Jockey brothers Sean and James Bowen proved inseparable on the track once again, dead-heating in a thrilling finish at the Perth Festival on Thursday. The pair, who consider themselves best mates off the track, produced a photo-finish that left the judge studying the image for an extended period before declaring a dead heat.
Race Details
In the three-mile Join Racing TV Now Handicap Chase, James drove the 11-2 chance Statuario, trained by the duo's brother Mickey, to the front at the final fence. Sean, who will be crowned champion jockey for the second time on Saturday, responded on the 9-4 favourite American Mike. The two horses battled stride for stride to the line, finishing five and a half lengths clear of third-placed If Not For Dylan. Sean's cause was not helped by dropping his whip close to the line, but the judge ultimately ruled it a dead heat.
Historic Achievement
This is the second dead heat between the Bowen brothers, following a similar outcome at Cheltenham in December 2024. Sean Bowen will be officially announced as the leading jumps rider for the second consecutive year at the Sandown finale on Saturday. He has ridden 240 winners this season, a tally surpassed only by Sir AP McCoy in a single national hunt campaign.
Looking Ahead
There is no rest for Bowen, who heads to the Punchestown Festival next week before the 2026-27 season begins at Uttoxeter on Saturday week. He has urged the BHA to rethink the summer jumps schedule to allow jockeys more time off. "I have two days off and then go to Punchestown, then it's literally all summer this time before our August break. The racing calendar is fairly stupid, if I'm honest," he said.
