Harbourside town to host new triathlon and family-friendly sporting events with live music and celebrations

FISHGUARD is preparing to welcome athletes, families and spectators next weekend as a brand-new Festival of Sports comes to town, bringing races, live entertainment and a post-event celebration to the historic harbour.

Organised by Activity Wales Events, the inaugural Fishguard Festival of Sports will see competitors take part in a series of endurance events set against the backdrop of Pembrokeshire’s dramatic coastline.

The festival promises scenic race routes, historic surroundings and what organisers describe as “incredible spectator support,” with participants encouraged to make a weekend of the occasion.

Among the attractions are commemorative finisher medals, family-focused participation opportunities and live music taking place across the town throughout the weekend.

One of the more unusual features of the event allows runners to cross the finish line with their children or loved ones, giving families the chance to celebrate together.

Camping will also be available for visitors travelling to the area, while race registration and number collection will take place from 2:00pm on Friday, June 5, at the Phoenix Centre in Fishguard.

Organisers say entries for the sporting events close on Monday, meaning anyone hoping to take part is being urged to sign up quickly.

The festival is expected to provide a welcome boost for local businesses, with competitors and supporters likely to visit pubs, restaurants and shops across Fishguard and Goodwick during the weekend.

A post-race celebration is planned at The Farmers Arms in Fishguard, where participants and supporters will be able to enjoy live entertainment after the events.

Further details and event registration are available through Activity Wales Events.

Letterston racing family at centre of BHA ruling as two winners are disqualified

TWO Pembrokeshire horse trainers from Letterston have been fined £5,000 after two racehorses failed post-race drug tests, leading to both animals being stripped of race victories.

Peter and Mickey Bowen, father and brother of champion jockey Sean Bowen, appeared before a British Horseracing Authority disciplinary panel on Thursday (May 28).

The father-and-son training partnership was operating under the same licence at the time of the positive tests, although Mickey Bowen has been the sole licence holder since May 2025.

The pair were fined £4,000 for breaching Rule (K)2.2, which states that no category B substance may be present in a horse’s system on the day it is engaged to run.

They were also fined a further £1,000 for breaching Rule (D)24, which requires trainers to keep clear and accurate records of medication given to horses in their care within 48 hours of treatment.

Two horses disqualified

The disciplinary action relates to Flying Fortune and Olivers Travels, both of which have now been disqualified from wins in 2024.

Flying Fortune has been stripped of victory in the Grade 2 Persian War Novices’ Hurdle at Chepstow on Friday (Oct 11, 2024).

The race is regarded as one of the key early contests of the National Hunt season, and the win had been a major success for the Bowen yard.

Racing reports at the time described it as a family affair, with Flying Fortune trained by Peter and Mickey Bowen and ridden by James Bowen. The mare was sent off 2/1 favourite and won by seven-and-a-half lengths.

However, a post-race urine sample later revealed the presence of procaine, a local anaesthetic.

The race has now been awarded to Intense Approach, trained by John McConnell.

Second winner loses race

Olivers Travels has also been disqualified from a 2m7f handicap chase at Worcester on Wednesday (Aug 21, 2024).

A post-race urine sample revealed the presence of dexamethasone, a corticosteroid commonly used to treat inflammation or allergic reactions.

That race has now been awarded to Galloping Pride, trained by Emma Lavelle.

The BHA said the case was dealt with by way of a plea agreement approved by the independent disciplinary panel.

A BHA statement said: “Following this morning’s hearing before the independent Disciplinary Panel, the Panel has approved a Plea Agreement.

“The penalty for breaching Rule (K)2.2 is a £4,000 fine and (D)24 a £1,000 fine.

“The two horses involved, Olivers Travels (IRE) and Flying Fortune (IRE), will be disqualified from their respective races at Worcester on 21 August 2024 and Chepstow on 11 October 2024.”

The ruling does not suggest any wrongdoing by the jockeys involved. The disciplinary action was directed at the trainers over the presence of prohibited substances on race day and failures in medication record keeping.

Welsh drivers Meirion Evans and Osian Pryce strengthen British Rally Championship title challenge

CASTROL MEM Rally Team secured its second double podium finish in as many rounds of the 2026 British Rally Championship, with Welsh crews Meirion Evans/Dale Furniss and Osian Pryce/James Morgan finishing second and third on the Jim Clark Rally.

The Borders event, held on Friday and Saturday (May 22 and 23), covered 100 stage miles and proved another strong outing for the Toyota GR Yaris Rally2 team.

Lampeter driver Meirion Evans delivered a fast and consistent performance, setting the quickest time on stage two and recording six second-fastest stage times. He was third overnight, just 18.7 seconds off the lead, despite starting one night-time stage with his Toyota’s lamp pod disconnected.

Evans moved into second place after Saturday’s opening daylight stage and held the position to the finish, collecting another valuable haul of championship points.

Osian Pryce, from Machynlleth, made a flying start by setting the fastest time on the opening stage and led the rally early on. He was second at the overnight halt, but his hopes of victory were hit on stage five after a delay at the start left him launching into the Polwarth test on cold Michelin tyres.

The 2022 British Rally Champion overshot, then lost around 25 seconds when he was unable to select reverse, leaving him stranded up an escape road.

Pryce then focused on securing third place and ended the event on a high by setting the fastest time on the tenth and final stage.

A win and a third place from the opening two rounds keeps Pryce at the top of the BRC drivers’ standings, while Evans is just four points behind after two second-place finishes.

Evans said: “We were really strong on the Jim Clark Rally last year, so we came here with hopes that we could fight for the win. We were close, but no cigar.

“Two second place finishes in the BRC so far this year is good. I just need to start winning now.”

Pryce said: “We were fighting for the win but ended up having to consolidate the points available, and I’m not too disappointed with third given how things unfolded.

“We’re still leading the championship, so now the focus shifts to the next round and coming back fighting on the Grampian.”