WILLIAMS SYNDICATE HAS NATIONAL DREAM

Features | 2nd April 2024

All Star Sports Racing, the syndicate behind Randox Grand National hope Kitty’s Light, is hoping to celebrate a special treble at Aintree on Saturday, 13th April.

The Christian Williams-trained eight-year-old has already given them two days to remember, winning the Scottish Grand National last April and the famous Eider Chase at Newcastle two months before that.

Now it’s all systems go for Aintree and a crack at the most famous race in the world. “He’s in great form and we’re ready to go,” says trainer Christian Williams from his coastal base near Cardiff.

“His credentials for the National couldn’t be better. We need a bit of luck to get in the race but he jumps well, stays forever and is nicely weighted, so fingers crossed for another big day.”

All Star Sports Racing is run by former Welsh rugby international Gareth Maule whose syndicate has been involved with Kitty’s Light for most of the eight-year-old’s life. “I can’t imagine what the scenes will be like if he’s in contention over the last two fences,” he says. “If he is, it’ll take a big performance to beat him because when he’s on song he just keeps galloping.”

The All Star Sports syndicate, who own the gelding in partnership with Richard Bedford, bought him cheaply off Christian seven years ago. “We’ve been a part of this journey from the start and have watched him develop into the amazing horse he is today,” adds Gareth, who is now a sports agent.

They share the gelding with an enthusiastic group including a retired policeman, an electrical wholesaler and a former pharmaceutical salesman. “We’re a diverse group but all love our racing and are all happy to let Christian get on with training the horse as only he knows how. He decides when he’s ready and where we go and we’re happy to go along with that.

“Christian’s a good friend of mine but I don’t think any other trainer could have handled Kitty’s Light as well as he and his dedicated staff have, and that’s what makes all the success so special. He makes all our syndicate members feel a big part of his extended family which makes owning a racehorse so much more rewarding,” adds Gareth.

All Star Sports Racing have also enjoyed top level success with Potters Corner, the horse they owned with Welsh rugby star Jonathan Davies. Together they celebrated victory in the Midlands Grand National and the Coral Welsh Grand National in 2019. Now Kitty’s Light is poised to take on the famous Liverpool spruces in his bid to write another heart-warming Grand National narrative.

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