Grand National-winning trainer to stand trial after ‘bust-up at stables’ | Racing | Sport

Horse racing trainer Evan Williams is set to stand trial after being accused of attacking a man at his stables. The 54-year-old guided The Secret Reprieve to Welsh Grand National success in 2020 and had horses placed at five consecutive Grand Nationals between 2009 and 2013.

Williams has had over 1,200 career winners and has pocketed more than £3million in prize money over the last five years. His training facility, Evan Williams Racing, is based in the Vale of Glamorgan and includes a 4.5 furlong all weather gallop, a circular sand gallop and a carpet schooling strip. His most recent win came at Taunton a fortnight ago as Luna Run took the honours.

Williams appeared at Cardiff Crown Court on Tuesday after allegedly assaulting Martin Dandridge during a bust-up at his stables last December.

He was accused of “unlawfully and maliciously causing grievous bodily harm” to the man.

The trainer pleaded not guilty to two charges of causing grievous bodily harm with intent and inflicting grievous bodily harm. And his lawyers dispute that injuries to Mr Dandridge were caused on the night in question, despite the fact they accept that the man had fallen.

Tracey Lloyd-Clarke, who is the Recorder of the Cardiff court, set a trial date for March 3, 2026, with Williams being released on bail on the condition he doesn’t contact the alleged victim.

Williams includes the names of some of his biggest winners on his website, with the list detailing victories for horses such as Barizan, Bold Plan and Cappa Bleu.

And a separate section of the website reads: “Here at Evan Williams Racing based in the heart of the Vale of Glamorgan you and your horse will benefit from excellent training facilities as well as a friendly and dedicated team that season after season supply a steady flow of winners at all levels.

“We pride ourselves on running a highly professional operation where all our horses and owners are very well looked after.”

Williams spoke about his early days as a horse racing trainer during an interview with Over the Stable Door four years ago as he stated: “I was very much a farmer-point-to-point rider [before becoming a trainer] – very agricultural.”

He explained: “I started training pointers and decided to have a license when all pointing stopped due to foot and mouth.”

And he added: “I’ve always been a lover of animals. As a farmer I loved cows and now, as a trainer, I love dealing with the horses.”