OUR SHINING LIGHTS
A GRAND National horse trained on the beach, like its most famous winner Red Rum, is lifting spirits of a family battling cancer.
Kitty’s Light has prepared for Aintree by galloping along golden sands near the rugged coastline of Ogmore-bySea in Wales.
The staying chaser is trained by Christian Williams, whose sixyear-old daughter Betsy was diagnosed with leukaemia just over a year ago.
Her eight-year-old sister Tilly, mum Charlotte, a physio — and racing’s tight-knit community — have rallied round the brave youngster.
And aptlynamed Kitty’s Light, who completed a unique steeplechasing treble around the same time, has made dark days a little brighter.
“The hardest thing has been seeing how the treatment has affected Betsy mentally,” said Williams, a former jockey forced to retire at the age of 29.
“They take them to the brink with treatment, close to death. One day we’ll probably look back and wonder how we got through it.”
Tough
Racing no longer dominated Williams’ thoughts when he learned of especially tough times ahead during last year’s Cheltenham Festival.
After arduous treatment at Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospital in Cardiff, the horseman will sit with Betsy while she takes her daily chemotherapy in pill form.
“It has been tough,” said Williams. “I have felt very emotional but together we have found a way to cope. Hopefully in May 2025, Betsy will get to ring the bell.”
The milestone signalling the end of treatment is a longawaited time for the
Welsh couple, running a business around the clock with 30 thoroughbreds to care for. Kitty’s Light, who cost just over €5,840, excelled in staying chases at a time when the family needed it most.
The Flat-bred jumper was first in the 2023 Eider Chase, Scottish National and, a week later, Sandown’s Bet365 Gold Cup.
Interest
Part-owned by Richard Bedford, who became a racehorse owner for a lockdown interest, the story of Kitty’s Light has warming familiarity to a special result in 1981.
Cancer patient Bob Champion inspired many by riding chestnut Aldaniti to victory, giving so much hope to people fighting ill health. “Kitty’s Light also trains on a beach like Red Rum did, so hopefully it’s lucky,” added Williams.
“He’s not very big but he’s a very clever horse. The owners dream of having a National runner and he deserves to have a go at it.”
On sand similar to what other trainers pay five-figure sums per year to maintain on gallops, Kitty’s Light is reaching peak form.
With regular dips in the water and room to roam his paddock freely, the horse with a seaside routine could be about to make waves in Liverpool.
“We are privileged to have a horse good enough for the National,” said Williams, rider of 2005 runner-up Royal Auclair.
“When he won the Scottish version last April, it was the first big win after the little one was diagnosed.
“I know he’ll try his best at Aintree and that is all I can ask for. If he was human, he’d be smiling all the time.”