A MULTI-MILLIONAIRE horse owner who survived a life-threatening helicopter crash made his triumphant return to racing – and instantly won big.
Welsh businessman Dai Walters and top trainer Sam Thomas cheated death when the chopper they were in crashed in dense woodland in November 2022.
Walters, a self-made plant hire and construction magnate, was pulled out of the wreckage by Thomas and rushed to intensive care.
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A gruelling rehab followed – not easy for someone nearing their 80th birthday – but last weekend he looked full of life celebrating a big success at Ffos Las racecourse in south west Wales.
Walters was there in person to see his horses finish 1-2 in the Welsh Champion Hurdle.
Winner Lump Sum had been saved for the race for some time and ran out a comfortable winner from Walters’ other horse, Steel Ally.
Lump Sum had been absolutely obliterated in the betting, winning at 11-10 having been available at 9-2.
Dylan Johnston, a 5lb claimer who rides all of Walters’ horses, did the steering while Sam Twiston-Davies was on Steel Ally.
The first-place prize was worth £26,015 while second bagged Walters a further £11,960 – small fry for a multi-millionaire but still a decent haul of £37,975.
But the wins were extra sweet for Walters – as it was he who turned the former mining site into a racecourse.
Winning trainer Thomas said afterwards: “Mr Walters has a huge association with this place having built it.
“They’re both very nice horses but this was the plan since the back end of last season.
“Lump Sum is a fair horse. Dylan got there far too soon but he has a huge turn of foot and it would be lovely to think he can keep progressing and be a top class two-miler.
“He’s a cool dude, by a mega stallion in Authorized, and he’d be a horse to run on the Flat as well.
“There’s lots to look forward to!”
Thomas previously spoke of the harrowing effects their helicopter crash had.
Miraculously, none of the five on board were fatally hurt after the ‘copter came down just minutes after taking off near Denbighshire.
There was reported to be a ‘huge rescue response’ launched at Llanelidan, near Ruthin.
Thomas said: “It’s been tough for him and the family, but he’s at home recovering now and everything is certainly going the right way.
“He enjoys his racing and seeing the horses running and it gives me more of an incentive to try to do well with the horses at home.”
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