Sean Bowen celebrates landmark 1000th career win and sets sights on becoming champion after victory with Kefir d’Oudairies at Fakenham
Sean Bowen reached a significant landmark in his increasingly successful career as he became the latest member of the 1000 winner club.
Nobody has been riding better in the UK this winter than Bowen. He has the unusual condition of an allergy to horse hair but that has not stopped him establishing himself as one of the leading jump jockeys of his generation.
Bowen, 27, is determined to become Champion this season – his attempt to take the title last year was thwarted due to a knee injury – and he will attack the remainder of the campaign with renewed impetus following yesterday’s momentous double at Fakenham.
With his father, Peter, and mother, Karen, in the stands, he moved on to 999 successes – the first of which came on Kozima Bay at Uttoxeter in December 2013 – when Lyrical Genius kept on resolutely to win a three-and-a-half mile handicap chase for trainer Sarah Humphrey.
He had a good book of rides to look forward to at Haydock this afternoon, including course specialist Royale Pagaille in the Grand National Trial (315); Lavendar Hill Mob, for the team behind Triumph Hurdle second favourite East India Dock, is another with a chance in the Victor Luodorum Hurdle.
There is every reason to believe he will be among the winners on Merseyside but Bowen didn’t have to sleep on 999 as four figures arrived within 30 minutes; he judged his fractions to perfection on Kefir D’Oudairies, trained by his main supporter Olly Murphy, in the two-mile flat race.
Sean Bowen brought up his 1,000th career winner with a double at Fakenham on Friday
Bowen, pictured on Classic Anthem earlier this month, has set his sight on becoming champion
‘I’m over the moon to have reached 1000 winners in Britain,’ said Bowen, whose momentous season has included the rare feat of him having a dead-heat with his brother, James, in a race at Cheltenham. ‘It’s a great day, thank you to everyone who has helped me.
‘My next goal is to become champion jockey. It’s something I’ve wanted for a very long time so I’m very focused on that after a tough battle for the title last year. It’s been a great season and I’d also love to have a Cheltenham Festival winner.’
Royale Pagaille will have to concede weight all-around in the Grand National trial but his owner Rich Ricci hopes the gallant 11-year-old, who provided him with his 100th Grade One win when landing the Betfair Chase last November, is hopeful.
‘He’s not the easiest fellow to train; a bit like the owner, he’s a bit clumsy and he always has a niggle and he seems to hurt himself in every race,’ said Ricci. ‘Venetia Williams, his trainer, has nursed an awful lot of winning form out of him and prize-money.
‘I’m just hoping if he runs (well) on Saturday at Haydock in the Grand National Trial, he will carry on and go to Aintree with no blemishes. He’s been a great horse to own and she’s done a magnificent job with him.’
