Sean Bowen
 | |
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Born | 5 September 1997 Little Newcastle, Pembrokeshire, Wales[1] |
| Occupation | Jockey |
| Horse racing career | |
| Sport | Horse racing |
Major racing wins | |
| Tolworth Novices Hurdle (2021) Liverpool Hurdle (2019) | |
| Racing awards | |
| Lester Awards x2 (2015) | |
| Honours | |
| Champion Conditional Jockey (2014-15) Racing Excellence Hands and Heels Series Champion (2015) British jump racing Champion Jockey (2024–25, 2025–26) | |
Significant horses | |
| Metier, If The Cap Fits, Haiti Couleurs | |
Sean Bowen (born 5 September 1997[2]) is a Welsh jockey who competes in National Hunt racing. He was champion conditional jockey in 2014-15 and British jump racing champion jockey in 2024–25 and 2025–26.
Background
Bowen comes from a racing background. His father, Peter, is a trainer. His mother, Karen, is a former champion point-to-point rider. His younger brother, James, is a jockey, while his older brother, Mickey, trains with his father, taking over the licence in May 2025 after sharing it for a season.[1][3][4] Bowen won a pony racing championship before riding in point-to-points, where he was awarded the Wilkinson Sword title for top novice rider in the UK.[5]
Career as a jockey
In 2015, Bowen won both the conditional jockey championship and the Racing Excellence hands and heels championship.[6][7] In the same year, Bowen won his first two Lester Awards for both Racing Excellence Conditional Jockey and the AtTheRaces Jump Ride of the Year for his win on Just A Par at Sandown Park.[8]
In 2015, Bowen achieved his first Grade race win, riding Just A Par for trainer Paul Nicholls in the Grade 3 Bet365 Gold Cup.[9] His first Grade 1 victory was on board If The Cap Fits in the 2019 Liverpool Hurdle.[10]
During the 2023–24 season Bowen had a 31 win lead in the championship when he injured his knee in a Boxing Day fall and was overtaken by Harry Cobden, who went on to secure the title.[11][12] Bowen rode his 1,000th winner at Fakenham in February 2025.[13] Riding as stable jockey to Warwickshire trainer Olly Murphy, he became champion jockey in the 2024–25 season with 180 wins.[12][14] In the 2025–26 season he rode more than 200 winners for the first time and was champion jockey for the second time, with 241 wins.[15]
In 2019, Bowen became an official ambassador to Ffos Las Racecourse.[1]
Major wins
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- Fighting Fifth Hurdle - (1) Not So Sleepy (2023)
- Liverpool Hurdle - (2) If The Cap Fits (2019), Strong Leader (2024)
- Tolworth Novices' Hurdle - (1) Metier (2021)
References
- 1 2 3 "Sean Bowen Becomes Official Ambassador To Ffos Las Races". Ffos Las Racecourse. Retrieved 19 September 2022.
- ↑ "Jockey Sean Bowen is among those celebrating on Wednesday". Racing Post. Retrieved 19 September 2022.
- ↑ "From the Canvas to the Championship - Sean Bowen". Great British Racing. 24 April 2025.
- ↑ "New start for Bowen family as father Peter hands over training licence after 30-year career". Racing Post. 6 May 2025.
- ↑ "Sean Bowen - Marching Towards The Title". Great British Racing. 29 November 2025.
- ↑ "Welsh jockey Sean Bowen wins National Hunt conditional riders' title with Sandown victory". Wales Online. Retrieved 18 September 2022.
- ↑ "Sean Bowen comes out on top in the Conditional Hands and Heels title". British Horse Racing Authority. Retrieved 18 September 2022.
- ↑ "RACING: Jockey Tom Marquand wins his first 'Lester' award". Wiltshire and Gloucestershire Standard. Retrieved 19 September 2022.
- ↑ "Sean Bowen". Racing Post. Retrieved 5 May 2026.
- ↑ "If The Cap Fits wins thrilling Ryanair Stayers' Hurdle". Sporting Life. Retrieved 19 September 2022.
- ↑ "Championship leader Sean Bowen raring to go". Racing Post. 30 January 2024.
- 1 2 "Sean Bowen: Nobody can begrudge Welshman jockeys' title - Olly Murphy". BBC Sport. 1 April 2025.
- ↑ "Sean Bowen celebrates landmark 1,000th career winner". RacingTV. 14 February 2025.
- ↑ Hudson, Elizabeth (26 April 2025). "Mullins passes Skelton to retain trainers' title". BBC Sport.
- ↑ Nelson, Craig (25 April 2026). "Havaila wins Gold Cup as champions crowned at Sandown". BBC Sport.