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It’S Tim Vaughan V Mrs Vaughan V Vaughan Jnr And Miss Vaughan

It’s Tim Vaughan v Mrs Vaughan v Vaughan Jnr And Miss Vaughan

The Vaughan family (from left to right): Ed, Henry, Grace, Abbi and Tim.

A Welsh family, steeped in racing, is about to get under orders for an incredible challenge. The Racing Post’s James Stevens reports on a remarkable tale plus news on a retirement decision.

Later this month, a father, mother, son, and daughter from a Welsh family are to compete in the same race in an unbelievable first for racing.

Tim Vaughan, one of Wales’s top trainers, has lost two stone for the challenge and admits there is fighting talk within his Cowbridge household ahead of the Newmarket Town Plate later this month.

Vaughan senior has not ridden for years but will take on wife Abbi - who boasts a 100 per cent record, having won a Chepstow charity race in her only ride - as well as their two eldest children.

Edward Vaughan is already a familiar name on the racecard as an amateur jockey, but it will be a first ride for Grace, who does bring experience from winning a Horse of the Year event.

The four are to line up on horses trained at the family yard in the world’s longest Flat race, which is almost four miles long.

It also has a rather rich history, dating back over 350 years.

Tim Vaughan said: "It's been real fun.

“We've been winding each other up and I'm trying to pick the fastest horse so that I win. We've had such a good time getting there, there's been so much camaraderie already.

“We've got four horses lined up and I'm definitely the most bullish as I'm choosing the horses. Me and Ed have a lot of competition for it. The girls are a little less aggressive.

“It's been carnage, things have been getting heated in the house. It's got me fitter and sharper, we're all pumped."

Retirement of top rider

Jockey Connor Brace announced his retirement over the weekend as he switches focus to pre-training, a crucial part of a racehorse’s early career.

Brace, 26, bows out having ridden 161 winners across his seven-year career.

They include three wins at Grade 2 level, with the standout on Verdana Blue, for top trainer Nicky Henderson, in the Scottish Champion Hurdle in 2019.

He earned the nickname ‘The Beast from Bridgend’ at the yard of Gloucestershire-based Fergal O’Brien, where he rode throughout his career.

Yet he was also supported throughout his career by grandfather David, a leading figure in the Welsh point-to-point ranks who trained under rules when Brace became a professional.

The faith shown by the miner-turned millionaire window company owner was repaid years later when young Connor delivered a masterclass in Newbury’s prestigious Greatwood Gold Cup aboard the Brace-owned Paint The Dream in 2022.

Brace also won the inaugural Welsh Jump Jockey’s Derby, a charity race staged at Chepstow to raise money for children’s cancer charity LATCH.

He and partner Alex will now switch attention to their new business, a pre-training yard in Willersey, near Evesham.

That involves caring for horses in the early stages of their career before they go on to become racehorses - and is a crucial part of their development.

Goodwood hopes

It is Glorious Goodwood week and a selection of Wales’ biggest names are set to shine at the five-day festival on the South Downs.

David Probert, who is soon off to Hong Kong, has a number of top chances with the pick being Royal Ascot third Coppull in the Richmond Stakes (1.55) on Thursday.

Trainer David Evans has Blue Prince to look forward to on Wednesday (4.55) while Wonder Legend is the main hope for adopted Welshman Danny Muscutt on Saturday (1.55).