Young Welsh Jockey James Bowen is one of the top 10 shortlisted for the BBC Young Sports Personality of the Year.
Hailing from Little Newcastle in Pembrokeshire, James Bowen has made quite the stamp on the horse racing industry since becoming a jockey just two seasons ago. As most young jockeys James started out on the Point to Pointing circuit as soon as he was 16 and turned heads by not only becoming the National Novice Champion and the Welsh Gentleman’s Champion but setting a British record for wins by a novice rider in one season by riding 30 winners.
Turning conditional at the end of the Point to Point Season, James became attached to the Champion Trainer Nicky Henderson’s yard where he tasted more success in his first season by winning the 2018 Lanzarote Hurdle on William Henry and was a close second in the Ultima Handicap Chase at Cheltenham Festival on Shantou Flyer.
Once again, James broke the history books when landing the Coral Welsh Grand National last season at Chepstow Racecourse, becoming the youngest jockey to win the prestigious race at the age of just 16, on this occasion he was partnering the Gavin Cromwell trained Raz De Maree. At the end of the 2017/18 season James was crowned Champion Conditional Jockey and at present lies sixth in the Stobart Jump Jockeys Championship for this coming season, just two places behind older brother Sean.
The winner of the BBC Young Sports Personality of the Year will be announced at the BBC Radio 1 Teen Awards on Sunday 21st October. Good Luck James from all at Chepstow!
