Trainer Peter Scudamore – a seven-time champion jockey and one of the most respected voices in National Hunt racing – believes Sean’s talent is exceptional.
“I was talking to Peter Scudamore the other day,” says Peter Bowen.
“He said he had watched jockeys all his life and he told me he thinks Sean is the best he has ever seen.
“To come from someone like Peter Scudamore, that is a hell of an accolade.”
Peter believes both Sean and James possess a rare ability to “win races they really should not be winning”, describing that as the mark of a true champion.
“They are also totally dedicated to what they do and spend a lot of time in the gym and running to be super-fit,” he adds.
“All three of them have managed to stay really good friends and they must speak to each other about four times a day.”
This weekend’s Welsh Racing Festival will showcase not only the Bowens’ brilliance but also the growing ambition of the sport across Wales.
Sean Bowen, preparing for several key rides at Chepstow, says the event represents a major step forward for the country’s racing profile.
“We need to promote Welsh racing all we can, because we’ve got some brilliant trainers and brilliant jockeys and obviously some big owners now as well,” he says.
“So, I think Welsh racing is thriving at the minute. Obviously, our biggest race at the moment is the Welsh Grand National.
“But this big festival meeting at Chepstow, where all the stars will start their season, is quite exciting.
“I know Chepstow have done a good job with promoting it all. A few owners are telling me about the good deals they’ve done with hotels and buses and different things, so they’re making a good go of it and fair play to Chepstow Racecourse for that.”
For Sean, Chepstow’s location is ideal – close enough to attract the top stables from England, while giving Welsh racing a central stage.
“Even though Chepstow is in Wales, it is quite close to a lot of the jumps trainers over the border, so it’s not far for them to go,” he says.
“A three-day festival is brilliant. A lot of people will enjoy staying over and will have a good time over the three days, so it’s really exciting.”
As Welsh racing’s flagship festival prepares to open, a family rooted in Pembrokeshire soil are reaching for the top of British jump racing.
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