In Pembrokeshire, horse racing has a knack for lingering, sometimes right beneath the surface of daily life. The last local racecourses closed years back, yet those echoes shape the rhythms and stories of the place even now. For almost two centuries, the region’s equestrian traditions have wound their way from Haverfordwest to the smallest of rural villages, influencing customs and gatherings alike.

These days, you’ll spot horse culture in a patchwork of ways: trainers with national profiles, local equestrian centres, small but lively sporting days, and the rural competition that draws folks from across West Wales. Pembrokeshire’s flags may not fly above grandstands now, but the region’s bond with racing is felt in more subtle forms, through jobs, through community, and through lasting pride in a broader Welsh racing tradition.

Horse racing’s role in Pembrokeshire community life

Go back to the 1800s and Pembrokeshire held a place of real weight in Welsh horse racing. Haverfordwest Racecourse opened in 1833, an initiative of local landowners keen to carve out not just new sport but also a stage for society events. People poured in to watch: hundreds, sometimes more, drawn as much by the spectacle and social whirl as the races themselves. Over time things shifted. Costs crept up, other types of recreation gained ground, and eventually the roar of race crowds faded.

By the middle of the 20th century, sites like Haverfordwest’s track had become fields for cricket, football, and the odd casual ride. The official race fixtures faded out, but the threads connecting those old gatherings to the idea of modern racing never quite snapped. Local interest in horse racing betting also links with the area’s longstanding equestrian heritage, as individuals continue to follow national and international racing developments.

Keeping the racing spirit alive: local trainers and new connections

There’s still an unmistakable racing heartbeat in Pembrokeshire, even without a big local track. Much of that comes from a handful of trainers who, over time, have steered hundreds of horses to strong finishes at key meets. One trainer, based locally for more than thirty years, has quietly racked up notable success stories and drawn attention to the county’s role in serious racing circles.

Training operations here aren’t just about preparing horses, they create hands-on opportunities for people who want to work with animals or pursue equestrian skills. Not far off, Carmarthenshire’s Ffos Las Racecourse, opened in 2009, gives locals an event to rally around and keeps the ties to top-level competition alive. Alongside this, riding centres, like Pembrokeshire’s only RDA-accredited stable, make sure access remains broad, supporting both sport and therapeutic work.

Life around the track: community and legacy

Even though official race meetings are rare now, the spirit of gathering lingers. Seasonal point-to-point events, as well as old-fashioned harness racing, continue to pop up, drawing friends and neighbours together for something more than just sport. These meetups often mark the agricultural year: a break, a celebration, or simply a reason to come together.

Pembrokeshire’s racing reputation, though reflected more through its trainers and volunteers nowadays, keeps its link to the wider Welsh racing scene. Meanwhile, businesses from livery to veterinary care, and even small-scale tourism, find their place in this network. Markers of the county’s racing story, former racecourse locations, trainers known beyond the county, and local traditions, give shape to how residents view Pembrokeshire’s place in the bigger picture.

Riding culture, from countryside to community

Horse riding remains threaded through Pembrokeshire’s countryside. Riding schools and equestrian centres offer everything from lessons to social rides, and there’s steady demand for such activities well outside of any competitive sphere. Many people take to the region’s bridleways simply for pleasure or wellbeing. With border counties hosting larger meets now and then, there’s still plenty of incentive to keep the tradition alive.

The effect spreads wider than it might seem, fueling local shops, specialized suppliers, and providing a low-key boost to tourism. Increasingly, new initiatives tie traditional skills to digital platforms, creating ways for people to stay connected to the sport no matter where they find themselves.

Navigating the modern world of horse racing

These days, involvement in racing means taking a thoughtful approach. Whether you’re watching, helping out, or simply keeping tabs on the latest results, participating can be meaningful if done with care. When engaging in any gaming or wagering, including, it is important to remain aware of the need for self-control and moderation. Support is available for those wishing to balance their interest.

Local clubs and community groups often champion messages about keeping activities healthy and sustainable. In the end, Pembrokeshire’s racing tradition adapts year by year, what matters is keeping traditions relevant, responsible, and genuinely rooted in local life.

WALES’ best racehorse and leading Pembrokeshire trainer Rebecca Curtis can both strike a blow in the heart of English territory on Saturday, just a couple of hours before Wales run out at Twickenham.

Two hours before kick-off in the Six Nations clash, Haiti Couleurs, trained at Newport, Pembrokeshire by Curtis and ridden by Welsh champion jockey Sean Bowen, lines up for the William Hill Denman Chase, taking on some of the best staying chasers England and Ireland can offer.

As Wales attempt to upset England in west London, Curtis, Bowen and Haiti Couleurs are aiming to do much the same at one of England’s premier racecourses, Newbury.

Haiti Couleurs has become a flagbearer for Welsh racing over the past year, elevating his profile with a sequence of performances that have pushed him firmly into the Cheltenham Gold Cup picture.

The nine-year-old chaser has won four of his last five races and has been entered for both next month’s Gold Cup as well as April’s Aintree Grand National.

Over Christmas, Haiti Couleurs delivered one of the standout Welsh sporting moments of the winter by romping to victory in the Coral Welsh National at Chepstow, giving Curtis her first success in the race.

Curtis – whose partner and training yard manager is former Ospreys star David Bishop – believes Haiti Couleurs continues to improve with every outing.

“He’s been truly amazing for the yard and he just keeps delivering,” said Curtis.

“He just seems to get better and better with every run. I think the fact he went on that nicer ground (in the Welsh National) just shows he has got that bit of class; it wasn’t an old slog in the mud.

“He’s won most of the handicaps he’s run in, so he just keeps going up and up and we’d like to try him now in graded company because he’s probably at the top-end of running in those staying handicaps and giving all that weight away.”

Saturday’s Denman Chase represents a major test.

Haiti Couleurs was originally set to travel to Ireland for the Irish Gold Cup last weekend, but concerns over travel and ground conditions prompted a rethink, with Curtis opting instead for Newbury.

“It’ll be very interesting on Saturday and going forward to the Gold Cup,” she said.

“He’s always been ridden handily or made the running, so I don’t think it really matters there are less runners.”

After a number of withdrawals due to the heavy conditions, only four horses will go to the start line, but the quality remains high.

Having given an Irish Sea crossing a miss last week, Curtis added: “I am happy that the ground is going to be fairly soft and testing, so at least his stamina should come into play.

“It’s a completely different test but he’s got good form around Newbury.”

The Irish Gold Cup only strengthened her belief that staying at home was the right call.

“Watching the Irish Gold Cup I was delighted we made the decision we made, there were too many question marks going into it for us with the travel and the ground, then watching it I thought they finished very tired horses.

“It just looked an old slog and I’m glad we stayed away for it.”

Haiti Couleurs is 4/6 for the Denman Chase with Welsh bookmakers DragonBe and remains a 10/1 chance for the Cheltenham Gold Cup, and Curtis confirmed that remains the ultimate aim.

“Providing he runs a good race this Saturday, even if he was to get beat but runs a good race, we’ll still end up going for the Gold Cup,” she said.

“I think you have a track that he absolutely loves, he loves going up and down hills, plus the extra two furlongs. I do think it takes a real stayer to the win the Gold Cup and whatever happens Saturday, providing it’s not horrendous, we’ll definitely be going to Cheltenham with him.”

Lake to captain side at Twickenham as Macleod set for tournament debut

WALES national rugby union team have confirmed their starting XV for the opening match of the Six Nations Championship, with captain Dewi Lake leading the side into Saturday’s clash with England national rugby union team at Allianz Stadium Twickenham.

Kick-off is at 4:40pm, with live coverage on ITV1 and S4C.

Lake starts at hooker and anchors a front row that includes Nicky Smith at loosehead and Archie Griffin at tighthead, the latter having made his international debut against England during the 2024 campaign.

Dafydd Jenkins partners Adam Beard in the second row, while Josh Macleod earns a first Six Nations start at openside flanker. He is joined in the back row by Alex Mann on the blindside and Aaron Wainwright at No. 8.

Tomos Williams is selected at scrum-half alongside fly-half Dan Edwards.

In midfield, Eddie James makes his second Test start at outside centre, pairing with Ben Thomas. Out wide, Josh Adams and Ellis Mee are named on the wings, with Louis Rees-Zammit returning at fullback for his first Six Nations appearance since 2023.

Bench strength

Wales opt for a six-two split among the replacements.

Tomas Francis is set to make his first international appearance since the 2023 Rugby World Cup, with Liam Belcher and Rhys Carre providing additional front-row cover.

Harri Deaves, Ben Carter and Taine Plumtree complete the forward options, while Mason Grady and Kieran Hardy offer backline reinforcement.

Tandy: “We want to attack the game”

Head coach Steve Tandy said the occasion and rivalry would bring extra intensity.

“Wales v England is always special given the history between the two nations,” he said.

“We know they’re playing some outstanding rugby and they’re in great form, but representing Wales means everything to this group.

“The squad have trained brilliantly this week. We want to get out there, attack the game and give the best account of ourselves. Opening the Six Nations at Twickenham is historic and we can’t wait.”

Speaking about Macleod’s selection, Tandy added: “Josh has had tough luck with injuries, but the way he’s come back — his leadership, his preparation and the intensity he brings — has been excellent. It’s great to see him get this opportunity.”