HORSE RACING: Sixth Welsh jockey award for Sean Bowen as the Bowen family are honoured at Chepstow

Sean Bowen has been named National Hunt Jockey of the Year at the Welsh Horse Racing Awards for a sixth time, on a night when his whole family had something to celebrate.

The Pembrokeshire rider, 28, beat his brother James and Ben Jones to the award at Chepstow Racecourse on Thursday night.

Bowen, the reigning two-time champion jockey, said Welsh racing is in good health. “The quality in Welsh racing’s actually very, very high at the minute in jockeys, trainers and owners,” he said.

He added: “I’m quite lucky to have won it for a sixth time. So, it’s good.”

Peter and Karen Bowen take Welsh racing’s top honour

His parents, Peter and Karen Bowen, who trained for decades at the family’s Yet-y-Rhug stables near Letterston before retiring, received the Outstanding Contribution to Welsh Racing Award, the night’s top honour.

James Bowen was given a Special Recognition Award, as was Ben Jones, the Carmarthen jockey whose father Dai is clerk of the course at Chepstow.

Eldest brother Mickey was runner-up for National Hunt Trainer of the Year, which went to Evan and Cath Williams.

Sean said: “I’ve had incredible support from a lot of people in that room. Obviously, mum and dad being the head of all that and then a lot of owners have come and joined us tonight.”

He added: “I’ve ridden winners for every major Welsh trainer, so I’ve been incredibly lucky to have the support of them all. It’s great to have everyone in one room for a night.”

All three brothers were on the shortlists announced last week. They grew up riding at Ffos Las, the family’s home track.

Ffos Las builders Walters Plant Hire named Owner of the Year

Walters Plant Hire, the company of Dai Walters, whose group built Ffos Las, was named Owner of the Year.

David Evans won Flat Trainer of the Year and Daniel Muscutt Flat Jockey of the Year, while Kelly Thomas of Maywood Stud took Breeder of the Year.

Coral Welsh Grand National winner Haiti Couleurs was Leading National Hunt Horse, with All Ways Glamorous the Leading Flat Horse.

Sean Bowen: “I’m not used to being second”

The awards came on the eve of the Welsh Racing Festival, three days of jump racing at Chepstow that starts today and runs until Sunday.

Bowen rode four winners at last year’s festival but expects a tougher start this time. He rides 40-1 shot Queenie St Clair in the 3.12pm at Chepstow today.

He said: “It will be more difficult to start this time as I’m on a 40 to 1 ride, Queenie St Clair, for the big one, but I’ll be giving it my best.”

He goes into the meeting second in the jockeys’ championship, behind Harry Skelton.

He said: “I’m not used to being second. Harry’s had an incredible start [but] I want to be champion jockey again.”

Ffos Las holds its own jump season opener on Wednesday 14 October.