'The best two weeks of my life' - Sean Bowen shows why he is champion jockey as he delivers Resplendent Grey in style

He has won his first title. He has won two huge prizes in the last five days, not to mention riding a treble and a four-timer. Now he is off on his stag do. What an end to the season for Sean Bowen.

The final big race of 2024-25 turned into a battle between champions and, for once, Willie Mullins came off second best.

The colossus of Closutton has swept all before him in staying chases this spring, with five of the first seven home in the Grand National and a one-two in the Scottish version, and he had four in contention in the straight in the bet365 Gold Cup.

But on the day Bowen was crowned champion jockey for the first time, he showed exactly why his name is inscribed on the trophy.

Resplendent Grey, trained by staunch ally Olly Murphy, who has provided more than 100 victories of his title-winning tally, had disappointed in the National Hunt Chase at Cheltenham.

So the tactics were switched, cheekpieces fitted, and the 9-2 shot was produced by his ultra-confident rider to lead on the run-in and thwart Mullins in a race in which the champion trainer supplied ten of the 19 runners.

Resplendent Grey scored by a length from Lombron, whose jockey, Rachael Blackmore, performed wonders to stay on board after the 10-1 chance made a bad mistake at the last of the Railway fences.

Resplendent Grey (right) beats Lombron in the bet365 Gold CupCredit: Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)

Mullins had a clean sweep of the places, with High Class Hero (100-30 favourite) third, Spanish Harlem (22-1) fourth and Grangeclare West (14-1) fifth.

It capped a tremendous end to the season for Bowen, who not only clinched his first title, having ridden a treble and then a four-timer at Perth in midweek, but also won the Irish Grand National at Fairyhouse on Haiti Couleurs on Monday.

"That's amazing," Bowen said. "Honestly the best two weeks of my life. I hope it carries on forever.

"It's brilliant to have all the family here, but I'd like to mention Olly Murphy. For his horses to hit form at the start of the season and still be hitting form now is incredible."

Reflecting on the season, he said: "There have been plenty of good days but the last two weeks have been something I never want to stop.

"Resplendent Grey is a horse full of ability and he really annoyed us at Cheltenham the way he went round. The cheekpieces made some difference."

Murphy agreed and said of the winner: "He confused me at Cheltenham to say the least. We thought we were doing the right thing by riding him down the inner but we rode him differently today and he got an absolute exhibition off Sean. Cheekpieces helped him, he got into a way better rhythm and came home strong. That's a good way to win a big one."

Sean Bowen: champion jockeyCredit: Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)

The trainer was delighted to provide Bowen with a big winner and said: "Today is his day. I've been a very small cog in his wheel. We've had a really good relationship together for the last two years.

"These are the races you want to win. I train a lot of horses, I'm supported by big owners and we want to get to the next level. My jockeys are helping me get there and these winners are important."

Murphy is looking forward to next season and stressed: "We're back to zero tonight, and the hard work starts again at Uttoxeter on Saturday."

His runners will be worth noting, as last year he won at Uttoxeter with a certain Resplendent Grey. Ridden by Sean Bowen, obviously.

Read these next:

'The best two weeks of my life' - Sean Bowen shows why he is champion jockey as he delivers Resplendent Grey in style 

Jonbon denied in Celebration Chase but crowned Racing Post Jumps Horse of the Year after public vote 

Il Etait Temps shocks Jonbon to put Willie Mullins on the brink of title 

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