Sean Bowen's family have made a significant change to their stable management just days after the 27-year-old was crowned champion jump jockey for the 2024-25 season. Bowen secured the title with 180 winners from 902 rides at UK racecourses, capping the achievement with victories in the Irish Grand National on Haiti Couleurs and the bet365 Gold Cup on Resplendent Grey.
His father Peter, who has trained for 30 years, has handed over the licence to his elder son Mickey. The transition takes effect immediately, with Mickey fielding seven runners at Fakenham, Ffos Las and Worcester in his own name. Peter said: 'Mickey is taking over and it'll be nice for him to have a shot at it. It's something I have been thinking about for some time.'
The Bowen family stable in Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire, enjoyed its best season in six years, with Peter and Mickey sharing the licence for the first time. Peter's record-setting three-time Aintree Topham Chase hero Always Waining remains in retirement. Peter added: 'My wife Karen has put as much into it as I have and the boys have done so well. It was amazing to see Sean take the title after he just missed out the previous year.'
Mickey, 30, begins his tenure with Kate Madrik in the 2.45 race at Fakenham. He said: 'Dad has trained over 1,000 winners and probably doesn't get the credit he deserves. We've shared our best season for a while and hopefully we have a few chances to start off with a winner.'
The stable changes come after a brilliant week for the family, with younger brother James winning the Grade One Ballymore Champion Four Year Old Hurdle on Lulamba at the Punchestown Festival, where Sean also rode a winner. Mickey, who spent six months working with champion trainer Willie Mullins, added: 'It's sad to see dad retire but he will be keeping busy. To start off with he's making a trip to Worcester for our runner there!'
