Sport

Pembrokeshire jockey competes at Welsh Grand National

Published

9 years ago

January 28, 2016

18- YEAR-OLD Pembrokeshire Jockey Sean Bowen was amongst the runners at the re-arranged Welsh Grand National, aboard the Rebecca Curtis trained Bob Ford.

Ford went off a 14-1 shot and led for much of the race, ahead of eventual winner Mountainous, as the leaders went off at a blistering early pace. After being rescheduled from Boxing Day due to horrific weather conditions, it was no surprise that the ground was heavy, and the stamina-sapping ground took its toll on the runners as they began to emerge up the back straight. Favourites Upswing, Cogry and Emperor’s Choice were never in the frame, as Saroque began to emerge as a rival to Bowen’s Bob Ford at the end of the first circuit.

That Bob Ford should be at the head of the field was no surprise to many racing enthusiasts, as he has a strong fondness for front running, but as the final bend began to grow nearer, so too did Mountainous. Unfortunately Bowen capsized on Bob Ford on the run in and it was left to Mountainous to claim victory, and the 11-year-old had no hesitation in doing so. Although Bowen narrowly missed out at the last during this race, he has been tipped as the ‘next AP McCoy’ and has received high praise from the man he currently rides for, legendry trainer Paul Nicholls, who said last year: “I always thought Sean was a great talent, but he’s just improved enormously. He’s got a great knack of making horses run, he’s very strong and for a 17-year-old lad to go and ride round there like that is just awesome.”

Sean is the son of Pembrokeshire trainers Karen and Peter, and with the family so steeped in racing heritage it is no surprise that he is on the path to greatness. He won the coveted title of Leading Conditional Jockey of season 2014-2015 after a battle that went down to the final day of his first season as a professional. He is the youngest ever winner of this title following in the footsteps of the sport’s greatest names.

Sean won two ‘Lesters’ at the prestigious 2015 awards night, was voted Conditional Jockey of the Year by his fellow jockeys, and was winner of the Jump Ride of the Year in a public vote. This recognition followed a successful career in pony racing and pointing. Then, still an amateur, Sean won on his first ever ride under Rules, and followed up with a win on one of his father’s runners in his mother’s colours. Sean had previously won the Wilkinson Sword awarded each year to the leading UK novice rider in point to points.

Sport

IRONMAN 70.3 Swansea to make Welsh history this weekend

Published

10 hours ago

July 10, 2025

Herald Sport

World-class triathletes descend on South Wales as Swansea hosts its first-ever IRONMAN Pro Series event

WALES will play host to a major milestone in triathlon history this weekend as IRONMAN 70.3 Swansea becomes the first-ever IRONMAN Pro Series event to take place on Welsh soil.

The race, held on Sunday (July 13), marks the twelfth stop on the 2025 global tour and is expected to draw thousands of spectators to the Swansea seafront. More than 60 professional athletes and over 2,500 age-group competitors will take part in the prestigious swim-bike-run event.

Among the elite contenders is reigning Swansea champion Harry Palmer (GBR), making his season debut, alongside Kat Matthews, the 2024 IRONMAN Pro Series champion, and Kristian Høgenhaug (DEN), who finished third in last year’s standings.

With $50,000 in prize money and up to 2,500 series points at stake, the event carries serious weight for those chasing the overall series crown and qualification slots for the 2025 IRONMAN World Championships in Nice and Kona.

Race day will begin at 7:00am with the professional men’s start, followed by the pro women at 7:05am, and the mass start for age-group athletes at 7:10am. The course features a scenic but challenging route, with a city-centre finish expected to be buzzing with spectators.

The event will also be broadcast live across the world on platforms including YouTube, DAZN, Outside TV (US and Canada), and ESPN via Disney+ (Latin America and Caribbean).

Speaking ahead of the event, organisers said Swansea had earned its place on the global calendar. “Bringing the Pro Series to Wales is a huge moment for triathlon in the UK, and especially for South Wales,” a spokesperson said.

A free-to-attend Pro Athlete Panel will take place at 2:00pm on Friday (July 11) at the Waterfront Museum’s Ocean Room, offering the public a chance to meet some of the sport’s biggest stars.

Among those set to speak are Germany’s Anne Reischmann, who currently leads the 2025 standings, and Britain’s Lizzie Rayner, who already has two podium finishes this year.

The oldest registered athlete is David Ransom, aged 77, while the youngest is 18-year-old Jaden Morgan, highlighting the sport’s wide appeal.

Media wishing to attend must register in advance, with accreditation closing on Friday. Race-day walk-ins will not be granted access to restricted areas.

Education

Pupils’ multi-sports event hits the target

Published

3 days ago

July 8, 2025

Tom Sinclair

MORE than 60 pupils have enjoyed trying out a range of different sports in a special
Sport Pembrokeshire event held last month

The event was held at Ysgol Glannau Gwaun with 65 pupils
from Years, 4,5 and 6 and the ALN unit taking part.

The sessions were run by local community clubs and Young Ambassadors from
Ysgol Bro Gwaun with pupils getting to enjoy rugby, cricket, hockey, archery and golf.
Sharon Osborne from Ysgol Glannau Gwaun, said: “Thanks to Sport Pembrokeshire
for organising a fantastic morning of activities for our pupils. They all thoroughly
enjoyed themselves.”

Dan Bellis of Sport Pembrokeshire, added: “A big thanks to Fishguard & Goodwick
Hockey Club, Fishguard and Goodwick Rugby Club and the Young Ambassadors
from Ysgol Bro Gwaun for putting on a fabulous morning of activities in glorious
sunshine!

“A big well done to all the pupils from Ysgol Glannau Gwaun for their effort and
enthusiasm throughout the morning.”

Sport

Cresselly stay top as Lawrenny skittle Llangwm for just 39

Published

3 days ago

July 7, 2025

Herald Sport

Dominant wins across the divisions as league tables begin to take shape

CRESSELLY retained their place at the top of Division 1 of the Thomas Carroll Pembroke County Cricket League with an emphatic eight-wicket win over Burton on Saturday (July 5).

Charlie Arthur led the chase with an unbeaten 65, while Simon Cole ripped through Burton’s batting with 4-8. The reply was brisk, with Cresselly reaching the target in under 18 overs.

Lawrenny produced a bowling masterclass to dismiss Llangwm for just 39. Rob Williams (6-12) and Jamie Lewis (4-23) shared the wickets before Lawrenny cruised to a 10-wicket win.

Herbrandston beat Neyland by 90 runs thanks to a strong showing with bat and ball. Charlie Malloy scored 68 and Jack Nicholas added 51 before Nathan Banner claimed 3-12.

Saundersfoot beat Haverfordwest by 81 runs with Tom Mansbridge taking 4-14 and Nick Cope chipping in with 4-28.

Carew chased down 134 to beat Whitland by three wickets. Brian Hall scored 33, while James Hinchcliffe finished on 28 not out and took 2-36 with the ball.

Division 1 Table

Pos	Team	P	W	L	Bat	Bowl	Pts
1	Cresselly	11	10	1	37	47	192
2	Carew	11	9	2	42	52	186
3	Saundersfoot	11	7	4	40	47	164
4	Herbrandston	11	7	4	36	45	155
5	Neyland	11	6	5	35	44	141
6	Lawrenny	11	6	5	31	45	138
7	Whitland	11	4	7	37	32	113
8	Burton	11	3	8	35	38	103
9	Haverfordwest	11	3	8	32	34	98
10	Llangwm	11	0	11	21	20	41

Division 2 Table

Pos	Team	P	W	L	Bat	Bowl	Pts
1	St Ishmaels	11	9	2	46	51	187
2	Pembroke	11	8	3	53	47	180
3	Narberth	11	8	3	50	50	180
4	Hook	11	8	3	48	41	172
5	Llechryd	11	6	5	42	41	146
6	Cresselly II	11	6	5	43	29	136
7	Johnston	11	5	6	39	42	131
8	Carew II	11	3	8	39	38	110
9	Llanrhian	11	1	10	45	18	73
10	Burton II	11	1	10	29	22	61

Division 3 Table

Pos	Team	P	W	L	Bat	Bowl	Pts
1	Fishguard	11	10	1	37	41	186
2	Pembroke Dock	11	9	2	37	50	184
3	Lamphey	11	6	5	38	38	138
4	Hundleton	11	6	5	36	38	138
5	Stackpole	11	5	6	42	35	130
6	Haverfordwest II	11	4	6	44	37	126
7	Laugharne	11	4	6	39	30	114
8	Kilgetty	11	4	6	42	26	108
9	Hook II	11	3	7	34	19	83
10	Neyland II	11	2	9	31	23	74

Division 4 Table

Pos	Team	P	W	L	Bat	Bowl	Pts
1	Pembroke II	11	10	1	47	47	198
2	Saundersfoot II	11	9	1	44	45	179
3	St Ishmaels II	11	7	4	48	42	160
4	Crymych	11	6	4	44	34	138
5	Haverfordwest III	10	4	5	40	33	133
6	Lawrenny II	11	5	5	37	38	125
7	Carew III	9	4	4	38	26	104
8	Llangwm II	11	2	9	47	25	92
9	Llanrhian II	10	1	8	36	22	88
10	Narberth II	11	2	9	36	22	79

Division 5 Table

Pos	Team	P	W	L	Bat	Bowl	Pts
1	Llechryd II	11	9	1	43	46	192
2	Herbrandston II	11	9	2	43	50	190
3	Pembroke Dock II	11	7	3	44	39	157
4	Whitland II	9	4	4	32	19	113
5	Haverfordwest IV	10	3	6	38	26	104
6	Hundleton II	10	4	5	33	23	100
7	Cresselly III	10	2	7	41	28	89
8	Neyland III	10	0	10	33	8	40