FEATURE BOWEN BROTHERS
wins and more nervous when he is riding. I love my family doing well.” Granted an injury free run to the end of the campaign it should see Sean lift the coveted Jump Jockeys’ Championship for the first time. And while there will be plenty to give him a congratulatory slap on the back when that moment finally arrives first in the queue will be James. James said: “I think Sean has been riding well for a long time, but there are a lot of horses he is winning on that others just wouldn’t win on. There is no one riding better in my opinion. He has worked extremely hard and it takes a lot of work to do that. If he was to be champion jockey it would be an amazing achievement.” One thing missing from the CV of both boys is riding a winner at The Festival. Unfortunately, it won’t be in 2025 that James secures a first success as a riding suspension means he will be absent from The Festival. Sean added: “The main ambition is to win the title and it has been for a while and hopefully I can get it done this season. The Festival is one place I want to get a winner and something I need to do fairly sharpish before I lose
It was quite a big moment and exciting to be part of it.” For all the camaraderie that goes on in the weighing room life on the inside of those four walls can be a tough place such is the nature of the sport. However, James admits that knowing his brother always has his back is a big comfort in sport that takes no prisoners. James said: “It is quite nice having him in the weighing room and having those same interests. I wouldn’t want to be without my brother in there as we speak to each other a lot and we speak to each other mostly about racing. If someone heard us talking about racing they would think we are geeks as we go into fine details. We are very competitive, but I would always give more help to Sean over anyone else in the weighing room whether that is down the start or if he is shouting for room.” And although James looks up to his older brother that feeling of having a familiar face to talk things through is reciprocated. Sean added: “I spend a lot of time on the phone to James as we don’t live together and he rides out at different places to where I do.
all my hair! I don’t know all my rides yet, but I suppose Haiti Couleurs would have a real chance in the National Hunt Novices’ Handicap Chase.
If he has given one a bad ride, or if I have given one a bad ride, we tell each other. Equally if we give one a good ride we do the same. It is quite nice you can talk things through with each other.
We have had plenty of placed horses there in the past, but nothing good enough to win. Hopefully we can both do it this year, but it would be nice to do it in a race before James does it!”
If I can’t win, the first person I want to see win is James. I get probably more excited when he
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