'He will win!” . . . Two Years On From Infamous Interview, Wales' Star Flat Horse Looks To Land Weekend Highlight

“Get on it, he will win!” were the bold words from Welsh owner Gareth Cheshire when asked about his horse, Golden Rules, in the prestigious Northumberland Plate in 2023.

Now, the Welsh-trained horse will look to pull off the weekend highlight almost two years later.

Cheshire's comments led to a major gamble on Golden Rules in the race which stops the city of Newcastle, and is worth a whopping £150,000, while champion jockey Oisin Murphy took the ride as he eventually finished second.

It proved to be a mighty effort from a horse who was cast off from the powerhouse John Gosden yard, but fulfilled his true potential when moved to Monmouthshire to be trained by Deborah Faulkner.

She has since retired and handed over to son Thomas and Golden Rules has been far from straightforward to train. 
He had a whole year off before finishing fourth at Kempton in March and connections have undoubtedly been aiming him at a return to Newcastle since.

DragonBet make him a 12-1 chance to land a fairytale win for all involved and Faulkner has said there is "unfinished business" in a recent interview ahead of the race.

Golden Rules is the flagbearer for the yard based just outside of Chepstow and it has been a brilliant season for the stable with ten Flat winners. A £1 bet on all of their runners would return a quite remarkable £137.28 profit.

Faulkner has entered Golden Flame, also by the Derby and Arc-winning stallion Golden Horn, in the Northumberland Plate as well but he is much more likely to run in the consolation race, the Northumberland Vase.

100 Up

Welsh trainer David Evans enjoyed a landmark on Monday as he chalked up a century of Flat winners at Chepstow with the well-named Lambournghini in the 7f handicap.

Evans, who trains in Pandy, Monmouthshire, has been sending out Flat runners since 1989 and has gone on to become one of the country's leading lights on the Flat.

READ MORE: Grace Harris Chasing Royal Ascot Glory with Bargain Colt “Eddie”

He has particularly thrived with sprinters with Group winners The Kiddykid, Bathwick Bear and Good Vibes among high-profile names. 

Perhaps the best, though, was his two-time Royal Ascot hero Rohaan, who has accumulated almost half a million pounds in prize-money.

The Chepstow landmark, which does not include his six jumps winners at the home of the Welsh Grand National, has come from a total of 885 runners. 

He has trained 43 winners at Ffos Las, the other Welsh course which stages Flat racing.

Local trainer Christopher Mason also had a winner on the card to bring his tally up to five winners this season from just 20 runners. 

All Way Glamorous beat a field including course legend Connie's Rose in the 5f handicap.

Royal Ascot reflections

There were no celebrations for Welsh connections at Royal Ascot in 2025 but a leading horse emerged for adopted Welshman Danny Muscutt for the second half of the season.

READ MORE: The Five Horses For Welsh Connections To Watch At Royal Ascot

Glittering Legend was flagged in the blog last week as the one horse for Welsh connections to watch in the 36 races and ran a storming third in the Group 3 Hampton Court Stakes. 

That contest is usually a great indicator for finding future stars and connections are already considering lucrative international targets with the four-time winner. 

It could be that Muscutt no longer keeps the ride, but he remains a fine prospect for the future.

Top jockey David Probert was without a winner but he picked up three thirds, including on a 66-1 shot. That was aboard Coppull, trained just over the border in Lambourn, who ran a huge race in the Coventry Stakes and looks a two-year-old to follow.

Cheshire Dancer, at 20-1, also hit the frame in the Kensington Palace Stakes while Fearnot was not far away from landing the Britannia. 

He is another who could attract overseas interest after such a fine run on the global stage.

READ MORE: Dazzling David Probert Tees Up Big June With Haydock Treble