Trainer Olly Murphy has praised champion jockey Sean Bowen after the pair secured a double at the first Welsh Racing Festival at Chepstow. Bowen, who leads this year's title race, won the Grade Two Persian War Novices' Hurdle on Sticktotheplan on Friday, then followed up with a 12-1 victory in the Wasdell Group Silver Trophy Handicap Hurdle aboard Rambo T on Saturday, edging out his brother James.
Murphy highlighted Bowen's ability to revive horses that appear beaten. "A lot of these horses that come from nowhere, you think they are down and out," Murphy said. "But they have been given a chance for half a mile down the back, they fill their lungs up and are able to come home strong."
Bowen, from a racing family, became Murphy's preferred jockey in the 2022-23 season. Last term, 103 of Bowen's 180 winners came from Murphy's Warren Chase yard. Murphy described Bowen as the "go-to man" for big Saturday races, but noted he also excels on lesser horses. "Being a jockey is getting a horse to go forward and getting in their head. They run for him," Murphy added.
Murphy credited Bowen with improving his own training decisions. "He does bring out the best in me as a trainer, he has made my decision making a lot better in the last few years," Murphy said. "He has the hunger and fire in his belly."
