The name Bowen featured heavily in the racing headlines during the 2024/25 National Hunt campaign, thanks to the exploits of the newly crowned Champion Jockey Sean Bowen. However, Sean is far from the only Bowen with racing coursing through his veins. Brother James is also a highly successful rider, whilst father, Peter, has plied his trade as a trainer for over 30 years.
This week brought the news that Peter Bowen’s 30-year stint as a licence-holding trainer had ended, with Peter handing the licence over to his son Mickey.
Off the Licence, but Still in the Game
The news of Peter Bowen’s decision to take a step back doesn’t come as a great surprise. After all, the season just gone represented the first campaign in his career in which he didn’t train exclusively under his own name. Having shared the licence with his father in 2024/25, Mickey has now set out on his own – not that his dad will be too far away should the 35-year-old need any advice.
His name may no longer be on the licence, but Peter Bowen quickly shot down the suggestion that this move signalled his retirement. When summing up the decision, the proud Welsh handler stated:
“Nothing will change. Everything will be the same.”
With Peter Bowen looking set to remain active within the Little Newcastle Yard, you might wonder at the motivation behind the change. It seems that the primary driver in his decision was to allow Mickey a well-deserved stint in the spotlight.
“Mickey deserves the glory now, because the other two boys have had a lot of glory and the reason I’m taking a step back is because I want him to have the same.”
A Fine Example to Follow
Handing over the reins to the man who served as joint trainer in 2024/25 should represent a smooth transition, and Mickey could scarcely have asked for a better tutor.
Despite his protestations at the retirement, in the official sense, at least, Peter Bowen is no longer a trainer. Whilst not quite ready to take up semi-permanent residence in the armchair, when Bowen does reach for the pipe and slippers, he will have a fine career to look back upon.
Bowen passed his licence down the line having amassed 1,105 winners over jumps, an additional 38 on the flat, and raked in well over £10m in total prize money. With 72 wins and £890,000 in prize money, 2006/07 was his most successful season, whilst his local track of Ffos Las was his happiest hunting ground (121 winners).
Six of The Best
The bulk of Bowen’s wins came in relatively run-of-the-mill handicap contests. However, that is the case for most National Hunt trainers, and Bowen was more than capable of making his presence felt on the biggest stage when granted suitable ammunition. When reflecting on his time at the track, Bowen may remember the following stars with particular fondness.
Stately Home
Following mediocre spells at the yards of Richard Lee, Noel Meade, Nerys Dutfield, and Rod Millman, Stately Home joined Bowen as a four-year-old in 1995. Arriving with only a Class 5 win to his name, Stately Home soon sprouted wings in Pembrokeshire. By the time of his tragic death in 2001, he had won 13 times for the yard, including the Grade 1 Scilly Isles Novices’ Chase in 1997.
Always Waining
Bowen lists his joint record of five Topham Chase wins as his finest racing achievement. Always Waining was the horse responsible for three of those victories, having come home in front in 2010, 2011, and 2012 to become the first three-time winner in the history of the Aintree event.
Take The Stand
Second in the Cheltenham Gold Cup, the Aintree Bowl, the Old Roan Chase, and the Rowland Merick Chase, the admirable Take The Stand was often the bridesmaid on the big stages. However, he still won 16 times for Bowen, including the 2004 edition of the Summer National.
Al Co
Successful for Emmanuel Clayeux before joining Bowen, Al Co had achieved a peak hurdles rating of 139. He would go on to be an even better chaser. The highlight of his four wins over fences for Bowen came when causing a 40/1 shock in the 2016 edition of the Scottish Grand National.
Souffleur
Useful on the flat for Michael Bell, Souffleur looked like a hugely promising recruit to the Bowen yard in 2007. He wasted little time delivering on that potential – winning four of his first seven starts, including the 2007 Grade 1 Challow Novices’ Hurdle.
Snoopy Loopy
The last of Bowen’s three Grade 1 victories was provided by this popular chaser, who took advantage of Kauto Star’s unseat to spring a 33/1 surprise in the 2008 Betfair Chase.
Mickey Makes a Solid Start
It is quite the act for Mickey Bowen to follow, but the new man at the helm made an encouraging start. Tuesday, 6th of May, represented Bowen’s first day with runners since taking over the licence, as the horseboxes set off for Fakenham, Ffos Las, and Worcester.
A force to be reckoned with!@Sean_Bowen_ and Mickey Bowen share in the celebrations after a first success for Mickey as a trainer… pic.twitter.com/CSirH4heKK
— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) May 6, 2025
Having witnessed Kate Madrik finish second at Fakenham and Lermoos Legend fill the same position at Ffos Las, Bowen may have wondered if this would be a day of near misses. Happily for the operation, the first winner wasn’t long in coming, as the well-supported Gavin stormed home at Ffos Las to score by a resounding nine and a half lengths. One winner down, only a thousand or so to go until Mickey matches the record of his father.
