Joy as organisers confirm return of Welsh trotting season

The first meeting of the 2021 season is scheduled to take place at the Tair Gwaith all-weather track in the Amman Valley on Sunday May, 30.

It will not be like the start of previous seasons as Covid 19 rules and regulations prohibit crowd participation, but it will be a welcome return to the track for horses and their handlers.

With last year’s lockdown preventing any meetings in 2020, the local trotting enthusiasts are chaffing at the bit to get racing.

Trotting makes it comeback in Wales at the end of May.

Although in the first meeting, there will only be the horses with their essential handlers, trainers and drivers, the association is hopeful that before too long, crowds will return to cheer on their favourites.

Spokesperson Maureen Lloyd said: "Everyone is looking forward to the return of some of the much-loved horses from previous seasons, as well as to welcome some new stars in the making.

"With the races all recorded by our legendary camera man Ray Hope, the limited daytime audience will be augmented later, by viewers who will have the chance to catch-up digitally on YouTube."

Trotting has a long history in Wales, and anticipation is high with signs of change.

Trotting makes it comeback in Wales at the end of May.

There are a few new venues for race meetings, some long-term fixtures have made changes, including Penybont which, a century on on from their first meeting, have changed from their usual midweek slot to Saturday racing.

Maureen added: "Much has changed in the last two years, but trotting has endured ups and downs before, and has always met the challenge.

"It has been a time of hard work and frustration for the committee, and all involved with the sport. As we emerge from the disappointment of the last year, hopefully it won’t be long before the ethos of Wales & Border Counties, ‘racing for fun’ will deliver another season of traditional entertainment."