Link: https://twitter.com/Chepstow_Racing/status/1479177119817216007
“I think there are many special moments in racing, such as winning with other trainers’ ‘cast offs’, meeting such a lovely variety of people who have worked for us, ridden in races for us and been owners for us”
At the end of the month a legend of Welsh racing will retire from the sport after 40 years in the sport and over 430 winners.
Dai Burchell had built a career on taking horses that had fallen out of favour at their previous yard and improving them.
Dai and his wife Ruth have produced winners all over the UK, from the Norfolk National, Chepstow and Cheltenham over the jumps, to Ascot, Epsom, and Windsor on the flat.
Dai’s passion for horse racing started in 1953 when he went to Monmouth Show and watched the pony racing there.
After serving two years in the RAF, he started as a steelworker.
It was during this job and before he got his full licence, Dai bought a horse called Teddy Bear for £60, a horse that won him 15 races.
Burchell gave up his job at the Steelworks to become a full-time trainer.
His first winner under Jockey Club rules was a horse called Commissary, who won five races, four with Burchell in the saddle and earned a place in many other races.
In 1982 Dai earned his full licence that allowed him to train horses for other owners.
Dai married Ruth in 1986 after she joined him in the role of assistant trainer in 1983.
“My favourite horses to train are the ones who do their best for you.” Told Burchell.
“The ones who do their best for you, even if they don’t win, you know they can’t do any more.”
When asked which horse he trained was the best, Dai stated:
“Castle Secret was a real star for us and won 12 races on the flat and over hurdles.”
Castle Secret also produced a few efforts as a runner-up at Aintree, Haydock, and Cheltenham.
“My plans after racing are to enjoy every day as it comes,
“My health has not been the best in recent years, at 85 years of age, I’m lucky to say I’ve survived colon cancer, and as a child was one of the first in Wales to be given penicillin to treat gangrenous appendicitis.”
Dai Burchell has contributed massively to Welsh horse racing in his career and was honoured at Chepstow last Thursday.
Chepstow racecourse paid a fitting tribute to the trainer from Ebbw Vale by running the “Happy Retirement Dai Burchell Novices’ Hurdle” which was won by Fergal O’Brien trained Mahon Point.
Hawkinsport 