Welsh-Trained Horses to Look Out for in New Jumps’ Season

The 2024/25 Jumps season is up and running in the UK, and with so many major prizes up for grabs in the campaign, Welsh horse racing fans, jockeys, and trainers will be excited about the prospects ahead.

Here is a look at three Welsh-trained horses to keep an eye out for this season.

Kitty’s Light – Christian Williams

A staying star! Kitty’s Light gets his big Saturday success in the Vertem Eider Handicap Chase for @jacktudor9 and @CWilliamsRacing at @NewcastleRaces! pic.twitter.com/tEMnenEg3A

— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) February 25, 2023

After recording victories in the Eider Handicap Chase, Scottish Grand National, and Sandown’s Gold Cup Handicap Chase over the last couple of years, Kitty’s Light has consistently been one of the leading staying chasers.

The eight-year-old finished fifth on his debut in the Grand National at Aintree back in April. He is 25/1 in the Paddy Power racing betting for the 2025 Grand National. The last Welsh-trained horse to win the world’s most famous steeplechase was Kirkland in 1905.

As the racing results show, Kitty’s Light was ninth of 20 runners on his last appearance last season at Sandown. He starts the new campaign with an official handicap mark of 144, 2lb lower than last season. If he can find his best form again, Williams’ chaser could be set to add to his CV with some of the biggest 3m+ races in the latest campaign.

Iwilldoit – Sam Thomas

Welsh trainer Sam Thomas prevailed in the Welsh Grand National in 2021 with Iwilldoit. The former leading Jumps jockey was unable to win his home national as a rider, but he eventually got his hands on the trophy as a trainer with his talented chaser.

Iwilldoit showed last December that he can win another Welsh Grand National. He fell just short at Chepstow, finishing third behind Nassalam and Iron Bridge respectively. Thomas’ runner had to carry top weight of 11st 7lb but was still able to finish ahead of 16 runners.

The 10-year-old enjoys a stamina test. He won the Warwick Classic on heavy ground at Warwick two seasons ago, while, as the BBC report documented, his Welsh Grand National triumph came in testing conditions. He will head back to Chepstow with a strong chance of becoming only the second horse in history to win the race more than once.

Libberty Hunter – Evan Williams

Evan Williams came very close to a Cheltenham Festival success in 2024 as Libberty Hunter finished second in the Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Challenge Cup Handicap Chase behind Unexpected Party. That performance will give the Welsh trainer a lot of confidence ahead of the new season.

Belting finish!

Matata jumped for fun in the Close Brothers Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase @CheltenhamRaces, but Libberty Hunter flew home after the last under @Adamkwedge @EWilliamsRacing‘s eight-year-old is on the march pic.twitter.com/ClFhJ5wCZ7

— Racing TV (@RacingTV) January 1, 2024

The eight-year-old gelding fell on his debut over fences at Chepstow, but he soon made up for that error, recording back-to-back victories at Wincanton and Cheltenham respectively. The latter came on Trials Day at the home of Jumps racing.

Libberty Hunter ended the 2023/24 campaign with another stellar performance, finishing in the placings in the Grade One Maghull Novices’ Chase at Aintree’s Grand National Meeting. The Welsh-trained horse is likely to remain at the highest level in the latest campaign, and if he steps up on what he has shown so far, success looks set to go his way.

The highlight of the 2024/25 Jumps’ season in Wales is the Welsh Grand National at Chepstow on the 27th of December. This year will be the 71st renewal of the race.