The Welsh Grand National is one of the key festive races that punters look forward to over Christmas. The Chepstow marathon is the first of the major Nationals to take place each season, preceding events at Fairyhouse, Aintree and Ayr.
Welsh National Legends: 5 Famous Chepstow Winners
Traditionally run on December 27th, it can be a very attritional contest with the mud typically flying. Here’s a look back at five famous winners of the Welsh Grand National.
Welsh National Legends: Fighting Line (1949)
The first time the Welsh National was run at Chepstow was in 1949 and the winner, Fighting Line, was partnered by Welsh-born rider Dick Francis. He brought Fighting Line through to comfortably hold off favourite Old Mortality and score by eight-lengths. Francis, the champion jockey in 1954, rode lots of horses for the Royal Family and, of course, became famous as the author of a series of best-selling thrillers that were often set in the racing world.
Welsh National Legends: Bonanza Boy (1989)
The Martin Pipe-trained Bonanza Boy became the first horse to win the Welsh Grand National in successive seasons when adding to his 1988 win. He was the fifth dual winner of the race at that time, but the first to defend the title both times under Peter Scudamore. It was the start of a golden period for Pipe, who won five Welsh Grand Nationals in all, including training the first four home in the 1992 race, won by Run For Free.
Welsh National Legends: Earth Summit (1997)
By Christmas in 1997 fans of the Welsh National were desperate just to see a race after successive renewals were abandoned due to frost. Thankfully, the race now has an alternate January slot if the weather wreaks havoc. Earth Summit scored under Tom Jenks for trainer Nigel Twiston-Davies in that 1997 renewal and would go on to win the Aintree version in 1998, with Carl Llewellyn deputising for the injured Jenks. With his Merseyside success, Earth Summit became the first horse to win the English, Scottish and Welsh Nationals.
Welsh National Legends: Dream Alliance (2009)
A true rags to riches story, Dream Alliance defied the gods to win the race in 2009. Born on a disused allotment next to Blackwood RFC, he was owned by a syndicate of 23 regulars of the Top Club in Cefn Fforest, who all paid £10-a-week for his upkeep. He had to overcome a severed tendon but would enjoy a decent career, winning five races. The biggest of those came here in 2009 when scoring for trainer Philip Hobbs and rider Tom O’Brien in gutsy fashion from Silver By Nature.
Welsh National Legends: Synchronised (2010)
Trainer Jonjo O’Neill won a January staging of the Chepstow marathon with Synchronised in the 2010 race. The peerless AP McCoy brought home the JP McManus-owned winner with a strong staying performance as his stamina kicked in.
Synchronised is one of three Welsh National winners that went on to win the Cheltenham Gold Cup. Burrough Hill Lad for trainer Jenny Pitman did it in 1983 and won the Blue Riband in the same season, while Synchronised won his Gold Cup in 2012 and Native River triumphed here in 2016 before landing the Gold Cup in 2018.
Please note that the information provided in this Welsh National Legends article is for entertainment purposes only. We do not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of the information provided. Any action you take upon the information on this article is strictly at your own risk, and we will not be liable for any losses and damages in connection with the use of our article. We do not encourage gambling and remind you to gamble responsibly.
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