Imagine the heartbreak: James Bowen, a rising star in the world of jump racing, watched the Cheltenham Festival from the ski slopes. Yes, you read that right. He missed the biggest week in the sport, and the sting of it was palpable. He described the experience as 'a bit of a stab in the gut.'
Bowen, at just 24 years old, has been making waves. He's currently enjoying a fantastic season, already nearing a half-century of wins and building on his personal best of 85 wins in the 2024-25 season. But his journey hasn't been without its bumps.
He recently sat down with the Racing Post for a major interview, reflecting on his season's highs and lows. He discussed riding Constitution Hill at Punchestown and his ambition to surpass his older brother, Sean, as champion jockey.
One moment, he was trapped under a sedated horse; the next, he was celebrating a win. He also missed the entire Cheltenham Festival due to a whip ban.
"Missing Cheltenham was really gutting," Bowen admitted. "I've always been pretty good with my whip, but I just had one of those days where I probably just took it too far. It’s not the way I ride, and I haven’t had a whip ban since, but the circumstances just didn't suit me."
He had hoped to ride Doddiethegreat, and seeing the horse win the Pertemps without him added to the disappointment. Bowen did attend the first day of the festival but then had to leave to go skiing for the rest of the week. However, his passion for racing shone through, as he watched every race from the slopes.
This wasn't Bowen's first Cheltenham setback; a broken arm sidelined him in 2023. He's eager for a win at the festival and wouldn't mind if the Jockey Club considered shifting the event to run from Wednesday to Saturday.
"I think it would probably be a good thing," he said. "I'm not one of those people who loves to criticise change – if they want to give it a go I wouldn’t be against it at all."
But here's where it gets controversial... Bowen's comments on potentially changing the Cheltenham schedule could spark debate. Many traditionalists might be against the change, while others, like Bowen, are open to it.
And this is the part most people miss... Bowen's perspective highlights the emotional rollercoaster of a jockey's life. It's a sport of immense highs and crushing lows, and his story is a testament to his resilience.
What do you think? Do you agree with Bowen's perspective on the Cheltenham Festival schedule? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
