Tributes to farmer of Vale hunt racecourse
WELSH point-to-point racing is mourning the death of Vale of Glamorgan farmer Ralph Thomas, 84, who farmed the land at St Hilary where the Glamorgan and Pentyrch hunts held their annual point-to-point steeplechases for many years.
Mr Thomas is survived by his widow Mary and children Penny, Phillip and Russell.
He was a much-loved grandfather and great-grandfather.
St Athan farmer Jim Thomas said: “Ralph farmed all his working life at St Hilary. It was a mixed farm cows, sheep and cereals.
“He was very popular and well liked by everyone and was also a good craftsman which showed when he prepared the point-to-point racecourse which was run on his farmland for a number of years.’’
He added: “He also ran a few horses in point-to-points and under Rules. Not one to seek the limelight, he was quite unassuming and a real gentleman who will be missed by many.’’ His funeral took place at St Hilary Church last Friday.
On a lighter note, two Welsh horses fought out the finish of the famed Lady Dudley Cup at the Worcestershire Hunt Point-To-Point Steeplechases.
Julian Sherrif ’s Premier Magic, partnered by Welsh champion rider Bradley Gibbs, beat the Gareth Moor-trained Ennistown, who was ridden by Evan David.
Gibbs also won the maiden race on Post No Bills.
At the recent Chepstow meeting, two former Welsh point-to-point riders rode winners.
Lorcan Williams took the novices’ handicap chase on the Paul Nicholls-trained Saint De Reve and David Prichard landed the National Hunt flat race on Vic Dartnall’s Atjima.
Williams has been in cracking form this season and at Wincanton last Sunday he gave Nicholls plenty to smile about when he won on his Monty’s Medoc, Get The Appeal and Le Chifre D’Or.
The same day at Stratford, Alan Johns, who like Williams hails from west Wales, won on Rob The Getaway.
Last Monday Pembrokeshire’s Sean Bowen rode another winner for his father, Peter, at Market Rasen when scoring on Rooster Cogburn which was Sean’s 67th winner of the season.