BANGOR-ON-DEE ‘GRADUATE’ HAITI COULEURS STORMS TO GRADE 1 GLORY

One of the most exciting horses to emerge from Bangor-on-Dee Racecourse in recent years has continued his remarkable rise through the racing ranks, with Haiti Couleurs securing a first Grade 1 victory.

The Welsh star has come a long way since appearing at Bangor-on-Dee in the early stages of his career, having won a Novices’ Hurdle at the North Wales racecourse in April 2024.

That victory proved to be an early indication of what was to come.

Since then, Haiti Couleurs has established himself as one of the standout names in Welsh racing, progressing from his Bangor success to win the Welsh Grand National in December 2025 before now reaching the highest level with a breakthrough Grade 1 success.

For Bangor-on-Dee, his rise is the latest example of the racecourse’s remarkable record for spotting future stars early, with success at Bangor often proving a sign of much bigger things to come.

The track has an impressive history of welcoming future stars. Cheltenham Gold Cup winners Mr Mulligan and Denman both won at Bangor before achieving success at the highest level, while future Grand National winners Amberleigh House, Comply Or Die and Ballabriggs also recorded victories at the course earlier in their careers.

More recently, Iwilldoit and Val Dancer both won at Bangor before subsequently landing the Welsh Grand National, while Silviniaco Conti won a Novices’ Hurdle at the course in 2010 before going on to claim seven Grade 1 victories over fences.

Now, Haiti Couleurs can firmly be added to that roll call.

Patrick Chesters, Racing Director at Bangor-on-Dee Racecourse, said: “It’s fantastic to see Haiti Couleurs continuing to achieve at the very highest level.

“We’re incredibly proud that Bangor-on-Dee played a part in the early stages of his career. One of the great things about racing here is that you never quite know when you might be watching a future star, and Haiti Couleurs is another brilliant example of that.

“To see a horse who won here as a novice go on to win the Welsh Grand National and now at Grade 1 level is something everyone associated with Bangor-on-Dee can take real pride in.”

From a Novices’ Hurdle victory in North Wales to success at the highest level, Haiti Couleurs has certainly graduated from Bangor-on-Dee in style.