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Daily Mirror
06-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Sean Bowen's family make big change at stable where new champion jockey grew up
Sean Bowen has been compared to 20-time champion AP McCoy for his power-packed rides on the track. Now his brother Mickey wants a piece of the action as he takes over the family's training licence Sean Bowen's family have made a key change to the way their stable is run after celebrating his huge career milestone. The 27-year-old was crowned champion jockey of 2024-5 with a haul of 180 winners from 902 rides at UK racecourses. He rounded off his achievement by taking the Irish Grand National on Haiti Couleurs and bet365 Gold Cup riding Resplendent Grey in the final week of the season. Between the big races at Fairyhouse and Sandown, Bowen showed no signs of slowing down with a 50-1 Perth four-timer. His father Peter and elder brother Mickey played a part by successfully preparing Fairlawn Flyer for the Highland National. It was the culmination of a campaign which saw the pair combine on the licence at the family's yard in Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire, for the first time. But from today, Peter lets his son take the reins with seven runners at Fakenham, Ffos Las and Worcester in his own name. "Mickey is taking over and it'll be nice for him to have a shot at it," said Peter, whose record-setting three-time Aintree Topham Chase hero Always Waining is going strong in retirement. "It's something I have been thinking about for some time. I have trained for 30 years and we've had some great days at Aintree which is my favourite track. "My wife Karen has put as much into it as I have and the boys have done so well. All of us had a great season and it was amazing to see Sean take the title after he just missed out the previous year. That made it all the sweeter." Bowen senior started off with point-to-point horses before he discovered the likes of 2005 Cheltenham Gold Cup second Take The Stand and Mckelvey, who secured the same position in the Grand National two years later. Father and son were in unison during the most recent jump season when their family business made its greatest gains for six years. A new era begins this afternoon when Mickey, 30, starts off with Kate Madrik in the 2.45 race at Fakenham. "Dad has trained over 1,000 winners and probably doesn't get the credit he deserves," he said. "We've shared our best season for a while and hopefully we have a few chances to start off with a winner." The stable rings the changes just days after Mickey's younger brother James bagged the Grade One Ballymore Champion Four Year Old Hurdle on Lulamba at the Punchestown Festival, a meeting where Sean was also among the winners. "It has been a brilliant week," said Mickey, who spent six months working with back-to-back British training champion Willie Mullins.
Pembrokeshire Herald
28-04-2025
- Sport
- Pembrokeshire Herald
Sean Bowen achieves lifelong ambition with Champion Jockey title
SEAN BOWEN has realised his boyhood dream after being crowned Champion Jockey, rounding off a remarkable season of dedication, success and resilience. The 27-year-old from Pembrokeshire clocked up an astonishing 75,000 miles over the season, with 902 rides and 180 winners to his name — a journey that ended with him making history as the first Welsh champion since Fred Winter in 1958. Earlier this year, Bowen reached 1,000 career wins, but his sights were firmly set on claiming the championship crown. 'Reaching 1,000 wins was an incredible milestone, something not many jockeys get to experience,' Bowen said. 'But becoming Champion Jockey has been my real dream for the last few years. I gave it everything after missing out last year.' Bowen's previous attempt at the title ended in heartbreak after a Boxing Day knee injury derailed his campaign while he was leading. This season, he was determined not to let history repeat itself. 'I knew I had to start fast and keep the pressure on,' he said. 'Harry Skelton pushed me hard around Christmas, but I managed to rebuild the lead. It's been relentless, but every mile, every ride, was worth it for this.' The physical and mental demands of the season were immense, but Bowen remained focused. 'It's tough, not having a day off, always chasing rides. I've kept myself fit, but it takes just as much strength mentally. I hate the idea of someone else winning on a horse I should have been riding — that keeps me moving, even if it means driving across the country in a day,' he said. Family at the heart of success Bowen paid tribute to his parents, Peter and Karen Bowen, both respected trainers, who supported his career from the very beginning. 'Mum and Dad sacrificed so much, driving thousands of miles just so we could race ponies. Seeing how hard they worked made me want to work just as hard,' he said. He also praised his partner, Harriet, for standing by him through the challenges of the racing calendar. 'Harriet has been amazing. I barely see her during the season. We're getting married in July, and I can't wait for some proper time together on our honeymoon.' Finishing on a high Bowen's final week of the season couldn't have been scripted better. He rode a remarkable five winners at Ffos Las — his home track — a career first that left him 'over the moon.' 'That five-timer was something special — in front of my family and the Welsh crowd too. It's a day I'll remember forever,' he said. He followed it up by winning the Irish Grand National aboard Haiti Couleurs, trained by Rebecca Curtis — another proud moment for Welsh racing. 'Winning the Irish Grand National was the biggest moment of my career,' Bowen said. 'To win for a Welsh trainer and beat the Irish on their turf made it even sweeter.' To put the icing on the cake, he capped off the season with victory in the Bet365 Gold Cup at Sandown, riding Resplendent Grey for trainer Olly Murphy. From childhood dreams to standing at the top of the sport, Sean Bowen's journey has come full circle — and he is not done yet.
Yahoo
27-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
'I've fulfilled a childhood dream'
75,000 miles. 902 rides. 180 wins. Champion Jockey. Sean Bowen has fulfilled his childhood dream. After hitting 1,000 wins in February, the 27-year-old had already set his next goal - to become champion. "It was obviously very exciting to hit the 1,000 wins. I'm very lucky. A lot of people don't get to hit the 1,000 winners in their career, so to get there was amazing," he said. "For the last two or three years now this has been the goal. I really wanted it last year, and it didn't happen, this year has gone amazingly well and thankfully we got there. "I've fulfilled a childhood dream. When I was racing the ponies up the gallops with my brothers I was pretending to be Sir AP McCoy, Brian Hughes or Richard Johnson - legends of the game." Bowen missed out on last year's title after suffering a knee injury on Boxing Day when leading the Championship. "I wasn't going to let it happen twice, I couldn't let the Championship slip again," he said. "It was just a matter of starting this season off as fast as we possibly could and I managed to build up a good lead in the summer. Harry Skelton was fighting through Christmas but I built that lead back up again. "The travelling is crazy. My car will have clocked up 75,000 miles in the season. I very rarely get to go home much so, it's difficult, but it is all well worth it when you're crowned Champion Jockey. "It's hard work mentally and physically, I've kept the body in good shape this season. Mentally, it can be hard work, never having a day off, and just keeping going every day. "I can't stand seeing somebody else win on a horse that I should have been on, that's why I'll travel up and down the country in one day for a ride if I have to." Sean's parents, Peter and Karen Bowen, have been training racehorses since he was a child. "Mum and dad from day one have given me wonderful support," he explained. "You see how hard they work. They live down in Pembrokeshire, and they would drive all the way to Ayr or Perth just for us to win a pony race. "So if you see that, if you see them doing that for you, then I suppose that's probably what's given us the drive in us to want to do more, and don't mind getting in the car and driving wherever you need to go. "My partner Harriet puts up with a lot, because I see her very rarely, we're getting married in July and then we have our honeymoon, we're really looking forward to that break together." The Welshman has finished the season in fine style, starting with a five-timer at his home track, Ffos Las. "It was actually my first ever five-timer. I've managed a few four-timers, but never a five-timer. It was a magic day - it was in front of family and the Welsh crowd who were brilliant, that was a day I'll never forget," he added. The Welshman followed up that success with an Irish Grand National victory aboard the Rebecca Curtis-trained Haiti Couleurs. "It's the biggest win of my career, to go over there and beat the Irish was obviously brilliant, and to do it for Rebecca, who's a Welsh trainer, was so good, it was an incredible day," said Bowen. Latest horse racing results
The Herald Scotland
25-04-2025
- Sport
- The Herald Scotland
Skelton fears title chances may go up in Smoke
However, the Lodge Hill team are hopeful the decision to skip the Scottish Grand National will pay dividend as they bid to keep trainers' title dreams alive in a race that could prove crucial. A big success for the Skeltons with Hoe Joly Smoke! 🥇 How many winners will the Skeltons have this week at Cheltenham? 🏆#ITVRacing — ITV Racing (@itvracing) March 9, 2025 'We never entered him in the Scottish National, rightly or wrongly, because I always felt this was the right race for him. We didn't expect Grangeclare West to turn up, but that's happened because of circumstances and we're 12lb wrong before we start,' said Skelton. 'We've got to give it a go. I feel a bit sorry for Harry, who has got to do 10st 2lb, which is not exactly a walk in the park, but he'd do 9st 2lb at the moment for me – I know how much support I've got from him and I know how much he wants it. 'We've got a nice chance, but the data shows it's going to be 12lb difficult before we start.' Skelton will also be cheering on fellow British trainers Olly Murphy and Emma Lavelle, who saddle the tough Resplendent Grey and in-form King's Threshold respectively seeking their own slice of the prize-fund, with the value of the former's National Hunt Chase fourth to Haiti Couleurs given a significant boost recently. Resplendent Grey has been a smart performer for Olly Murphy this season (John Walton/PA) Murphy said: 'He ran well in Cheltenham. He didn't go round very well but he came home strong. We'll ride him a little bit differently. 'He's got first-time cheekpieces and hopefully they will help him, he's got a lovely weight on his back and if he gets into a rhythm, he's got an each-way chance.' Sean Bowen will pick up his first title on the day but had to get off Haiti Couleurs at Cheltenham to ride Resplendent Grey and still awaits a first Festival winner. He did, though, win the Irish National on Rebecca Curtis' charge on Monday. Murphy added: 'It would be great if Sean could wrap up the season by winning this. He's been freshened up and we're looking forward to running him.' Neil Mulholland's Transmission was a place behind Resplendent Grey at Cheltenham, while Skelton's old boss Paul Nicholls runs Threeunderthrufive. However, it is hard to ignore the aces Mullins has up his sleeve and as well as the aforementioned Grangeclare West, he will saddle the likes of defending champion Minella Cocooner and High Class Hero, who is the trainer's idea of the stable first string. Mullins said: 'Paul rides High Class Hero and he's one who is going to be high on the list, if not right at the top. High Class Hero leads the Willie Mullins team (Brian Lawless/PA) 'We switched from the Irish National to this late, we had a lot of rain in Fairyhouse and we just felt a drier track would suit him. 'Grangeclare West and Minella Cocooner both ran well in the National and must have their chances.' There is also a Grade One winner amongst the Closutton team in Dancing City, while Mullins fancies O'Moore Park to go close having knocked on the door at Cheltenham the last twice. 'Dancing City fell at Aintree but on his form before that you'd think he would have a really good chance and I think he's a good enough jumper, maybe we just concentrate on getting him around, then see,' said Mullins. 'O'Moore Park is due a big race and has been improving all season, whether that win is this or next season, I don't know.' Klarc Kent in action in the Scottish grand National (Jane Barlow/PA) Others on the Mullins teamsheet include Olympic Man, Lombron, Klarc Kent, Spanish Harlem and Chosen Witness, with the reigning champion trainer not ruling any out of contention. He said: 'Olympic Man was running a great race for Patrick in Ayr and will be ridden by Johnny Burke. He will be wearing a hood for the first time as he just raced with the choke out a little bit at Ayr and he won't be without a chance. 'Klarc Kent ran a cracker when second in the Scottish National, but even with Kieran Callaghan claiming 5lb, he's still going to be out the handicap. 'Spanish Harlem I think will like this nice ground and he's not out of it and the same applies to Chosen Witness. 'They are two horses I haven't really run before on this type of ground, but I think it's time they did and we take a punt on the ground. They are two big, chasing types that I had been keeping to ground with soft in, but at this stage of the game it's time to let them take their chance.'
Rhyl Journal
25-04-2025
- Sport
- Rhyl Journal
Skelton fears title chances may go up in Smoke
The Closutton handler is responsible for half of the 20-strong field and with Grand National third Grangeclare West topping the weights, it means Skelton's course winner will have to race from out of the handicap and with the trainer's brother Harry Skelton at his near minimum weight to ride. However, the Lodge Hill team are hopeful the decision to skip the Scottish Grand National will pay dividend as they bid to keep trainers' title dreams alive in a race that could prove crucial. A big success for the Skeltons with Hoe Joly Smoke! 🥇 How many winners will the Skeltons have this week at Cheltenham? 🏆#ITVRacing — ITV Racing (@itvracing) March 9, 2025 'We never entered him in the Scottish National, rightly or wrongly, because I always felt this was the right race for him. We didn't expect Grangeclare West to turn up, but that's happened because of circumstances and we're 12lb wrong before we start,' said Skelton. 'We've got to give it a go. I feel a bit sorry for Harry, who has got to do 10st 2lb, which is not exactly a walk in the park, but he'd do 9st 2lb at the moment for me – I know how much support I've got from him and I know how much he wants it. 'We've got a nice chance, but the data shows it's going to be 12lb difficult before we start.' Skelton will also be cheering on fellow British trainers Olly Murphy and Emma Lavelle, who saddle the tough Resplendent Grey and in-form King's Threshold respectively seeking their own slice of the prize-fund, with the value of the former's National Hunt Chase fourth to Haiti Couleurs given a significant boost recently. Murphy said: 'He ran well in Cheltenham. He didn't go round very well but he came home strong. We'll ride him a little bit differently. 'He's got first-time cheekpieces and hopefully they will help him, he's got a lovely weight on his back and if he gets into a rhythm, he's got an each-way chance.' Sean Bowen will pick up his first title on the day but had to get off Haiti Couleurs at Cheltenham to ride Resplendent Grey and still awaits a first Festival winner. He did, though, win the Irish National on Rebecca Curtis' charge on Monday. Murphy added: 'It would be great if Sean could wrap up the season by winning this. He's been freshened up and we're looking forward to running him.' Neil Mulholland's Transmission was a place behind Resplendent Grey at Cheltenham, while Skelton's old boss Paul Nicholls runs Threeunderthrufive. However, it is hard to ignore the aces Mullins has up his sleeve and as well as the aforementioned Grangeclare West, he will saddle the likes of defending champion Minella Cocooner and High Class Hero, who is the trainer's idea of the stable first string. Mullins said: 'Paul rides High Class Hero and he's one who is going to be high on the list, if not right at the top. 'We switched from the Irish National to this late, we had a lot of rain in Fairyhouse and we just felt a drier track would suit him. 'Grangeclare West and Minella Cocooner both ran well in the National and must have their chances.' There is also a Grade One winner amongst the Closutton team in Dancing City, while Mullins fancies O'Moore Park to go close having knocked on the door at Cheltenham the last twice. 'Dancing City fell at Aintree but on his form before that you'd think he would have a really good chance and I think he's a good enough jumper, maybe we just concentrate on getting him around, then see,' said Mullins. 'O'Moore Park is due a big race and has been improving all season, whether that win is this or next season, I don't know.' Others on the Mullins teamsheet include Olympic Man, Lombron, Klarc Kent, Spanish Harlem and Chosen Witness, with the reigning champion trainer not ruling any out of contention. He said: 'Olympic Man was running a great race for Patrick in Ayr and will be ridden by Johnny Burke. He will be wearing a hood for the first time as he just raced with the choke out a little bit at Ayr and he won't be without a chance. 'Klarc Kent ran a cracker when second in the Scottish National, but even with Kieran Callaghan claiming 5lb, he's still going to be out the handicap. 'Spanish Harlem I think will like this nice ground and he's not out of it and the same applies to Chosen Witness. 'They are two horses I haven't really run before on this type of ground, but I think it's time they did and we take a punt on the ground. They are two big, chasing types that I had been keeping to ground with soft in, but at this stage of the game it's time to let them take their chance.'
