Welsh race to support Williams family amid daughter's cancer worry

Chepstow Racecourse is the home of the Welsh Grand National

Welsh horse racing is enjoying a "golden era" but rarely has the chance to gather to celebrate its depth of talent.

Earlier this year, trainer Christian Williams' five-year-old daughter Betsy was diagnosed with leukaemia.

The racing community has rallied around the family and Friday's Unibet Welsh Jump Jockeys' Derby at the home of Welsh racing has been organised to continue that support and raise money for charity.

"Phil Bell (the regional director west at Arena Racing Company) has been a big advocate of the Welsh talent that has been growing in the jockey and trainer ranks," Alan Johns, one of the jockeys who will compete at Chepstow on Friday, told Radio Wales Sport.

"He's been looking for an opportunity to showcase our talents, and with racing rallying behind Christian and his family and Betsy like they have, he saw it as a great opportunity to put a race on, try and raise some money for charity, show our support for Betsy and the family and bring it all together that way.

"It's basically a flat race for all the jump jockeys in Wales to compete in. There's no [prize] money at stake from our point of view... a bit of fun, but certainly there will be a bit of competition between us all."

The Derby, which will be run over a classic distance of 1m4f and will raise money for Welsh children's cancer charity Latch, will feature 12 of the leading Welsh jump jockeys including the likes of Sean Bowen - currently leading the British Jump Jockeys' Championship standings - his brother James, Jack Tudor, Ellis Collier, Richard Patrick and Johns.

"All the family will be there and friends as well, people who have become close friends with us that we've met in the hospital and never knew before then," Welsh trainer Williams said.

"It's been a tough seven months now but she (Betsy) went back to school last week so that was great, a very special day.

"There's still a long road to go but just hope and pray for a bit of luck, and she's started maintenance now and that goes on until 25th May.

"We're being very grateful for the support we've had; it's just been a wonderful week to see her go back to school."

Christian Williams' daughter Betsy followed the trainer's Scottish Grand National win in April on television

Successful days at the racetrack have provided some much-needed distraction for the Williams family as they deal with Betsy's cancer treatment, with April's win double at the Scottish Grand National and Bet365 Gold Cup at Sandown for Kitty's Light giving cheer in particular.

Race director Bell hopes Friday's event at Chepstow, which is due to go off at 12.50 BST, will be another race the Williams family will be able to look back on with fondness.

"This special race is for an important cause. The entire Welsh horse racing community is rallying around to support Christian and his family," Bell said.

"We felt it was important, as the biggest racecourse in Wales, to do what we could to raise awareness and money.

"This is a golden era for Welsh jockeys, and we thought the idea of the charity race involving all of them would be the perfect vehicle for fundraising."

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