HISTORY

There has always been a strong association between Tregaron and Trotting. However, it was the dream of a few Tregaron enthusiasts to establish not just an ordinary race meeting but a meeting that would put Tregaron on the map. A meeting that would strive to give of its best and attract the best. Thus, the Tregaron Trotting Club was first formed in 1980 as 'Deri Llanio Harness Racing Committee', and it was on Deri Llanio fields, near Llanddewi Brefi that the first meeting was held on July 29th1980. By August 1984 the club was creating history. The Cardis, renowned for the reluctance to part with money, where now offering the first £1000 harness race in Wales. The winner on that historic day MOUNTAIN HERO was bred in Tregaron by the committee's first secretary Gareth Lloyd Davies. Sadly, Gareth did not live to see the fruition of the dream of any horse owner - to win Tregaron. It was however fitting that the winner was presented with the Gareth Lloyd Davies Memorial Trophy. This perpetual trophy is now presented to the winner of the Welsh Classic each year, the finest accolade. Thirty years later and the club continues to create history. In 2002 they staged the first three-day harness race meeting in the UK and by 2010 Tregaron Trotting Club offered almost £100,000 in prize money. Such money attracts the best and when they come to Tregaron, they get the best, over the past 30 years we have offered over £1.5 million in prize money. In 2024 we commissioned a book documenting thirty years of the Welsh Classic, written by Gwenan Thomas, it is an excellent history of the festival here in Tregaron. Back in 1984 it was with great foresight that 3 fields were transformed to what is by now universally accepted as the best grass track in the UK. It is with astonishment that many newcomers arrive at Dolyrychain, unable to believe that such a track exists in the middle of the Welsh hills. Indeed, those hills provide the backdrop to one of the most famous arenas in Wales, they encompass the unique atmosphere created and are witness to the finest performances any racegoer would wish to see. The popularity of Tregaron resulted in extensive live TV coverage on the S4C Rasus programme. It is truly the Cheltenham of Harness Racing attracting runners from all over Britain and Ireland,featuring six Group 1 races over the current two-day card. The season at Tregaron kicks off with the Spring Meeting, an early meeting in May, but as it is Tregaron trainers from all parts of the country will make sure that they have some of their stable stars ready to take the early season honours in The Spring Handicap or the 4-year old Senior Welsh Dragon. By the time the August Festival Meeting arrives at the end of August, all horses will be very finely tuned, from the up and coming 2- and 3-year-olds to the rising stars and the public favourite handicap horses, to the mighty giants of the Free For Allers. All aiming to make it to the winners’ enclosure. Winning any race at Tregaron is an achievement and an accolade but winning one of the feature races such as The 2yo Junior Welsh Dragon or Dragoness; The 3yo Little Welsh Dragon or Dragoness; The Electric Mile; The Cors Caron Cup; The Strata Florida or the crowning glory The Welsh Classic, is what dreams are made of. The Club was formed to raise the standard of Harness Racing in Wales. Without doubt its aim has been long fulfilled, as it has become a pinnacle of Harness Racing in the UK.