Sean Bowen
Welsh jockey
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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.
| |
| 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 | |
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
- 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)
