In a stunning display of stamina and heart, the chaser Haiti Couleurs has galloped into the history books with a record-breaking victory in the Coral Welsh Grand National at Chepstow.
A Historic Weight-Carrying Performance
The nine-year-old, trained by Pembrokeshire's Rebecca Curtis and ridden by champion jockey Sean Bowen, carried a colossal 11st 13lb (75kg) to victory. This eclipsed the previous record of 11st 12lb, which had been shared by legends Limonali (1961), Carvill's Hill (1991), and Native River (2016). Sent off at odds of 5-1, Haiti Couleurs bounced back emphatically from a disappointing run in November's Betfair Chase at Haydock.
Front-Running Triumph for Welsh Team
Bowen, who is leading the jockeys' championship this season, took the bold decision to let his mount stride on from the front. "He couldn't hold him!" was Curtis's summary of the tactics, explaining the horse's sheer enthusiasm. Haiti Couleurs maintained his gallop throughout the demanding 3-mile, 6-and-a-half-furlong trip on ground quicker than usual for the event.
On the run-in, he bravely fended off the sustained challenge of the Sue Smith-trained O'Connell, piloted by Joel Parkinson. Deafening Silence (28-1) finished a creditable third, with Livin On Luco (14-1) in fourth.
Emotional Victory for Curtis and Bowen
The win sparked jubilant celebrations for the all-Welsh connections. For Curtis, it was a particularly sweet redemption after the Haydock setback. "I'm absolutely delighted to get him back... everyone wrote him off. I thought the weight was going to get him, but he's absolutely amazing," she said. She also highlighted the prestige of winning a major home race, stating, "We're all Welsh and it's a prestigious race to win."
For Bowen, securing his first Welsh National winner was made even more special by his long-standing connection to the trainer. "Rebecca used to babysit me as a kid, so to win it for her is amazing," he revealed, having been warmly cheered by the Chepstow crowd. The victory came just a day after he was narrowly denied in the King George VI Chase at Kempton.
Curtis's success continues an impressive trend for female trainers in the race, following recent wins by Mel Rowley (2024), Nicky Martin (2022), Kerry Lee (2015), and Venetia Williams (2014). Owned by Simon Prowting, James Conyers, and Dave McDermott, Haiti Couleurs added this famous Welsh prize to his Irish Grand National victory secured at Fairyhouse last April.
