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- Sean Bowen Arrives At Chepstow With Winners Reached For Olly Murphy
After another standout afternoon in the saddle, the Welsh rider underlined his position as the leading figure of the current jumps season.
Bowen’s latest success came with a sparkling treble at Southwell Racecourse on Wednesday, a performance that pushed his partnership with trainer Olly Murphy beyond 100 winners for the campaign.
The reigning champion jockey has now surged to 223 victories this season, with 102 of those coming from Murphy’s yard — an impressive return that reflects both consistency and a potent working relationship.
Their strike-rate of 25 per cent further emphasises how effective the pairing has become.
Bowen reached the milestone in style aboard Ukantango, producing a patient ride from the rear before sweeping through the field to land the 2m4½f handicap chase by nine lengths.
It was a performance that typified his composure and timing.
He quickly followed up in the 2m maiden hurdle, guiding Road To Wembley to a breakthrough success. Tracking the pace throughout, Bowen judged his challenge perfectly to secure victory for the five-year-old, who had previously raced on the Flat.
The hat-trick was completed with Diamond Geezer in the 3m½f handicap hurdle, where Bowen again demonstrated his tactical awareness, delivering a late surge to snatch victory by a head.
Murphy was quick to praise both his horses and his stable jockey after the landmark day.
Murphy said: "Ukantango was feasibly treated on his old form while Road To Wembley had a good run first time out and hopefully he's going to be a nice two-mile hurdler. Diamond Geezer appreciated a set of blinkers and Sean got the best out of him.
"It's nice to have my stable jockey riding 100 winners in a season for me. It's not something that happens very often.
“We’ve both got a lot of support from a lot of owners and it’s nice to repay them all through the season."
Bowen has two rides at Chepstow on Thursday. He rides Fairye Forth for Welsh trainer Rebecca Curtis in a maiden hurdle, then Winmeafortune for his brother and trainer Mickey Bowen in the bumper.
Sean’s brother James is also booked for a couple of races at Chepstow and will arrive in good form, as will another Welsh jockey, Ben Jones.
James Bowen recently celebrated his first Cheltenham Festival success and is on course to reach a century of winners this season, with just five more needed.
Jones has surged to 97 winners this term and is eyeing a century for the first time.
His rise has been fuelled by a productive partnership with trainer Ben Pauling, delivering big-race success including a Cheltenham Festival triumph and a King George VI Chase victory.
Jones could yet add another major prize when he lines up in the Irish Grand National at Fairyhouse Racecourse on Monday.
The €500,000 contest was won last year by Rebecca Curtis and Sean Bowen with Haiti Couleurs.
This time, Jones is set to partner The Jukebox Kid, a rapidly improving chaser who heads the betting after a series of strong performances.
Pauling is optimistic about his contender’s chances.
“He’s got a very progressive profile and he’s slightly better on right-handed tracks,” said the trainer.
“He’s only run six times in his life, that would be the only concern, but if he gets into a rhythm, he’s a good horse.”
