THE sun shone and the bubbly flowed at Little Newcastle on Sunday, to celebrate the achievements of locally trained race horse, Henllan Harri.

The 40-1 shot Henllan Harri, trained by Peter Bowen and ridden by his son Sean, galloped to victory in the Bet365 Gold Cup at Sandown races on Saturday, April 29.

Owned by owner Einsley Harries, Henllan Harri made all the running, and kept a rapidly closing field at bay up the Sandown hill, under an inspired Sean Bowen.

After the race trainer Peter Bowen said:

"It made it twice as special with Sean riding. He ran above himself, I would say. We were a bit worried as he has always jumped a bit left but he jumped really straight."

Henllan Harri hasn't run since the Bet365 Gold Cup but is due to race again in two weeks' time in the Summer National.

"Hopefully he will run well," said Mr Bowen. "He should run well."

Around 200 villagers, and Henllan Harri's owners Lynne and Einsley Harries, attended the party on Little Newcastle Village Green on Sunday, enjoying music, a free bar and a pig roast as well as an appearance by the famous horse himself.

"It was a great success, people enjoyed it," said Mr Bowen. "Thank you to the village for coming and sharing in our success."