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Daily Mirror
6 days ago
- Health
- Daily Mirror
Top trainer's daughter, 8, rings bell after finishing treatment in lengthy cancer fight
Betsy Williams, the daughter of Christian Williams has finally rung the bell on two and a half years of chemotherapy after being diagnosed with leukaemia Top racehorse trainer Christian Williams and partner Charlotte Smith are celebrating helping the most precious member of their stable across the finish line. And they're marking it by taking off on their first family holiday in two and a half years. In April 2023 Christian made headlines when star jumper Kitty's Light won the Scottish Grand National and bet365 Gold Cup within the space of seven days. Yet behind the scenes there was a much more important race to be won as a month earlier, he and Charlotte were told their youngest daughter Betsy, then five, had acute lymphoblastic leukaemia, a rare but aggressive type of blood cancer. The diagnosis emerged after Betsy developed an ear infection. At first her declining health was put down to a virus until, on her third GP visit, she was sent to hospital - where blood tests confirmed her parents' worst fears. Over a gruelling 27 months, Betsy underwent a bone marrow biopsy, blood transfusions and then started cycles of chemotherapy involving lumbar punctures and steroids, until this month when the now eight-year-old reached a significant landmark when she rang the bell on the Rainbow Ward at Noah's Ark Children's Hospital in Cardiff to signal the end of her treatment. 'We were given the date she would finish right at the start, and we'd been working to May 13 2025, provided there were no complications,' says NHS physio Charlotte, 40. 'She finished on that day and we were so excited. But then two days later she got Covid. It was probably the most poorly she had ever been in the whole two years. 'It was absolutely terrifying. She was in hospital for two weeks, really, really ill. They were convinced there was something else going on. They were running all these tests and scans. I thought she had relapsed already. 'And they came back and said, 'Charlotte, we've looked at everything and everything is negative, apart from this positive Covid swab.' It wasn't the plan we had for the end of the treatment but she is doing really well now, thank goodness.' Throughout this period, against the odds, Christian managed to keep the winners flowing from his yard at Ogmore-by-Sea on the Glamorgan coast. None was more vital than the success of Kitty's Light at Ayr. 'Betsy was having a particularly tough day but I turned on the TV as I thought it would cheer her up to see her Daddy on TV,' recalls Charlotte. 'To our delight he won. It completely changed our perspective and gave us hope.' Williams, 42, says: 'We've been lucky as when Betsy was ill and the family were down, we have managed to get a winner somewhere and not all families can look forward to days like that. 'We've just been in survival mode this whole time. Everyone pulled up their sleeves. I'm not sure how we've managed, really.' He adds: 'The drugs take your daughter away from you so now she is coming off the chemo and the steroids we are slowly getting her back.' Charlotte reflects: 'Christian has been unbelievable. I was fortunate to have sick pay and could take time off work to give my full attention to Betsy and our other daughter Tilly. 'Christian didn't have that option. He had 10 members of staff who relied on their wages, the owners relied on us, too. 'I couldn't tie my own shoe laces for the first couple of weeks, whereas Christian would be getting up every day, making sure he was with us in hospital, running a stable, liaising with owners and going racing. I don't know how he did it, to be honest. 'He has managed to sustain that, be a support to us and, not just keep the business going, but been really successful, too.' Betsy has won admiration as well for the way she has dealt with serious illness so early in her life. 'The whole time she has never wanted to be seen as ill, never wanted to be different to anybody else,' says Charlotte. On her sixth birthday, when friends organised a parkrun, Betsy insisted on running the whole 2km course. She had already started chemotherapy. 'How she acted then was the way she acted through the whole two years,' Charlotte adds. 'She still wanted to run, still wanted to go to school, still wanted to do dance. She never used her illness as an excuse not to do things.' There are still challenges ahead but Charlotte says: 'We've rung the bell and are ecstatic that that phase of our life is over. It may take a while for us to transition from that but Betsy is living her normal life.' As a treat the family have taken a rare holiday to Dubai. 'We are going for nine days and we can't wait,' she says. 'Just the four of us. No phones, no work and just enjoy each other. 'We are looking forward to living, making new memories and hopefully this is all going to be a distant memory to Betsy.'
Scottish Sun
10-06-2025
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
My ‘one-of-a-kind' jockey dad died in a fall just days before I was born – now I'm riding winners for Willie Mullins
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A JOCKEY whose dad died in a tragic fall just days before he was born is rocketing up the ranks - banging in winners for Willie Mullins. Sean Cleary-Farrell has three winners from just four rides for the all-conquering Irish trainer this year. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 Willie Mullins knows top talent when he sees it - and has started giving Sean Cleary-Farrell a load more rides Credit: Sportsfile 2 Sean Cleary-Farrell's late dad, Sean Cleary, who was described as a 'one-of-a-kind' talent, tragically died in a race fall in 2003 Credit: Sportsfile He notched his first career double aboard Mullins' odds-on hotshots Spanish Harlem and Keep Up at Punchestown on Sunday. Mullins' right-hand man David Casey was full of praise for Cleary-Farrell after. And he hinted he could get the leg up in some big-money races aboard Spanish Harlem - who was fourth in the bet365 Gold Cup - when the new season gets going properly. He said: "Sean is in Willie's full-time and is a good rider and works hard. "He took a couple weeks off and rode a winner on the Flat in France. "These days are for lads like him. He's getting his chance and he's taking it with both hands. "Sean gave Spanish Harlem a good ride and he kept galloping well. "I'd say nicer ground suits him and obviously those extended trips. He ran a real good race at Sandown. "I'd say he'll be looking at races like the Kerry National and Munster National." Cleary-Farrell's rapid success is doubly impressive given the heartbreaking circumstances surrounding his father's death aged just 22. Sean Cleary was one of Ireland's 'leading young riders' and described as a 'one-of-a-kind' talent when he was killed in a race at Galway in October 2003. Tragically, Sean Jnr was born just two months after his father passed as a result of severe head injuries suffered in the spill. Describing his father, Cleary-Farrell said on The Irish Field: "My late father Sean died tragically following a fall at Galway, a couple of months before I was born. "Unfortunately, there are very few videos or DVDs of his rides but photos of his winners still adorn the walls of my grandparents' house. "Growing up I was always aware of who he was and what an accomplished jockey he had been during his short career." Mullins took Cleary-Farrell under his wing at Closutton and the conditional jockey says he loves it there. The Irish handler has also started giving more rides to the hugely promising Anna McGuinness, who had another winner under the Mullins banner last weekend. Given the superstars they ride out at Mullins' HQ every day, it's no surprise they're finding it relatively easy work on the racecourse proper. Speaking after his latest win, Cleary-Farrell said: "I can't describe how I feel, it will take me a while to come down off this cloud. "A big thank you to Willie for giving me the opportunity to ride these horses, he's looking after me." Sounds like they'll be looking out for each other in the winner's enclosure for many months, and hopefully years, to come. FREE BETS - GET THE BEST SIGN UP DEALS AND RACING OFFERS Commercial content notice: Taking one of the offers featured in this article may result in a payment to The Sun. You should be aware brands pay fees to appear in the highest placements on the page. 18+. T&Cs apply. Remember to gamble responsibly A responsible gambler is someone who: Establishes time and monetary limits before playing Only gambles with money they can afford to lose Never chases their losses Doesn't gamble if they're upset, angry or depressed Gamcare – Gamble Aware – Find our detailed guide on responsible gambling practices here.
Daily Mirror
06-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Sean Bowen's family make big change at stable where new champion jockey grew up
Sean Bowen has been compared to 20-time champion AP McCoy for his power-packed rides on the track. Now his brother Mickey wants a piece of the action as he takes over the family's training licence Sean Bowen's family have made a key change to the way their stable is run after celebrating his huge career milestone. The 27-year-old was crowned champion jockey of 2024-5 with a haul of 180 winners from 902 rides at UK racecourses. He rounded off his achievement by taking the Irish Grand National on Haiti Couleurs and bet365 Gold Cup riding Resplendent Grey in the final week of the season. Between the big races at Fairyhouse and Sandown, Bowen showed no signs of slowing down with a 50-1 Perth four-timer. His father Peter and elder brother Mickey played a part by successfully preparing Fairlawn Flyer for the Highland National. It was the culmination of a campaign which saw the pair combine on the licence at the family's yard in Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire, for the first time. But from today, Peter lets his son take the reins with seven runners at Fakenham, Ffos Las and Worcester in his own name. "Mickey is taking over and it'll be nice for him to have a shot at it," said Peter, whose record-setting three-time Aintree Topham Chase hero Always Waining is going strong in retirement. "It's something I have been thinking about for some time. I have trained for 30 years and we've had some great days at Aintree which is my favourite track. "My wife Karen has put as much into it as I have and the boys have done so well. All of us had a great season and it was amazing to see Sean take the title after he just missed out the previous year. That made it all the sweeter." Bowen senior started off with point-to-point horses before he discovered the likes of 2005 Cheltenham Gold Cup second Take The Stand and Mckelvey, who secured the same position in the Grand National two years later. Father and son were in unison during the most recent jump season when their family business made its greatest gains for six years. A new era begins this afternoon when Mickey, 30, starts off with Kate Madrik in the 2.45 race at Fakenham. "Dad has trained over 1,000 winners and probably doesn't get the credit he deserves," he said. "We've shared our best season for a while and hopefully we have a few chances to start off with a winner." The stable rings the changes just days after Mickey's younger brother James bagged the Grade One Ballymore Champion Four Year Old Hurdle on Lulamba at the Punchestown Festival, a meeting where Sean was also among the winners. "It has been a brilliant week," said Mickey, who spent six months working with back-to-back British training champion Willie Mullins.
Irish Independent
01-05-2025
- Sport
- Irish Independent
Punchestown Day 3: Teahupoo goes back-to-back for Gordon Elliott with defence of Champion Stayers Hurdle
Gordon Elliott's charge returned to County Kildare off the back of successive defeats this season, including when bidding for back-to-back wins in the Stayers' Hurdle at Cheltenham in March. The eight-year-old filled the runner-up spot in the Cotswolds, having previously found star mare Lossiemouth too strong in the Hatton's Grace at Fairyhouse, and was a 5-4 favourite to get himself back in the winner's circle under Sam Ewing. After being settled in midfield for the majority of the three-mile journey, Teahupoo travelled strongly before being nudged to lead rounding the home turn and the further he went the better he looked, with four and a quarter lengths the margin over Asterion Forlonge. Elliott said: 'This horse has got me out of trouble a few times and he's done it again. He's a star of a horse. 'I was panicking turning in to be honest. If we had a couple of winners, I'd have had my chest out. 'He's so laid-back at home and you nearly start questioning yourself 'is he a bit heavy going around the ring'. 'Sam gave him a no-nonsense ride and kept it very straightforward. I'm very lucky to have the riders I have, the staff I have and the owners. 'I was dreaming last night if Teahupoo could win today and Meath could win the Leinster final it would finish off what has been a rough season to be a great season.' Earlier, Britain's newly-crowned champion jockey Sean Bowen was at his brilliant best as he steered Putapoundinthejar to victory in the opening race on day three of the Festival. Taking to the saddle for the first time sine celebrating his title triumph with a big-race success aboard Resplendent Grey in Saturday's bet365 Gold Cup at Sandown, the 27-year-old produced another power-packed ride on Tony Martin's 17-2 shot in the Specialist Group Handicap Hurdle. Battle Of Ridgeway (50-1) was clear of the chasing pack on the run to the final flight, but Bowen conjured a late charge out of Putapoundinthejar, who got up to score by half a length. Bowen, who since Saturday has enjoyed his stag party in Tenerife, said: 'He did well to win as he didn't jump well at all. He got into a rhythm from halfway and did well to pick up the leader. 'I had a good clear run down to the last. He winged the last and picked up well from the back of it. 'It's good ground and he enjoyed that. He will have learned loads today.' Sean's brother James Bowen got his name on the winner's board after Jeriko Du Reponet (13-2 joint-favourite) led home a one-two for Nicky Henderson in the Conway Piling Handicap Hurdle. Doddiethegreat beat Jeriko Du Reponet in the Pertemps Final at the Cheltenham Festival and the Seven Barrows pair again came to the fore, but this time it was the latter who came out on top to give his rider a timely boost ahead of partnering Constitution Hill in Friday's Champion Hurdle. Henderson said: 'I felt sorry for one horse at Cheltenham and I now I feel sorry for the other one! There was no alternative route other than to come here and take each other on again. 'You've got to be delighted with both of them – two divisions would have helped! 'It all went wrong for Jeriko at the start of the season when he was meant to go chasing and we thought he was going to be the star. It all went wrong at Sandown on his first start, it was terrible and we had to come back over hurdles. 'The Pertemps became the objective, he didn't quite win that but he's got his consolation and we must go back over fences next year and get the job done properly.' There was further success for the raiding party in the Frontline Security Handicap Chase, with 16-1 shot Petit Tonnerre finishing with a flourish under Richie McLernon to strike gold for the father-son training partnership of Jonjo and AJ O'Neill. The latter said: 'We were hitting the crossbar earlier in the week but Richie gave that lad a really lovely ride, very patient, and it was lovely to see it coming off for all the team. 'JP (McManus, owner) is a massive supporter of the game and a massive supporter of ours, so it's amazing to have a winner on a day like today.' Joseph O'Brien and J J Slevin teamed up to land the Mongey Communications La Touche Cup Cross Country Chase with 7-1 shot Busselton. 'It's a special race, historic. It was really exciting for us as it was our first runner in it and even to have a horse for the banks this year was special,' said O'Brien. 'J J has done a great job schooling this horse and gave him a fantastic ride today. He's won under all codes and hopefully will win again.' O'Brien and Slevin completed a surprise double in the Close Brothers Irish EBF Mares Novice Hurdle, with Cottesloe Sunshine (33-1) beating the Cheltenham Festival runner-up and 8-13 favourite Sixandahalf into third place. O'Brien added: 'It was a great ride by J J and a very tough filly. She jumped well today and I'm delighted for Nick (Fahy, owner) and his family who are here today. 'We were coming here fresh and a lot of the competitors had been to all the Festivals over the last few months. I'd be lying if I said I expected her to win but we thought we might run well.' Finally, Majborough bounced back from his Cheltenham Festival defeat with a facile victory in the Barberstown Castle Novice Chase. Last season's Triumph Hurdle hero had looked every inch a top-class chaser in the making after winning his first two starts over the larger obstacles, but a juddering error two fences from home ultimately led to him suffering a surprise reverse in the Arkle at Prestbury Park in mid-March. The Willie Mullins-trained five-year-old was sent off at 4-11 to reward those who kept the faith back on home soil and while he pulled his way to the front on the second circuit and raced keenly throughout under Mark Walsh, he stamped his class from the home turn, pulling 14 lengths clear of the Arkle runner-up Only By Night. Mullins, saddling his 200th winner of the season in Ireland, said "He jumped today like we know he can jump. For some reason things didn't go right for him in Cheltenham, but he's redeemed himself today. "He's a huge, big horse but he's very light framed and is an athlete every time you look at him. Looking at him in the parade ring today, there wasn't one ounce of spare flesh on him, and I couldn't have galloped him one more time. "He's only five and hopefully he'll mature this summer. I'm looking forward to what he could mature into over the next 18 months or two years.
Daily Mirror
26-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
AP McCoy hails successor Sean Bowen as he makes perfect start to stag do with huge win
Trainer Olly Murphy showed his emotions on ITV Racing as Bowen - set to go to Tenerife ahead of his wedding to Harriet Matthews - won the bet365 Gold Cup on 9-2 chance Resplendent Grey Sean Bowen was paid the ultimate compliment by the sporting star he followed to become champion jockey. The new top rider of National Hunt racing was lavished with praise by Sir AP McCoy after winning the bet365 Gold Cup on 9-2 chance Resplendent Grey. On the day he was crowned champion jockey, Bowen delivered the Olly Murphy-trained chaser with a perfect run to land the £175,000 feature race at Sandown Park. It was a final big win of 2024-25 for the Welshman, who heads off on his stag do in Tenerife on Sunday before his wedding to Harriet Matthews. And Bowen was sent on his way by all-time great McCoy, who took the championship on 20 occasions, hailing him as a "top class jockey." Reviewing Bowen's ride on ITV Racing, he said "You need to get horses to believe in you, to want to do it for you and give their all - that's what he is good at. Good at getting inside their heads. "He convinces them all the way through. You see from the second last to the last and from the last to the winning post, he always looked like he was getting there. "It was an all out ride but it was confident as well. He's a top class jockey, he won an Irish National last week. It is hard to get on good horses if you are not riding for Willie Mullins, Paul Nicholls and Nicky Henderson. What a way to end the season." Bowen will have to celebrate abroad without his best man and brother James, a super sub for Nico de Boinville on Constitution Hill at the Punchestown Festival next week or Harry Cobden, who joins him on the plane. But Murphy, who kept Resplendent Grey in top form all season, might be tempted to join the party in the Canary Islands on the back of a career best for his stable with 140 winners and £1.6million in prize money. "I've been a very small cog in Sean's wheel," he said. "He has been a massive part of Warren Chase. It's brilliant. "I'm always an emotional man when I have big winners. There is a big team behind us both. This is absolutely magic." Resplendent Grey travelled sweetly in first-time cheekpieces and collared Rachael Blackmore-ridden and Willie Mullins-trained Lombron after the final fence. "Honestly the best two weeks of my life," said Bowen. "I hope it carries on forever." Mullins - who saw off determined rival Dan Skelton to retain the trainers' championship - also saddled third High Class Hero (10-3 favourite), fourth Spanish Harlem (22-1) and fifth-placed Grangeclare West (14-1).
