James Bowen

Mark Dooley avatar

Written By:

Updated:

Welcome to our jockey profile of top jumps jockey James Bowen. 

We look at his top wins, current rides, history and more.

Find out more about James Bowen:

James Bowen Booked Rides

Here are all the James Bowen horses running today and future entries:

An unexpected error occurred.

If no entries are shown above then James Bowen has no confirmed future rides.

James Bowen Recent Form

Here are all of James Bowen’s recent finishing positions.

An unexpected error occurred.

The list above shows all of James Bowen’s recent racing stats, runners, and form guide to see if the horse jockey is in good form.

Key Stats of James Bowen

Jockey Profile of J.Bowen

Son of trainer James Bowen and younger brother of jockey Sean, a career in racing was almost a foregone conclusion.

He learned his trade in pony racing and point-to-point.

JAMES BOWEN

In 2018, aged just 16, James became the youngest-ever winner of the Champion Conditional Jockeys’ Title. He beat the previous record of brother Sean (2014-15).

He also became the youngest rider to win the Welsh Grand National at Chepstow Racecourse.

James has been attached to the powerful stable of Nicky Henderson in Lambourn since he joined him as a conditional rider.

James Bowen – Key Jockey Stats

James Bowen has followed in the footsteps of his elder brother Sean. Both enjoyed instant success as a conditional, Sean riding 51 winners and being surpassed by James with 58 winners in 2017-18.

The following season he reached a career-best 72 winners with his star in the ascendancy.

His returns for the following two seasons were disappointing, 33 and 35 respectively, but he has made a bright start to 2021-22.

James Bowen’s Big Race Wins

Bowen quickly bagged his first Listed race when riding Exitas to victory in the Byrne Group Handicap Chase at Ascot in November in 2017. Nicky Henderson was keen to exploit Bowen’s riding allowance and was rewarded with notable handicap victories for Thomas Campbell, William Henry and Jenkins.

William Henry’s victory came in the competitive Lanzarote Handicap Hurdle at Kempton in 2018.

Bowen really burst on to the scene when riding veteran Raz De Maree to victory in the 2018 Coral Welsh Grand National.

He again showcased his talent when riding Potters Corner to victory in the 2019 Midlands Grand National at Uttoxeter.

He has enjoyed Grade 2 success for Henderson aboard Mister Fisher (Rossington Main Novices’ Hurdle and Lightning Novices’ Chase) and Call Me Lord (International Hurdle).

James Bowen’s Most Famous Victories

Bowen’s extraordinary Welsh Grand National victory on Raz De Maree in January 2018 had many scribes marking him down as a future champion jockey. He was 16 years old at the time, just three years’ older than his mount! Raz De Maree had finished second in the Chepstow marathon a year earlier and trainer Gavin Cromwell snapped up Bowen’s services to secure his 5lbs claim.

Potters Corner landed another marathon chase for Bowen in the Midlands Grand National in March 2019. Bowen had been aboard when the horse fell in the Eider Chase at Newcastle Racecourse and blamed himself for asking a relatively small horse to do too much at his fences. Allowed an extra stride, he was foot-perfect and galloped on resolutely to beat Ms Pafois by three lengths.

Although a win in a Chepstow bumper does not usually hit the headlines, Bowen showed incredible horsemanship to win on Mot A Mot in February 2021. The horse snapped a rein in the early stages of the race so Bowen had to ride the race, effectively with no steering throughout. Trainer Nicky Henderson was full of praise for his rider, calling it one of the rides of the season.

James Bowen’s Rides

To check out Gavin Sheehan’s booked rides check out racecards today and tomorrow’s racecards with various suppliers. If you are looking to place a bet on this great jockey with a betting website be sure to check our guide to the best betting sites.

Summary of Jumps Jockey James Bowen

James Bowen has not quite managed to live up to his dream start in racing but remains as hungry for success as ever.

He is still very young and has the support of Nicky Henderson and his father Peter so it would be no surprise to see him making his mark this season.

Other Top Jump Jockeys

Check out our profiles of other leading jockeys.