News

Pembrokeshire jockey Sean Bowen secures an impressive 100th win

Published

2 years ago

November 18, 2023

SEAN BOWEN secured his 100th win in the 2023/24 Jump Jockeys’ Championship today, dashing into an impressive lead as he looks to become Champion Jockey for the first time.

The victory was aboard Booster Bob trained by Olly Murphy, at Uttoxeter.

With the best part of six months of the season still to come, the Welsh rider has created a sizable break on the chasing pack, with a 34-point lead on fellow jockey Harry Cobden who is closely followed by Sam Twiston-Davies and Brian Hughes.

The 26-year-old has caught the attention of racing fans as a future Champion Jockey having enjoyed great success on the Point-to Points as a 16-year-old. The son of Pembrokeshire-based trainer Peter Bowen, Bowen won the 2015 Champion Conditional Jockeys’ title in his first full season as a professional and has since established himself as one of Jump racing’s top riders. His personal-best of 125 winners last season saw him fall 40 short of reigning Champion Jockey Hughes, but he has made a lightning-fast start to this campaign. He could even overhaul last season’s tally before Christmas after a superb summer.

Speaking on 2023/4 Jump Jockeys’ Championship, Bowen told Herald Sport: “Champion Jockey is the main aim for the whole season. I have got a nice lead, which is ideal going into this time of year, but we are only halfway through so hopefully I have got plenty of nice yards to ride for and plenty of nice horses to ride, which will provide me with enough winners from now till the end of April.

Working towards his main goal Bowen has had luck at several tracks and looks forward to some upcoming rides: “I have had a lot of success at Aintree and Sandown, so I personally love those two tracks. So, I would say the Grand National Meeting and the Bet 365 meeting at Sandown are my two favourite meetings.

There are plenty of nice novices, but you don’t really know until you run them, so the one I am most looking forward to getting back on is Noble Yeats who was a good horse for me last season, winning the grade 2 chase at Aintree and then went on to finish fourth in the Grand National and Gold Cup, so he was one of my best rides last season and I am looking forward to getting back on him again.”

When asked if there was a ride he has his eye on, he said: “I think everyone in the weighing room probably has the same answer to this question and wants to ride Constitution Hill, he is the horse that everyone would love to ride.”

A partnership with powerful Warwickshire trainer Olly Murphy has been key with the pair sharing 68 successes and it gives him plenty of ammunition going into the main jumps season. Bowen’s father supplied him with more winners over the summer months than any other trainer and the likes of Harry Fry, Martin Keighley, Ryan Potter, Gary Hanmer and even Sir Mark Prescott have all been keen to use his services. Gordon Elliott has also been a big supporter on the Irish trainer’s raids to these shores. Sean’s strength in the saddle and fierce determination gives the chasing pack a massive task if they are to derail his quest to be champion jockey.

Chasing Bowen are Brian Hughes, Harry Cobden and Sam Twiston-Davies. Three-time Champion Jockey and current title holder Hughes spoke to Great British Racing and gave an insight into the season ahead. Hughes acknowledged the struggles that come with the change in weather, along with his hopes moving forward, he said:

“I would like to just get some racing in and try and race some winners to be honest it has been a quiet for a couple of weeks now.

“I like riding Minella Drama, although he is not the easiest customer in the world, but he has got plenty of ability, so I like riding him.”

The pair have had four starts together this year, two of which ended in success at the start of the year at Kelso and Musselburgh. More recently the Green Day Racing owned horse secured second place at Aintree at the end of October, proving to be a favorable duo.

On his tail is Sam Twiston-Davies who looks forward to the upcoming fixtures, with his personal goals in mind, he said: “I always look forward to the November Cheltenham meetings, which are good fun. I don’t have favorites; I am in a lucky position to ride at a lot of the good meetings and try and enjoy them all.

Getting 100 winners in the season is something I always work towards, but it can be quite tricky.”

With 66 wins on the leaderboard Twiston-Davies is already over halfway to achieving his goal for the season which may not be too far-fetched for the 31-year-old jockey.

Second on the leaderboard but with high ambitions to make his way to the top is Harry Cobden. At the age of 24 Cobden has topped £2 million in prize money in three of the last five years and has achieved 21 Grade 1 winners.

He is hopeful for the months ahead, with several promising horses to join him on the track, he said:

“My standout would be Bravemansgame. We have got a few good hurdlers this year, Rubaud is quite a good hurdler and is probably going to be going to the Christmas hurdle on Boxing Day, so he would probably be our standout hurdler this year.

We have also got a lovely bunch of Novice chasers, one of the best would be Stay Away Faye, I am looking forward to him. We have some lovely novice hurdlers this year as well, the two stand out ones would be Captain Teague and Inthewaterside.”

Talking goals and the months ahead in the championship Cobden told Great British Racing:

“I would love to ride 100 winners this season and if I could ride five grade one winners that would be that would be a little bonus!”

He continued: “I am going to try and win the championship, but I am 34 winners behind Sean Bowen, so he is going to be very difficult to catch up. It is a matter of how well I get on between now and the end of the season in sixth months. It is going to be a tough task, and I am going to need a lot of support, but he is definitely the one to beat.”

With similar thoughts to Bowen, Cobden would also like to get a ride on the extraordinary Constitution Hill.

The winner the Jump Jockey Championship will be crowned at Sandown’s bet365 Jump Finale on Saturday 27th April 2024.

To follow the Jump Jockey Championship for the rest of the season, visit Championships – Great British Racing

Business

Independent brewers join call for business rates relief as pub closures feared

Published

2 hours ago

December 13, 2025

Tom Sinclair

INDEPENDENT brewers have joined growing calls for urgent, pub-specific relief on Business Rates amid fears that community pubs across west Wales and beyond could be forced to close.

The Society of Independent Brewers and Associates (SIBA) has warned that changes announced in the Autumn Budget will see pub costs rise sharply over the next three years, with the average pub facing a 76% increase in Business Rates. By comparison, large warehouse-style premises operated by online and technology giants are expected to see increases of around 16%.

The issue will be discussed at a meeting taking place on Monday in Saundersfoot, where local publicans, small brewers and business representatives are due to come together to examine the impact of rising Business Rates and escalating operating costs. The meeting is expected to focus on the future sustainability of community pubs, particularly in coastal and rural areas where they often act as vital social hubs as well as key local employers.

Independent breweries are particularly exposed, SIBA says, as the vast majority of their beer is sold through local community pubs. Many small breweries also operate their own pubs or taprooms, meaning they are hit twice by rising rates. Some independent brewers have reported rateable value increases of up to 300%, creating new costs they say will be extremely difficult to absorb.

New industry research published on Thursday (Dec 12) suggests that introducing a pub-specific Business Rates relief of 30% from April 1, 2026 could protect around 15,000 jobs currently under threat in the pubs sector and help prevent widespread closures.

The call for action follows an open letter sent last week by SIBA’s board, expressing deep concern at the impact of the Budget’s Business Rates decisions on the hospitality sector.

Andy Slee, Chief Executive of SIBA, said: “The last orders bell is ringing very loudly in our community pubs after the shock changes to Business Rates in the Budget.

“Publicans and brewers feel badly let down by a system that still isn’t fairly addressing the imbalance between big global tech companies and small business owners.

“We were promised proper reform of Business Rates in the Labour manifesto last year and a rebalancing of the tax regime, but this has not been delivered. Pubs therefore need urgent help to address the planned increase in costs through a pub-specific relief, followed by full and meaningful reform.”

Those attending Monday’s meeting in Saundersfoot are expected to consider how local voices can feed into the national debate and press for urgent action to protect community pubs across Pembrokeshire.

Community

Annual charity carol service raises funds for good causes

Published

2 hours ago

December 13, 2025

Tom Sinclair

MID and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service held its annual Charity Carol Service on Wednesday (Dec 10) at Ebeneser Baptist Chapel in Crymych.

The event brought together members of the local community alongside Fire Service staff for an evening of carols, readings and festive refreshments, marking the Christmas season in a warm and inclusive atmosphere.

This year’s service supported two important charities — the Fire Fighters Charity and Cancer Research Wales — with all proceeds going directly towards their ongoing work.

A total of £597 was raised on the night, which will be shared equally between the two charities.

The Service thanked the congregation at Ebeneser Baptist Chapel for hosting the event, as well as everyone who gave their time, support and generosity to make the evening such a success.

Local Government

Call for Return of Salt Tip in North Pembrokeshire to Improve Winter Road Safety

Published

2 hours ago

December 13, 2025

Bruce Sinclair - Local Democracy Reporter

A PROPOSAL for the reinstatement of a salt tip in North Pembrokeshire to improve road safety during snowy and icy conditions has been put forward by local councillor Huw Murphy.

At the December meeting of Pembrokeshire County Council, Cllr Murphy called for a review of the council’s current weather strategy, highlighting the need for an auxiliary salt tip in the north of the county. His motion, which was supported by senior councillors, aims to address the challenges faced by motorists during severe winter weather.

Cllr Murphy’s motion emphasized the importance of having a reserve salt tip available to ensure primary routes remain clear and accessible during snow and ice conditions. This would allow emergency services to respond to calls, key workers to reach their workplaces, and essential vehicles like HGVs to access farms for activities such as milk collection.

Historically, a salt tip was located near Crymych, which proved invaluable for gritting roads, particularly the A478 between Crymych and Cardigan, and between Crymych and Clunderwen. These roads, often treacherous during snowy weather, have caused difficulties for HGVs, coaches, and school buses in the past.

The proposal stresses that a new salt tip in Pembrokeshire would allow for quicker and more regular gritting, making roads safer for all users, especially during the harshest winter conditions. Cllr Murphy also highlighted that recent heavy snowfall exposed weaknesses in the current gritting strategy, particularly in the northeast of Pembrokeshire and the Preseli Mountains, which are most prone to severe weather.

The motion also called for prompt gritting and the deployment of snow ploughs on key routes, including the A478, A487, B4332, and B4329, which are vital for the local communities in the northeast and Preseli areas.

The county council’s Cabinet will now consider Cllr Murphy’s motion for further review.