Sean Bowen reflects on remarkable British Champion Apprentice triumph
The Clonmel native secured British Apprentice title at the end of his first season overseas
Saturday, 26 October 2024
Bowen managed two winners more than closest rival Joe Leavy in the race to be crowned British Champion Apprentice Flat jockey
I thought it was a big achievement to win the title in my first year in Britain - Sean Bowen
Sean Bowen had ridden just once in Britain before the start of the year – now he is the British Champion Apprentice Flat jockey.
The talented teenager from Clonmel edged Joe Leavy to glory at Carrick Racecourse in North Yorkshire last weekend to cap off a remarkable breakthrough year.
Bowen saddled 44 winners with an impressive strike rate of 13 percent, and still can’t quite believe how his season gathered pace after his first success back at Doncaster in March.
“Even this week, people have still been congratulating me on the success,” said Bowen.
“For my first season riding in England, I thought it was a big achievement, winning the title in my first year being here, hopefully it will mean a lot for the next season coming.
“I only started to believe in the last six weeks or so – I had a treble in Brighton and it just took off from there.”
There was no lavish celebration for the precocious pilot however, as his winning weekend took an unfortunate turn.
“I was meant to be at Leopardstown on the Sunday, I flew over Sunday morning but we couldn't land in Dublin because of the weather,” said Bowen. “So I landed in Shannon, and missed a ride at Leopardstown so flew back and I was racing in Pontefract on Monday.”
The 19-year-old learned his trade on the Irish pony racing circuit, riding ten winners before earning his first victory on the racecourse proper in December 2021.
His biggest victory came in this month’s lucrative Cesarewitch Handicap at Newmarket on the Simon and Ed Crisford-trained Manxman.
But rather than celebrating on the track, he had to settle for hearing the news while driving to Leicester three days later.
The Whip Review Committee confirmed that Alphonse Le Grande, who finished first past the post by a nose in a close finish, was disqualified after rider Jamie Powell had breached the whip rules.
“The Cesarewitch win was the biggest highlight,” reflected Bowen. “I think it was a massive run from Manxman. On the far side, he was the winner of the race, but I don't think anyone saw the horse down the stand side. It's a shame they couldn't change the result on the day, so I had to wait for a few days afterwards.”
Bowen credits his uncle and point-to-point trainer John Nallen as one of his biggest early influences, sitting on a racehorse for the time around the age of four.
He took his apprentice licence when he was 16 for Denis Hogan and started to get familiar with British tracks last season.
“I went over a fair bit last year for Deva Racing Syndicate,” said Bowen. “Once I was getting to know the different style of racing over here, I kind of liked it and there's plenty of great racing opportunities.”
He will no doubt have an eye on next week’s Breeders’ Cup as a big fan of top jockey Tom Marquand, who is set for second tilt at the Sprint Turf with Big Evs, while Bowen has his own plans to cross the Atlantic in the next few weeks.
Looking further ahead, he hopes to hold onto his three-pound claim before beginning his journey towards the ultimate prize.
“Everyone wants to be Champion Jockey and I’m sure it will be a lot harder once I turn professional but hopefully in a few years I’ll be there,” Bowen added.
“I think the main thing this season was the support I got from my boss, James Owen and a lot of the big trainers around such as William Haggas.
“I couldn't thank them enough for giving me the opportunities. Without them, I probably wouldn't have been standing where I was last Saturday.”
The talented teenager from Clonmel edged Joe Leavy to glory at Carrick Racecourse in North Yorkshire last weekend to cap off a remarkable breakthrough year.
Bowen saddled 44 winners with an impressive strike rate of 13 percent, and still can’t quite believe how his season gathered pace after his first success back at Doncaster in March.
"It was his dream... and he has achieved his dream, so to all those kids that are riding, follow your dreams, it can be done!" 👏👏
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) October 19, 2024
Fantastic to hear from champion apprentice Sean Dylan Bowen and his family in conversation with @niallhannity at @CatterickRaces pic.twitter.com/pVWjUjlwXh
“Even this week, people have still been congratulating me on the success,” said Bowen.
“For my first season riding in England, I thought it was a big achievement, winning the title in my first year being here, hopefully it will mean a lot for the next season coming.
“I only started to believe in the last six weeks or so – I had a treble in Brighton and it just took off from there.”
There was no lavish celebration for the precocious pilot however, as his winning weekend took an unfortunate turn.
“I was meant to be at Leopardstown on the Sunday, I flew over Sunday morning but we couldn't land in Dublin because of the weather,” said Bowen. “So I landed in Shannon, and missed a ride at Leopardstown so flew back and I was racing in Pontefract on Monday.”
"He's come a long way in a short space of time!" @Michaelhills63 is full of praise for Sean D Bowen, this year's Champion Apprentice... pic.twitter.com/NpZ1JcV4yF
— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) October 19, 2024
The 19-year-old learned his trade on the Irish pony racing circuit, riding ten winners before earning his first victory on the racecourse proper in December 2021.
His biggest victory came in this month’s lucrative Cesarewitch Handicap at Newmarket on the Simon and Ed Crisford-trained Manxman.
But rather than celebrating on the track, he had to settle for hearing the news while driving to Leicester three days later.
The Whip Review Committee confirmed that Alphonse Le Grande, who finished first past the post by a nose in a close finish, was disqualified after rider Jamie Powell had breached the whip rules.
“The Cesarewitch win was the biggest highlight,” reflected Bowen. “I think it was a massive run from Manxman. On the far side, he was the winner of the race, but I don't think anyone saw the horse down the stand side. It's a shame they couldn't change the result on the day, so I had to wait for a few days afterwards.”
Newly crowned apprentice jockeys' champion Sean D Bowen puts the gloss on a memorable day with victory @CatterickRaces aboard Racingbreaks Ryder 🏆 pic.twitter.com/wnKs4nTD4D
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) October 19, 2024
Bowen credits his uncle and point-to-point trainer John Nallen as one of his biggest early influences, sitting on a racehorse for the time around the age of four.
He took his apprentice licence when he was 16 for Denis Hogan and started to get familiar with British tracks last season.
“I went over a fair bit last year for Deva Racing Syndicate,” said Bowen. “Once I was getting to know the different style of racing over here, I kind of liked it and there's plenty of great racing opportunities.”
He will no doubt have an eye on next week’s Breeders’ Cup as a big fan of top jockey Tom Marquand, who is set for second tilt at the Sprint Turf with Big Evs, while Bowen has his own plans to cross the Atlantic in the next few weeks.
The Champions of British flat racing 2024
— irishracing.com (@irishracing) October 19, 2024
Jockey: @oismurphy 🇮🇪
Trainer: Aidan O'Brien 🇮🇪
Apprentice: Sean Bowen 🇮🇪
Congratulations all 👏 pic.twitter.com/NWWRtcSP1C
Looking further ahead, he hopes to hold onto his three-pound claim before beginning his journey towards the ultimate prize.
“Everyone wants to be Champion Jockey and I’m sure it will be a lot harder once I turn professional but hopefully in a few years I’ll be there,” Bowen added.
“I think the main thing this season was the support I got from my boss, James Owen and a lot of the big trainers around such as William Haggas.
“I couldn't thank them enough for giving me the opportunities. Without them, I probably wouldn't have been standing where I was last Saturday.”