**Chepstow to Host Ambitious Inaugural Welsh Racing Festival with Over £500,000 in Prizes**
A bold new chapter in Welsh horse racing is about to unfold, as organisers unveil the inaugural Welsh Racing Festival at Chepstow Racecourse this autumn. With prize money exceeding half a million pounds up for grabs and a renewed focus on showcasing local sporting talent, this multi-day event aims to establish itself as a major fixture on the British horse racing calendar.
Scheduled from 10 to 12 October, the three-day festival seeks to mark a fresh start for National Hunt racing in Wales. Organisers are not only pledging record-breaking prize pots for participating stables and jockeys, but they are also promising an occasion that will celebrate both the sporting and cultural facets of the sport in Wales.
Chepstow Racecourse, the event’s host, is widely recognised as one of the crown jewels in Welsh sport. It is managed by the Arena Racing Company and is set to reach its 100th anniversary in 2026. In anticipation of this centenary, Chepstow will roll out a special ticket offer, with a three-day entry pass priced at just £39. Additional promotions for racegoers are expected to be revealed in the lead-up to the festival, aiming to attract both seasoned enthusiasts and newcomers alike.
A significant highlight this year is the homecoming of the Welsh Champion Hurdle. First established in 1969, this prestigious event has long been regarded as one of the landmark races in British National Hunt history. After being relocated to Ffos Las in 2010, its return to Chepstow is sure to reignite local excitement and nostalgia amongst fans and professionals.
Stealing further attention will be the Persian War Novices’ Hurdle, which last year awarded a generous £50,000 purse, and the lucrative Silver Trophy. These headline contests, backed by substantial prize money, are anticipated to attract top-tier trainers and riders from across Britain and Ireland, keen to seize early momentum at the launch of the winter jumps season.
More than just about racing, the festival is positioning itself as a celebration of Welsh identity and achievement. As part of its expansion, a Welsh Racing Hall of Fame will be inaugurated, paying tribute to notable personalities who have significantly contributed to the sport in Wales. Visitors will not only enjoy world-class horseback action on the turf but will also be treated to live music performances once racing concludes each day, further enhancing the atmosphere.
The event welcomes leading sponsorship from Dragonbet, a well-known Welsh bookmaker with longstanding ties to Chepstow, dating back to the late 1960s. Dragonbet managing director James Lovell described the partnership as a “significant milestone,” emphasising how the event reflects both sporting heritage and contemporary ambition within Wales.
Chepstow general manager Luke Admans shared his enthusiasm about the transformation of the previous Jumps Season Opener into the more expansive Welsh Racing Festival. He expressed hopes that the event would not aim to mirror mega-festivals such as Cheltenham, but instead foster an intimate yet high-quality racing environment, tailored uniquely to the spirit and culture of Wales.
Amongst those expected to grace the turf is Sean Bowen, the celebrated Welsh champion jockey from Pembrokeshire, who clinched his maiden title earlier this year and is heavily fancied to defend it. Bowen’s participation is likely to inspire local interest and underline Wales’ growing presence on the UK’s horse racing stage.
Organisers are optimistic about drawing thousands of supporters through the turnstiles, with ambitions to raise the event’s stature in future editions. With record prize funds, innovation, and a nod to Welsh heritage, the new festival may well become a cherished tradition in the nation’s sporting calendar for years to come.