London, United Kingdom (AFP) — Welsh trainer Rebecca Curtis won Wales’ most prestigious race, the Welsh National, on Saturday as Haiti Couleurs eased home under Welshman Sean Bowen at Chepstow.

The same trio had won the Irish National in April but this victory meant even more to them — Curtis learnt the tricks of the training trade under Bowen’s trainer father Peter and would also babysit Bowen junior and siblings. All those years later Bowen gave her runner a copybook ride and rewarded its owners with a winner’s cheque of £97,000 ($131,000).

The 28-year-old British champion jockey took up the lead well before the halfway mark on the 5/1 chance of the 5,800 metres marathon and dominated the contest from then on.

Bowen had been pipped for victory in Friday’s King George VI Chase at Kempton Park but this time he was not to be denied as he repelled the late challenge of O’Connell.

“These are the races you want to win, on a Welsh horse for a Welsh trainer,” said a jubilant Bowen.

“Becky Curtis used to babysit me as a kid, so to win it for her is amazing.

“What a race horse! I was actually too keen so I thought I’d lead him on.

“What a training performance to get him back a month on from Haydock.”

Curtis, who has also won a Scottish National, had worked wonders to get Haiti Couleurs back to form after a disappointing performance last month when he failed to finish.

“I’m delighted to get him back. I was a bit upset about it all [after Haydock],” said Curtis.

“He was back to his very best. Sean said he had to go to the front as he couldn’t hold him! My owners have been so supportive.

“It’s amazing, we’re all Welsh and it’s a prestigious race to win. We were narrowly defeated with
Teaforthree, so to win it at last is great.”

Curtis would not be drawn on whether she would aim her stable star at the most historic race of all, the Grand National next April.

“We’ll enjoy today before we decide where we go with him next,” she said.