Tata creates special Tinplate Trophy
during busy race-days and has walked the length of its 12-furlong track during its quiet times.
He added: “I have always been fascinated by the arithmetic of the racing form, and by the fact that race courses have their own unique characters.
“The horses are always fascinating to watch, and there is, of course, the sporting aspect of race days and the chance to pit your wits against the bookies. If you come out of the day with a profit that’s great, but there is always that sense of common purpose in the crowd – to beat the bookies.
“And people love going to the races because it has a touch of glamour – if you are somewhere like Royal Ascot you can see royals RACE-GOERS will have heard of the Cheltenham Gold Cup and the Silver Trophy Handicap Hurdle – now there is the Ffos Las Tinplate Trophy – minted in Tinopolis thanks to Tata Steel.
The global steel giant, which has a tinplate plant in Trostre, has created a special Tinplate Trophy after it learned that Ffos Las would celebrate its 10th anniversary on June 20 with a special race evening.
The idea came about after a worker and racegoer at Tata Steel realised that tin was the traditional gift for 10-year anniversaries.
The idea of presenting a Tinplate Trophy to Ffos Las as a 10th anniversary gift was then mooted.
The resulting Tinplate Trophy, complete with a Welsh Dragon design and forged at nearby Trostre Works, was presented to Ffos Las General Manager Simon Rowlands by Joe Gallacher, Works Manager, Trostre Works.
Joe said: “Many of our Trostre staff regularly visit Ffos Las so when we heard it was their 10th anniversary and the obvious link with tin, as a fellow local business, we wanted to do something special to help them celebrate. And what better way than with a Tinplate Trophy.
“We were happy to create the Tinplate Trophy to showcase some of the skills we have at the works in Llanelli and to help another local business celebrate 10 years of success.
“Trostre tinplate can be found all around the world, but when you see it getting used locally, like
rubbing shoulders with dustmen. Many people are nostalgic for an era when people would go along to the races in hats, gloves and suits and ties. Things have changed a little since then, but on big racing days you still see people really making an effort and dressing up.
“I also own a very small stake in a horse – perhaps a single fetlock. And I did have two winners on my last this, it’s really special.
“Congratulations to Ffos Las on marking its first 10 years – here’s to many more.”
Phil Bell, Executive Director at Ffos Las, said: “We would like to sincerely thank Joe and Tata Steel for giving their time and expertise so generously and for creating this fine trophy.
“Like them, we are very proud to be a part of the local community here in South West Wales and we know many of our supporters are local - and a number of them work at Trostre.
“I know they feel a real sense of allegiance towards Ffos Las.
“We are grateful for their continued support and we hope they enjoyed some good luck in our 10th anniversary races!”
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visit to Ffos Las – the favourite in the last race – I won the princely sum of £8.75.”
Phil Bell, Executive Director at Ffos Las, said: “The Ffos Las story is still unfolding, and I believe its best days are still ahead, but I’m delighted to see the story so far being documented so expertly, thanks to Jim.”
Ffos Las, The Birth of a Racecourse, is available to buy for £8 at Ffos Las Racecourse.