2018 started with Raz De Maree winning the Coral Welsh Grand National at Chepstown. Trainer Gavin Cromwell says without good feed you have nothing. Eleanor McGillie speaks to the Danestown trainer for our magazine, The Inside Scoop

Gavin Cromwell has had a cracking beginning to the New Year with Raz De Maree, the champion horse fed by Bluegrass Horse Feeds, winning the Coral Welsh Grand National at Chepstow.

Ridden by 16-year-old jockey, James Bowen, Raz de Maree proved he's not the retiring kind and came out of the race in great spirits to then finishing in 10th place at Aintree in the 2018 English Grand National.

Powered by Bluegrass, the gallant 13-year-old, has been described by Cromwell as 'a gentleman of a horse'.

The win at Chepstow placed Raz De Maree as the oldest winner of the race in modern times.

Cromwell, who's facilities are in Danestown, Co Meath, has been feeding his horses with Bluegrass Race Horse Cubes and Bluegrass Hi Performance Mix for over five years now.

He said: "I have 40 horses here at Danestown. I am very happy with the feed we get from Bluegrass Horse Feeds which is supplied to us by Delany Performance Feeds LTD.

"It's important to get the basics right and make sure the horses are being fed to ensure best performance. The feed is everything really. Without good feed you have nothing.

"Our horses are in top form and are in great condition. Raz De Maree proved that at Chepstow and he was in great form after the race. He's a small horse but he's a great horse and, at 13-years-of age, this win means he's the oldest horse in modern times to win this race. That's a great thing to be able to say.

"The horses need the right amount of power to compete so the feed is vital to that performance. So we are really pleased with the feed and look forward to the future."

Raz De Maree has a host of top quality performances to his name. These include a win and a runner-up spot in Welsh Nationals, two wins and a second in the Cork National and a runner-up spot in a Midlands National. Stamina is this horse's forte. Raz De Maree finished eighth four years ago behind Pineau De Re and then was unlucky when unseating his rider last year when trying to avoid a fallen horse.

Speaking after the Welsh Grand National Kenneth Irwin, MD of Bluegrass Horse Feeds, said: "A huge congratulations to Gavin on this brilliant win with Raz De Maree. That congratulations is of course extended to his entire team and all connections involved in his recent winners. 

"We are delighted to supply Bluegrass Race Horse Cubes and Bluegrass Hi Performance Mix to Gavin. We wish Gavin and the team huge success in the future and we look forward to supporting them."

Congratulations to all of Gavin's successes this year so far. 

ENDS:

Bluegrass Horse Feeds is an Irish horse feed producer based at its mill in Eglish in County Tyrone. Bluegrass Horse Feeds, which produces quality and innovative horse feeds, is the Ireland Team Member of Kentucky Equine Research. The Bluegrass Horse Feeds team works closely with owners, riders and trainers using the latest nutritional research and technology to achieve optimum performance from their horses. Bluegrass distributes its feeds the length and breadth of Ireland and has over 200 stockists.  If you need nutritional advice please fill out our diet request form and while you're here find out your nearest stockist.