What's in a name? Another Sean Bowen stars in the saddle with first winner

Wednesday: Dundalk

Sean Bowen may already be a familiar name over jumps in Britain, but another Sean Bowen emerged at Dundalk on Wednesday, as the 16-year-old rider celebrated his first winner with Ajax Tavern in the 7f claimer.

Bowen is the nephew of John Nallen, for whom Minella Indo and Minella Times started their careers, and he was off the mark at only the fifth attempt when guiding 14-1 shot Ajax Tavern to a comfortable win.

Ajax Tavern won a Lingfield maiden on debut for Richard Hannon but subsequently went 13 races without winning. He joined Denis Hogan for just 5,000gns at the Tattersalls sale in late October and was making a winning debut in Ireland.

Bowen told Racing TV: "That was just an unbelievable feeling and I'd like to thank Denis and all the lads in the yard for all they've done for me. He bought this horse a few weeks ago and I thought he'd run well but I didn't think he'd get that close.

"He was lazy jumping out and didn't really want to go anywhere. He got up there and started travelling a bit then, turning in, he just lit up."

The winning jockey added: "I did pony racing for a few years and had ten winners. It was a great help riding finishes and for starting.

"I’m riding out for Denis two days a week and the rest of the week with my uncle, John Nallen. I’m still in school but doing a transition year at the moment which has given me a chance to focus on it."

Results, replays and analysis

Read more in race reports

'He's got a lion heart' - Blaklion rolls back the years with popular success

Joy for Anthony Oppenheimer as attention turns to chasing Oaks dream

'I can't believe it' - Hollinshead stunned as rare jumps runner strikes at 125-1

Follow your favourites with our amazing Horse Tracker feature. Add up to 1,000 horses to your stable, filter them and keep up to date with automatic email alerts. Join Members' Club Ultimate now and never miss a winner again!