By Graham Thomas

Welsh jockeys have crowned their own champion in Connor Brace and helped raise £15,000 for Welsh children’s cancer charity, Latch.

Brace – whose younger brother Max plays rugby for the Ospreys Academy – won the Welsh Jump Jockeys’ Derby last weekend at Chepstow Racecourse.

It was the opening race of the season opener and featured 10 of Wales’ best jump jockeys racing on the flat over one mile and four furlongs.

Brace earned the bragging rights, coming home first on Recoup in a race organised by fellow jockey Alan Johns to show support to the family of leading Welsh trainer Christian Williams.

Connor Brace can call himself a Derby-winning jockey!

He’s ridden Recoup (Fergal O’Brien) to win the Welsh Jump Jockeys Derby, a race to raise money to Welsh cancer charity LATCH.

Over £11,000 has been raised so far. @RacingPost | @Chepstow_Racing | @LATCHWales pic.twitter.com/6MWcMAITjK

— James Stevens (@JamesStevens180) October 13, 2023

The race featured Sean Bowen who currently leads the jump jockey’s championship, as well as his brother James, winner Brace, Johns, Lorcan Williams, Jack Tudor, Ben Jones, Adam Wedge, Richard Patrick and Ellis Collier.

Brace finished just ahead of Ladypacksapunch, ridden by Jones in second place, with Williams’ trained Kitty’s Light – winner of last season’s Scottish Grand National – finishing third.

“It was brilliant, great, it was very special to us, Charlotte, the children here and all the staff and family,” Williams told At The Races afterwards.

“It’s been tough, my daughter’s got cancer so it’s tough, but it’s great to see Kitty’s Light here as well, thanks for the owners for letting us run him – he ran a lovely race but it was Betsy’s day today, it wasn’t about getting upset if you don’t win a charity race!”

A moment for Betsy Williams, daughter of #TeamNAF's @CWilliamsRacing. Ahead the Opener at @Chepstow_Racing, a 'Welsh Jump Jockeys Derby’ was run to raise money for Welsh children’s cancer charity Latch. The race was won by Connor Brace & Recoup. Donate ➡️ https://t.co/itr2EAXLdK https://t.co/DeYb1rUXs4

— @nafuk (@nafuk) October 13, 2023

It proved a successful weekend for Patrick, who celebrated a home Welsh success at Ffos Las on Sunday after winning the DragonBet Welsh Champion Hurdle on board Nemean Lion.

Phil Bell, the regional director west at Arena Racing Company, said: “The entire Welsh horse racing community is rallying around to support Christian and his family.

“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.”

Connor Brace is officially the best Welsh Flat Jockey after winning the Welsh Jump Jockeys Derby @chepstow_racing aboard Recoup! pic.twitter.com/cIaxmQ7FeP

— Unibet Racing (@UnibetRacing) October 13, 2023