Bowen Family Lead Welsh Charge as Chepstow Hosts DragonBet Welsh Racing Festival

The new three-day meeting, designed to showcase the strength of jump racing in Wales, comes during a remarkable season for the Bowen family from Pembrokeshire — with father Peter watching on as sons Sean, James, and Mickey all enjoying career-best campaigns.

Reigning champion jockey Sean Bowen currently leads the Jump Jockeys’ Championship on 98 winners, with younger brother James second on 43. 

Meanwhile, eldest brother Mickey, who took over the family’s Little Newcastle training yard from their father last season, sits top of the Trainers’ Championship, with 40 wins and more than £388,000 in prize money.

The family’s dominance has underlined a new golden era for Welsh racing — one that will be highlighted at Chepstow this weekend.

Family pride

Former trainer Peter Bowen, who retired last season after more than 1,000 career winners, said the success of his sons had exceeded all expectations.

“For my family, this year has been more than I could have dreamed about,” he says.

“I think Sean's about 50 wins clear of James in the championship, but it is so great that they currently one and two. 

Hopefully, it will stay that way for the rest of the season.

“And the start Mickey has had to his training career, well . . . you couldn’t write it, could you.”

Bowen, whose stables near Haverfordwest have long been a cornerstone of Welsh racing, said he always believed Mickey had the right qualities to succeed as a trainer.

“I always felt Mickey had the talent. He's always been keen and he's always followed me around, since he was about three-year-old,” he says.

“Somebody asked me if he’s done his apprenticeship and I replied that he’d already done about 30 years of it!

“From the time he was a kid, you could tell he was the one who was going to be a trainer, because he was so into it — even as a kid.”

Mickey’s move into training followed a serious fall at 16 which ended his time as a jockey.

“It’s just pleasing for me as a father that all three are in the jobs they have and they are all loving it,” Peter says.

“When I look at how successful the whole family now are, I have to pinch myself every morning. I also realise how lucky we are to be doing what we love.”

“Best I’ve ever seen”

Peter Bowen also revealed that legendary trainer and former seven-time champion jockey Peter Scudamore has described Sean as the best rider he has ever seen.

“I was talking to Peter Scudamore the other day,” says Peter Bowen. “He said he had watched jockeys all his life and but he told me he thinks Sean is the best he has ever seen.

“To come from someone like Peter Scudamore, that is a hell of an accolade.”

Bowen said both Sean and James had a natural instinct for racing that set them apart.

“Both Sean and James have the ability to win races they really shouldn’t be winning and that’s what makes a great jockey,” he said. “They are also totally dedicated to what they do and spend a lot of time in the gym and running to be super-fit.

“All three of them have managed to stay really good friends and they must speak to each other about four times a day.”

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Festival boost for Welsh racing

This weekend’s DragonBet Welsh Horse Racing Festival at Chepstow is the first event of its kind and aims to raise the profile of racing across Wales.

Sean Bowen, who will ride several leading contenders across the three days, believes the festival is a major step forward.

“We need to promote Welsh racing all we can, because we've got some brilliant trainers and brilliant jockeys and obviously some big owners now as well,” he says.

“So, I think Welsh racing is thriving at the minute. Obviously, our biggest race at the moment is the Welsh Grand National.

“But this big festival meeting at Chepstow, where all the stars will start their season, is quite exciting.

“I know Chepstow have done a good job with promoting it all. A few owners are telling me about the good deals they've done with hotels and buses and different things, so they're making a good go of it and fair play to Chepstow Racecourse for that.”

Chepstow’s location near the border makes it accessible for both Welsh and English trainers, something Sean says will help attract a strong field.

“Even though Chepstow is in Wales, it is quite close to a lot of the jumps trainers over the border, so it’s not far for them to go,” he says.

“A three-day festival is brilliant. A lot of people will enjoy staying over and will have a good time over the three days, so it's really exciting.”

READ MORE: Contender for Welsh Racing Festival Emerges as Jumps Season Nears

Peter Bowen reckons the event is another step forward for Welsh racing’s visibility.

“It won’t quite be the same grade of racing as Cheltenham, but I think it'll be a good three days,” he said. “It will be something that will raise the profile of Welsh racing and that is very welcome.”

Shared success

Sean Bowen is certain his brothers’ progress added extra motivation during an already memorable season.

“I can’t quite believe how well Mickey has started. He’s been incredible,” he says.

“He has trained almost as many winners already this season as they had last season. Things just keep going from strength to strength and he's doing a brilliant job.

“James is also having a great season and is currently second behind me in the championship. Hopefully, we can keep it like that all season.”

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The Bowens’ achievements have made them the dominant force in Welsh jump racing and the main storyline ahead of the country’s biggest racing weekend.

As Peter Bowen summed up, their success has been built on hard work, family support and a lifelong passion for horses — a combination that has placed Welsh racing firmly in the national spotlight.