Big shake-up in the world of horse racing! Cath Williams is now at the helm of her husband, Evan Williams’, training yard following his recent conviction. Known for his impressive record, Evan was due to lead two horses at this week’s prestigious Cheltenham Festival, including Libberty Hunter. But after being found guilty of assaulting a dog walker on his land, Evan has stepped down, and Cath has taken charge.
The incident, which took place in December 2024, saw Evan Williams guilty of causing grievous bodily harm with intent to Martin Dandridge, 72, during a late-night confrontation. Dandridge, from Wiltshire, was walking his dog near Williams’ stables when things escalated. A Cardiff jury took just 90 minutes to reach their verdict.
The British Horseracing Authority stated they were in contact with the Williamses and confirmed that by mutual agreement, Cath Williams is now the licensed trainer, responsible for the yard’s horses and staff. Despite the conviction, Evan continues to have access to the Llancarfan yard in South Wales.
The court has yet to sentence him, giving him some time to plan for the business’s future. There’s been no breach of bail conditions and discussions are ongoing about arrangements, should Evan face jail time.
Evan claims the dog walker’s injuries were sustained accidentally, but the prosecution argued it was a case of mistaken identity, with Evan likely believing Mr. Dandridge was trespassing or involved in poaching.
It’s a dramatic turn of events, and all eyes are now on Cath as she navigates this challenging time while ensuring the yard remains a force to reckon with in horse racing. Stay tuned for further updates! 🐴🏇