Top trainer in TV spotlight (From Western Telegraph)

Top trainer in TV spotlight

The Cheltenham Gold Cup is always one of the highlights of the jump-racing season and for one trainer from Pembrokeshire winning that prestigious prize could be a dream come true.

In the third and final programme in the documentary series Y Ceffyl Blaen (Front Runner) shown on July 4th on S4C, viewers can follow Letterston trainer Peter Bowen as he prepares for the races.

Having started off as a point-to-point trainer, horses have always played a major part in Peter's life.

Today he runs a successful yard, stabling 43 horses and is a respected figure in the jump racing world and an expert in his field.

Every March over 200,000 spectators flock to Cheltenham to watch some of the world's most exciting races.

"Every race in Cheltenham is so competitive - it's like going to the Olympics. Some of the best races in the world are held here and there's a lot of stress involved as so much can go wrong before the big day," Peter said.

The programme will also meet a member of Peter Bowen's staff, 18 year-old Michelle Harries from Newport, as she follows a two-month course in Newmarket on how to manage and ride a racehorse.

Michelle's interest in horses stems from her mother and from Peter himself and like many of the other students she hopes her hard graft will pay its way one day when she will also be able to look after that winning horse.