Sean Bowen has Joined the Champions group. . . now he wants his own '300 club'

Sean Bowen is already Welsh sport’s most relentless winner . . . but now he wants to eclipse a racing legend.

Welsh jockey Bowen will be officially crowned champion jockey for the second successive year on Saturday at Sandown Park after a season in which he has so far ridden an astonishing 238 winners.

The only rider ever to win more was AP McCoy, who had 289 in 2001-02, but the pride of Pembrokeshire has McCoy in his sights.

“AP's records are incredible, but I don't think it's something that's impossible to do,” says Bowen.

“It'll obviously take a lot of work, but if it's something I can do, I'll definitely be trying.”

“I've had a target for a little while to get to Richard Johnson's mark of 235 he set in 2016. I surpassed that at Ffos Las a couple of days ago, which was nice.

“The numbers have been incredible and I'm a very lucky boy.”

READ MORE: Sean Bowen and Haiti Couleurs to be Backed by Chepstow Roar

In fact, Bowen – now 28 and approaching his peek - reckons he could even hit the magical 300 number if he stays clear of injury and gets enough good rides from his regular trainer Olly Murphy next season.

“To get to 300 winners would take some doing, but if everything went to plan it would be do-able,” he says.

“These numbers are incredible really, when you at it, but we have such good back-up and support now that they are realistic.”

It is fitting that two of Bowen’s home Welsh racecourses – and two of his favourites - have both produced highlights in a landmark season.

It was at Chepstow that he rode the Rebecca Curtis-trained Haiti Couleurs to secure his first Coral Welsh Grand National victory back in December.

READ MORE: Sean Bowen Arrives at Chepstow With 100 Winners Reached for Olly Murphy

He was unable to repeat that trick on the same horse at the Aintree Grand National earlier this month, but he eased his disappointment a few days later by becoming the first and only jockey to have 100 career wins at Ffos Las.

He was back at Ffos Las to add another treble to his winners tally on Tuesday of this week, where he was presented with a personal portrait by track officials to celebrate his achievements.

The roar of Welsh crowds has become a familiar soundtrack to his success, especially during marquee meetings such as the Welsh Grand National, where he produced one of his standout rides of the season.

“As far as highlights go, I obviously won at the Welsh National and he I've had a few other special winners this season as well.”

READ MORE: Cheltenham Festival to Host Welsh Battle as Sean Bowen Goes Head-to-Head with Ben Jones for Gold Cup

His versatility - from grinding front-running efforts to conjuring victories from seemingly lost positions  - has defined a campaign in which Bowen has ridden more than 1,000 times, a workload that reflects both his hunger and endurance.

“The work is an immense amount of work,” he says. “I'll surpass 1,000 rides at Perth, so that takes a lot of work in itself. And the miles on the road is a lot . . . it's hard work.”

That grind has translated into a commanding championship lead over his rivals, with the likes of Harry Skelton and his own brother James trailing significantly in the standings. 

Yet Bowen remains grounded, shaped by a family environment that continues to anchor him.

Though retired recently as a trainer, Bowen’s father, Peter, remains a huge influence on Sean, whilst James and his other brother, Mickey, who took over their father’s trainer’s license, maintain close bonds. 

“James and I are always on the phone – maybe five times a day,” adds Bowen. 

“He has had a fantastic season himself this year. Very few jockeys get to 100 winners in a season so for him to get to 100 is very good.

“We're all very, very lucky and that obviously all started at home.”

That home — a farm at Little Newcastle between Fishguard and Haverfordwest, and the Welsh racing circuit surrounding it — remains central to Bowen’s identity. 

Chepstow and Ffos Las have reinforced those bonds with supporters who have watched his journey from pony racing to champion jockey.

Those early years were not always a foregone conclusion that  the young Chelsea fan would thrive on a saddle.

“Nothing used to annoy me more than when I'd come home and the racing channel was on and I wasn't allowed to change it to the football,” he admits.

“I wasn't into it until I started riding ponies - then all I wanted to be was champion jockey.”

That childhood ambition has now been realised twice over — but Bowen shows little sign of easing off. 

If anything, the achievement has sharpened his appetite.

“Now I've reached my targets this season, I really can't wait for next season to start now and start all over again.”

Despite the scale of his achievements, Bowen is acutely aware of the next frontier: Grade 1 victories and major festival success, particularly at Cheltenham.

“Numbers wise I'm getting there, I'd obviously love to be riding those grade one winners as well and I have no doubt they're going to come, but obviously finding the horses isn't very easy.”

Even so, his performances at the Cheltenham Festival — including placed efforts on outsiders at 25/1 and 50/1 — suggest that breakthrough may not be far away.

“I had a 25 to 1 shot finish second, a 50 to 1 shot finish third, another 25 to 1 shot finish third. They were all running well but to get on those good rides obviously isn't easy.”

For now, Bowen’s focus remains on sustaining the relentless rhythm that has carried him to back-to-back titles — even if that means navigating a punishing racing calendar.

“I have two days off and then Punchestown.  All summer there's only two days off really, put together twice. The calendar is fairly stupid, if I'm being honest. We get worked very hard.”

It is a workload he accepts as part of the pursuit of greatness — and perhaps even history. 

For a jockey shaped by Welsh soil, cheered on at Chepstow and Ffos Las, and driven by a childhood dream forged in Pembrokeshire, the journey is far from over.

“I love doing my job and I'm very, very lucky. I have such a good support team around me and good people around you definitely helps.”