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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
Grand National betting tips: Selections from our experts
The Grand National is today, so the time has come for you to make your selections for the most famous race of them all. If you need a run-down of all 34 contenders, see Telegraph Sport's full runners and riders guide. Advertisement If you're looking to back one of our selections then it could pay to check out these Grand National free bets first. Here, we turn to our experts for their race predictions... Marcus Armytage Hyland (Nicky Henderson) His trainer has never been able to replicate his first National runner Zongalero, who finished second. Since, nearly a quarter of his 40 plus runners have tipped up at the first he may never get a better chance than with Hyland. The novice chaser has no weight and, as much as the chuck water on the course to soften it up, it is drying out and having walked the course on Thursday and I reckon the ground is nearer good than soft. Hyland is aiming to give Nicky Henderson his first win in the Grand National - PA /David Davies That won't suit the soft ground brigade but Hyland will love it. He had a very good racing weight and Grade One form - he has just got to survive the first! Advertisement First-four prediction Hyland Iroko Perceval Legallois Beauport Marlborough Perceval Legallois (Gavin Cromwell) Gavin Cromwell, trainer of this year's Gold Cup winner Inothewayurthinkin, along with owner JP McManus must have been tempted to run that horse in this year's Grand National, but the decision to keep him at home would have been made easier knowing they had Perceval Legallois entered with an excellent chance. This eight-year-old gelding has been a slow burner over fences. Having a looked a promising staying horse over hurdles, connections decided to take a patient approach and he didn't run over three miles again until this season where his form has taken off. His win at Leopardstown in December was the perfect audition for a Grand National, dourly staying on up the run-in to win with loads in hand. Advertisement That patient approach has meant he is still unexposed over marathon trips and he is able to run on Saturday with only 10 stone 12 pounds on his back. Jockey, Mark Walsh mentioned after Perceval Legallois' latest victory he feels he has unfinished business with this horse. They can get the job done to give owner, JP McManus a record breaking fourth win in the race. Charlie Brooks Intense Raffles (Tom Gibney) Since he won the Irish Grand National a year ago, the plan has clearly been to win the Grand National. His handicap mark over fences has been protected by two quiet runs over hurdles this season. His only run over fences was an excellent second in the Bobby chase at Fairyhouse, cunningly after the weights for the national had been published. He ran an excellent second, form which is good enough if he stays the extra five furlongs. Intense Raffles goes for glory for trainer Tom Gibney and jockey JJ Slevin - PA Wire/Niall Carson Rain would not do any harm, but he should also have the class to go on better ground. Advertisement First-four prediction Intense Raffles Stumptown Vanilier Hewick Tom Ward Perceval Legallois (Gavin Cromwell) Another horse from the Cromwell stable who looks to have been laid out for this race all season. Perceval Legallois first caught the eye winning at the 2023 Dublin Racing Festival when he demolished a competitive handicap hurdle field off what, in hindsight, was a mark that far underestimated his abilities. Hi switch to chasing has not been without its ups and downs but he this season he has slowly come to the boil, running well in the Kerry National and the Troytown before dotting up in a big-field handicap at Leopardstown over Christmas off a mark of 142. He got an 11lb hike in the weights for his trouble that day but the manner of the success suggested there could be even more to come even off a revised mark. Advertisement Switched back to hurdles at this year's Dublin Racing Festival, he again took down a big handicap in what could prove to be the perfect prep for the Grand National. The only unknown is the trip but he's bred to stay and has looked strongest at the finish in both wins this season. He has a huge chance. First-four prediction Perceval Legallois Vanillier Beauport Hyland Tom Morgan Stumptown (Gavin Cromwell) Stumptown has been excelling on the jumps and is as obvious a choice as any. The bay gelding has been rising through the ranks steadily as a force in recent years. Consistent performances and an ability to thrive under pressure are an ideal blend. BoyleSports Racing AI Simulator gives Stumptown an 11.5 per cent chance of success in its algorithm factoring in odds, trainer performance, horse ratings, ground preference, age trends, and previous form. Advertisement First-four prediction Stumptown Hewick Intense Raffles I Am Maximus Celebrity picks JP McManus (Three-time winning owner): 'We've got a few with chances but I think I Am Maximus has the best chance; he's proven.' Bob Champion, winning jockey on Aldaniti in 1981: 'Stumptown, jumps, stays and will keep galloping.' Ben Wallace, former government minister: 'Nick Rocket, won a good trial and one from the all conquering Willie Mullins yard.' Ed Chamberlin, ITV Racing: 'Percival Legallois - trainer's not too bad and won a race I like as a National trial at Christmas. Suspect there's more to come.' Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
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
France 24
26-04-2025
- Sport
- France 24
Mullins emulates O'Brien with second successive trainer's title
The 68-year-old sent 21 runners over to seal the title and having started the day £68,000 (79,350 euros, $78,000) behind Dan Skelton he won two valuable prizes to pass the Englishman. Mullins did not have it all his own way. He was denied victory in the penultimate race, the Gold Cup Handicap Chase. That was won by Resplendent Grey rounding off an incredible season for champion jockey Sean Bowen, the Welshman having won the Irish Grand National last Monday. However, Mullins -- who had 10 of the 19 runners -- sealed the trainer's prize as his horses filled second to fifth spots. That prizemoney ensured with just one race to go Skelton -- the son of 2016 Olympic show jumping gold medallist Nick -- could not pass him. Mullins had more £3.5 million to over £3.3 million for Skelton. His achievement mirrors that of the late O'Brien whose two titles came in 1953 and 1954 before going onto a trophy-laden flat race career. "Privileged to ride for him, he is an exceptional trainer," said stable jockey Paul Townend. Mullins had a 1-2 in the Oaksey Chase, favourite Gaelic Warrior led home Appreciate It to reduce Skelton's advantage to just over £2,000. The Irish master passed Skelton in the standings in the following race as his favourite Kitzbuehel finished third, moving £6,000 clear. He took a sizeable lead with another extraordinary training performance by Mullins as Il Etait Temps eased to victory in the Grade One Celebration Chase, his first race in almost a year. "You can't discount Willie Mullins's horses after a long lay-off," said winning rider Danny Mullins. Mullins was to crown another wonderful campaign by winning the final race of the season with Skelton's runner appositely finishing second. Bowen -- one of four Welsh riders in the top 10 of the final standings -- fulfilled what he said was "something you dream of as a kid". Champion conditional (apprentice) jockey was Freddie Gingell who dedicated the title to his late mother Kim, daughter of Cheltenham Gold Cup winning trainer Colin Tizzard. Kim, who was an integral part of her father's set-up, died of cancer in 2020. "Everything I achieve is for mum," said 19-year-old Gingell. "It's nearly five years ago now and my whole world really got turned around. "From then on, I really wanted to give it my best shot which is what she would have wanted. It's all for her. "Dad (Dave Gingell) and I really are like best friends as much as father and son. "I am thankful for him being by my side and we get through every day together." pi/pb © 2025 AFP
