Christopher Mason (photographed) has enjoyed his best campaign in terms of prize-money and things nearly got even sweeter at Haydock on Saturday when All Ways Glamorous was just denied.
Based not far from Caerwent, Mason has been training for a number of years and last term won £102,185, a figure he has already bettered in 2025. He has pocketed £111,852 this season but that could have been more as All Ways Glamorous missed out on a first prize of more than £25,000 at Haydock over the weekend.
Contesting a 5f handicap, which was screened live on ITV’s main channel, the gelding was ridden by Gina Mangan, the yard’s main jockey. The pair were bumped at the start and raced towards the near side, leading overall only to be reeled in late by King Of Light. To his credit, All Ways Glamorous, who was also second at Ascot on his previous start, kept on and remains progressive, probably producing another career-best in defeat.
Mason went without runners at Ffos Las on Sunday, when Welsh winners were on display thanks to Bernard Llewellyn, who trains not far from Merthyr Tydfil.
First up was yard stalwart Zambezi Magic, a prolific winner at the track who ran in the 1m2f handicap for amateur riders. In the hands of Llewellyn’s granddaughter Jessica, the gelding was settled in rear but made smooth headway and was soon in a commanding position. Anyone who took the 2-1 starting price had few worries as the eight-year-old powered clear, recording a 16-length winning margin.
Llewellyn, who had plenty of runners at the venue, doubled up in the last with Kaleidoscope Eyes, a 20-1 chance ridden by Charlie Bennett.
Relatively new to the Llewellyn operation, the filly had shown promise on her last appearance at Chepstow and was able to take a step forward from that, beating Up The Anti for a three-quarter-length success.
Behind her in third was Eye Of The Water, who is trained by Chepstow trainer Ron Harris, whose daughter Grace was also represented on the Ffos Las bill with three runners, although she did not enjoy much luck.
Oasis Sunrise, her interest in the mile handicap, fared best, finishing second to Dinah Myte. Other winners on the card included Proof and Astrazar, who hailed from the Lambourn yards of Charlie Hills and Ed Walker.
Chepstow has not raced since September 2 but will be back in action next week (Friday to Sunday), when it hosts its Dragonbet Welsh Racing Festival, which is seen by many as the start of the core jumps season and could welcome many of the sport’s biggest names.
The meeting, for which a three-day pass is available for just £39, features 21 races and there will also be a retail village onsite, while live entertainment comes from The Wickerman after racing. Gates open two hours before the first race and drinks offers will be in place as well.
