‘Sean is relentless and it could be like this for years - but I want to be the one who knocks him off the top’
Sam Hendry catches up with jockey James Bowen, who has enjoyed his best ever start to a season
When racegoers wandered back towards Worcester city centre at the end of the track’s final meeting of the season on Wednesday, they did so having just witnessed another tour de force from champion jockey Sean Bowen. A second consecutive four-timer ensured there were few column inches and little social media love left for anyone else, yet he was not the family member who left the weighing room with a 100 per cent strike-rate that day.
That accolade belonged to James Bowen, who is determined not to allow his older brother to have things all his own way and has made his best ever start to a season, ensuring there is currently a family duopoly at the top of the jockeys’ championship.
Around an hour and a half before forcefully powering French Emperor to victory in the 2m handicap hurdle, the younger Bowen could be seen enjoying a rather unorthodox preparation for his sole ride of the day.
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