Special horse race held amid support for little girl who captured hearts

Wales' best jump jockeys will start the new season with a different but very important race

Wales’ leading jump jockeys will put their pride on the line this weekend as they help start the Welsh jump season with a charity ride that already appears an institution.

The likes of Sean and James Bowen, Connor Brace, Ben Jones, Jack Tudor and Alan Johns will feature in the Welsh Jump Jockeys Derby – the first race of the Unibet Jump Season Opener at Chepstow on Friday October 11.

The first edition of the race a year ago – notable for jump jockeys racing on the flat – proved hugely popular in raising funds for LATCH, the Welsh children’s cancer charity.

Last year, the support echoed that throughout the wider racing world for the family of leading Welsh trainer, Christian Williams. His young daughter Betsy had been diagnosed with leukemia earlier in 2023 and her story captured the hearts of the wider nation around the time of the Grand National earlier this year.

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Race organiser Johns – who rides a number of horses for Vale of Glamorgan-based Williams – believes the second running of the Welsh Jump Jockeys Derby was essential to show that support for Williams and other families was ongoing.

“The race itself is fun, and it provides plenty of laughs for the jockeys taking part, but the serious point is the show of support and to underline that support continues,” says John.

“It’s a good reminder that whatever else is going on in the sport, for Christian and his family, and for other families, they are still going through the issues an illness brings.

“We can show we are still aware of that, that the support wasn’t a one-off – that it’s always there – and that’s why we are all coming back again to support the charity.”

As for the race itself, last year it was won by Brace on Recoup, as the rider just managed to hold off the challenge of Jones on Ladypacksapunch.

Kitty’s Light - a Williams winner of the Scottish Grand National and a fifth-place finisher in last season’s Aintree Grand National – finished third, with Tudor on board.

This year, Kitty’s Light is being lined for Saturday’s meeting at Chepstow – part of a three-day mini-festival of racing in Wales, with Ffos Las hosting Sunday’s meeting that includes the DragonBet Welsh Champion Hurdle.

So, for the Jump Jockeys Derby, the Williams family will be pinning their hopes on stablemate, Five Star Getaway.

"I'm thankful to all the people who organise this race it as it's great,” said Williams.

"I think we'll run Five Star Getaway, who missed last season. He'd be a nice ride for Jack Tudor."

Johns added: “We have got some serious riding talent in Wales at the moment, as can be seen with Sean and James Bowen going really well this year.

“This race might seem light-hearted, but it’s a fantastic way to start the season and I would absolutely love to win it.”

After the Welsh Jump Jockeys Derby goes off at 1.20pm on Saturday, the Jump Season Opener will feature eight races, with German-themed “Oktoberfest” attractions on-course, including a bierkeller and oompah band.

Friday, October 11 – The Unibet Jump Season Opener – Day 1 – Chepstow

Saturday, October 12 – The Unibet Jump Season Opener – Day 2 – Chepstow

Sunday, October 13 - The DragonBet Welsh Champion Hurdle 2024 – Ffos Las