Ffos Las racecourse founder Dai Walters returned home to victory on Sunday when his six-year-old novice Lump Sum won the DragonBet Welsh Champion Hurdle.

Ridden by Dylan Johnson, Lump Sum was made the 11/10 favourite for his handicap debut and surged clear after jumping the last.

He’s trained by Sam Thomas.

Walters, who is pictured above (centre) with sponsor James Lovell and Ffos Las’s general manager Kevin Hire, is one of Wales’ most well-known businessmen, and regularly appears on annual lists of the richest business owners in the country for his wide-ranging business interests in construction as well as his love of horse racing.

His fortune is entirely self-made having started out as an apprentice labourer at an opencast site in south Wales in the 1970s. The Walters Group website describes how, after working as a labourer, greengrocer and tree planter, he took a job as an apprentice fitter at the Wimpey operated Maesgwyn opencast coal mine at the age of 20. There, he worked his way up through the ranks to Ganger (section) Fitter, ending up as a Foreman Fitter for the site and within five years, he was plant manager at the Trecatti Opencast site near Merthyr where he was responsible for managing over 300 items of plant across three opencast coal sites in the South Wales Coalfield.

In 1982 Walters, whose Christian name is Gweirydd, struck out on his own to buy his first bit of machinery, namely a Caterpillar 950 working for British Coal at the Onllwyn Washery and a Caterpillar D4, working on the Hirwaun Industrial Estate constructing an extension to the GEC Hitachi factory.

Since then, the Walters Group has added earthmoving and civil engineering services to its portfolio, and was soon involved in major construction projects throughout Wales. 

But Walters is perhaps best known for his love of horse racing after two of his former Irish employees persuaded him to buy a share in a horse. As his passion for racing grew, in 2009 he turned his attention to transforming the former opencast mining site in Carmarthenshire into the Ffos Las Racecourse, which became the UK’s first purpose-built horse racing venue since 1928. In 2018 he sold Ffos Las to Arena Racing Company (ARC), saying that they would be able to attract more reliable fixtures by moving them around their network of racecourses.

THE Observatory ground hosted an excellent Division 2 encounter on Saturday (Oct 12), visiting Johnston secured a 2-0 success over Hakin United Reserves, thanks to a brace from front man Josh Knapp.

The only blemish on Knapps CV on the day was when his last minute penalty, for a foul in the box on Tigers skipper Joey George by centre half Sam Houston (who was cautioned by referee Jonathan Twigg), was well saved by Josh Lewis low to his left, in the Vikings  goal.

Hakin are credited for their part in an absorbing encounter, with chances at both ends, visiting custodian Peter Donnolly being at the top of his game to deny the young attackers of Hakin in Mason Dolling, Bobby Jenkins and particularly Corey Riley, who was a constant thorn in the side of Sion Price, Lewys Boswell, Marcus Allen and Steve Mills, the orange shirted defenders equal in fairness, to the challenge all game.

Knapp opened the scoring in the tenth minute when he drifted dangerously from the left side and struck a shot which beat Lewis at his near post, leaving Garin Gardiner, Houston and full back Lewis Llewellin in his wake, Llewellin the second name scribed in Twiggs black book on the hour, for a late tackle on man of the match Johnston skipper Joey George.

The skipper led by example and name sake Craig gave home skipper Tom Evans a difficult afternoon, thanks to the dominance of Craig Bendall, Geno Cleal and Scott Murray in the centre ofmidfield which was the engine room for the visitors victory.

The young counterparts from Hakin found it difficult to impose themselves on their sides offensive play, George Wheeler, Scott Paddison and Henry Mayhew’s undoubted skills never given the time or space to influence the game enough in their quest for three points.

Knapps second on 82 minutes was a result of the home side pushing for an equaliser, which allowed him space and time to finish with aplomb, beyond an advancing Lewis after a ball over the top from Bendall, gave him the opportunity to secure the points.

Both managers Matthew Howells (Hakin) and Steve Allen (Johnston) subtly shuffled their pack as both strived for the three points, Leon Pemberthy replacing Wheeler (60), before Macauley Chapman became the first Tigers change for Craig Geroge on 63. Tom Edmond’s came on fo Jenkins on 70 minutes to allow Mayhew more freedom in attack, a move matched three minutes later when Martin John replaced Murray and full back Marcus Allen moved into the centre of midfield, the games final change coming on 80 minutes when another young Viking in Tommy Powell came in for Llewellin.

The 2-0 success gives Johnston some breathing space at the foot of the table ahead of their Senior Cup trip to Pennar Robins next weekend, Hakin manager Howells will regroup his troops ahead of the visit from Solva, the Vikings sitting in fifth place, three points off top of the table Camrose, having played a fixture more.

This week’s Pembrokeshire First Division action saw key matches that continue to shape the battle at the top of the table, with Goodwick United leading the way. The Viking’s are hot on their heals but dropped critical points this weekend on the road.

Goodwick United Extend Their Lead

League leaders Goodwick United extended their fine form with a 4-1 victory away to Carew. Marcus Griffiths scored for the home side, but Goodwick’s offensive power, led by goals from Scott Delaney, Matthew Delaney, Will Haworth, and Rhys Dalling, proved too strong. This result solidifies Goodwick’s position at the top of the table, boasting 25 points from 9 matches, with an impressive goal difference of +27.

Hakin United Held by Pennar Robins

Second-placed Hakin United were held to a 1-1 draw by Pennar Robins. The Viking’s travelled to Bush Camp in good form, but the hosts are a very dangerous opponent this season. Cameron Brunton opened the scoring for the Robins, but Hakin equalized through a penalty from Justin Harding. Despite the draw, Hakin remain hot on Goodwick’s heels, with 21 points and a superior goal difference of +32, having played a game fewer than the leaders.

Clarbeston Road Put Six Past Struggling Herbrandston

Clarbeston Road made light work of bottom-placed Herbrandston, securing a dominant 6-1 win. Laurie Haworth was in scintillating form, bagging a hat-trick, while Matthew Davies added a brace, and Matthew Ellis also got on the scoresheet. Herbrandston’s Adam Whatting managed a consolation goal, but they remain rooted to the bottom of the table, having lost all nine matches and suffering a staggering -60 goal difference.

Clarbeston Road’s victory lifts them to third place, with 17 points from 9 matches, showcasing their credentials as potential challengers in the top half of the table.

Thrilling Contest Between Merlins Bridge and Kilgetty

Merlins Bridge edged out Kilgetty in a seven-goal thriller, winning 4-3 at home. Hayden Dimond scored twice for the Bridge, with Nathan Evans and David Cromwell also finding the net. Kilgetty fought back with two goals from Kyle Marsh and another from Lloyd Hughes, but it wasn’t enough to secure any points. The victory helps Merlins Bridge climb to mid-table, while Kilgetty remains towards the bottom, struggling with consistency.

St Ishmaels and Milford United Share the Spoils

This derby ended In a 1-1 draw, as Tish and Milford United battled to a stalemate. Owen Lawrie scored for Tish, while Josh Lees grabbed the equalizer for Milford. Both teams remain in the bottom half of the table, and the shared points do little to ease their concerns, as both seek to push further up the standings.