with the first of three taking place on Tuesday, July 21.

Images: Stuart Ladd

Sport

Pembrokeshire cricket weekend round-up: Week 7 shakes up promotion races

Published

3 days ago

June 7, 2026

Herald Sport

A WEEKEND of big wins, shock defeats and abandoned fixtures tightened several promotion races across the Pembroke County Cricket League.

Saundersfoot strengthened their grip on Division One, Pembroke stayed top in Division Two, Laugharne moved ahead in Division Three, while Cresselly III and Haverfordwest IV remain the sides to catch lower down the pyramid.

Division One: Saundersfoot send title warning

Saundersfoot produced the statement performance of the weekend, crushing Carew by 125 runs after posting 208-4. Simon Stanford hit 98, while Nick Cope added an unbeaten 60 before taking 4-7.

Team	Played	Points
Saundersfoot	7	110
Carew	7	103
Neyland	7	92
Cresselly	7	78
Burton	7	76

Cresselly beat Narberth by 51 runs, Burton defeated Lawrenny by four wickets, and Herbrandston shocked Neyland by 60 runs.

Division Two: Pembroke lead tight race

Pembroke remain top after an eight-wicket win over Llechryd, but the chasing pack is close behind.

Team	Played	Points
Pembroke	7	107
Johnston	7	104
Cresselly II	7	103
Hook	7	99
Haverfordwest	7	95

Cresselly II edged Johnston by just two runs, while Haverfordwest, Hook and Llanrhian also picked up wins.

Division Three: Laugharne go top

Laugharne moved to the summit after beating Burton II, while Kilgetty slipped up against Lamphey, who bowled them out for just 58.

Team	Played	Points
Laugharne	7	104
Kilgetty	7	100
Carew II	7	88
Saundersfoot II	7	79
Lamphey	7	75
Pembroke II	7	75

David Blackwell starred for Lamphey with superb figures of 5-5, while Pembroke II thrashed Stackpole by nine wickets.

Division Four: Leaders under pressure

Rain disrupted the division, but St Ishmaels II and Neyland II both made ground with victories.

Team	Played	Points
Narberth II	7	93
St Ishmaels II	7	92
Hook II	7	84
Lawrenny II	7	84
Neyland II	7	81

St Ishmaels II beat Lawrenny II by seven wickets, while Neyland II defeated Herbrandston II by eight wickets.

Division Five: Llangwm II keep pressure on

Only one game was completed, with Llangwm II beating Whitland II by nine wickets.

Team	Played	Points
Cresselly III	6	106
Llangwm II	6	99
Llanrhian II	6	87
Whitland II	7	81

John Palmer made 36 and David Lewis 29 as Llangwm II chased 72 with ease.

Division Six: Scourfield century leads Haverfordwest IV

Gareth Scourfield produced one of the performances of the weekend, hitting an unbeaten 124 as Haverfordwest IV chased 212 to beat Haverfordwest/Cresselly by three wickets.

Team	Played	Points
Haverfordwest IV	6	81
Lamphey II	5	76
Neyland III	7	75
Whitland III	6	73

Ollie Toy had earlier made 95 for Haverfordwest/Cresselly.

Weekend stars

Player	Club	Performance
Gareth Scourfield	Haverfordwest IV	124 not out
Simon Stanford	Saundersfoot	98
Nick Cope	Saundersfoot	60 not out and 4-7
Charlie Arthur	Cresselly	90
David Blackwell	Lamphey	5-5
Jack Davies	Burton	5-14
Harry Nicholas	Herbrandston	54 and 2-16
Josh Lewis	Cresselly II	57 and 3-31