David Probert Bows Out in Style . . . While Mrs. Vaughan is Head of the Family Firm

David Probert signed off in Britain with a winner on Saturday, as Wales' top Flat jockey heads to Hong Kong for a new chapter in his career.

The Bargoed rider is travelling east after partnering his 1,687th winner in his final race in Britain aboard Queen All Star in the 5f handicap.

Probert has ridden since 2006 and picked up close to £20 million in prize-money in Britain alone. 

Highlights in the saddle include 13 Group 2 wins and a second-place finish in the Derby.

He also shared the champion apprentice title in 2008 with William Buick and was the leading all-weather rider in the 2021-22 season.

The jockey said the move would create more opportunities while he also seeks an elusive first Group 1 victory. 

He had one more try in Europe in Sunday's Prix Morny at Deauville, but Coppull faded into fifth having been in contention in the closing stages.

The Hong Kong season starts on September 7 and his licence to ride in Hong Kong will run until February 17.

 

Family of four ride in same race

It was the big week in the Tim Vaughan household with a father, mother, son and daughter all lining up in the same race.

Neither of the Vaughan family were able to land the historic Newmarket Town Plate, a charity race being run for the 355th year, but it was mum Abbi who fared best of the Welsh quartet.

Abbi Vaughan was second on Reina Del Mar, with daughter Grace immediately behind and Tim fourth, having set the pace. 
The race was a one-off with the two Vaughan children now turning their focus to full-time education.

 

Consistent Sands goes close

A sensational season for Welsh-bred and owned Saqqara Sands continued as she went within a neck of another major scalp at Goodwood.

The three-year-old runs in the silks of Chepstow-based John Deer and was bidding for a hat-trick having won a Listed race at Carlisle and dead-heating at Glorious Goodwood.

She was raised from Group 3 to Group 2 level and only narrowly headed by favourite Jonquil in the final strides.

That was her first race at a mile distance while she still has never been out of the top two in her career.

 

On fire

It was a brilliant week for the horse Vape, with two wins in two days for Bridgend-based John and Rhys Flint.

Apprentice Charlie Tucker delivered a brilliant ride to win by a neck at 8pm at Windsor last Monday and 23 hours later his next race was scheduled at Chepstow, where he won by an even wider margin.

Over jumps, three different Welsh yards enjoyed success in one seven-race card at Newton Abbot. 
Victories came for horses from the Grace Harris, Evan Williams and Christian Williams stables.

 

National Racehorse Week in Wales

Two top Welsh yards are open for National Racehorse Week, the nationwide promotional week to celebrate horses.

On Tuesday, Christian Williams will welcome members of the public for a free-to-enter morning while Tim Vaughan, from Town Plate glory, will also take part.