Haiti Couleurs Claims Welsh Grand National in Home Victory
Haiti Couleurs won the Welsh Grand National at Chepstow on 27 December 2025, carrying 11st 13lb. The horse was trained by Rebecca Curtis and ridden by Sean Bowen. This victory marked a notable home success for Welsh connections, with Curtis being Welsh and Bowen a Welsh champion jockey.
This is Haiti Couleurs's second National win, having previously won the Irish Grand National at Fairyhouse in April. The horse led from early in the race and maintained a front-running gallop, a style reminiscent of Native River's 2016 front-running Gold Cup performance under heavy weight.
Following the win, bookmakers cut Haiti Couleurs's Grand National odds to 14-1, while a Cheltenham Gold Cup target was floated with odds around 33-1. The victory came after a disappointing Betfair Chase, but Curtis noted the horse had regained top form and delivered a relentless finish.
Two potential Cheltenham Gold Cup contenders have emerged: Haiti Couleurs and The Jukebox Man, who won Friday's King George. Bowen, who had been the King George leader at Kempton but finished second on Banbridge, found compensation in the Welsh victory. Notably, Native River remains the last British-trained horse to win the Cheltenham Gold Cup, achieving that in 2016.
