Sport

Pembrokeshire’s Sean Bowen bet on the right sport with horse racing

Published

9 hours ago

September 26, 2024

Sean Bowen once said he never liked horses or racing. He had much more of an interest in football. With that being said, as time went by, his decision to place his bets on horse racing over football paid off. His younger brother James Bowen, a champion jockey, once said that his brother didn’t want to be led around on a horse. He wanted to roam free, so going into horse racing was the logical choice.

Sean followed his brother into horse racing

Sean followed his brother into horse racing when he found that he was stuck in the house on his own. While his brother was out riding in the mornings, he found that he had nobody to play football with, so he had no choice but to get into horses as well, even though he was allergic. The brothers soon found that, although they weren’t interested in horses initially, their decision to go all-in paid off.

They spent the summers racing each other and although this wasn’t approved of by their parents, it did help to give them a huge career, as they are now known around the world as being championship jockeys. If you happen to be a gambler, you’ll probably know about his win at Southwell. His mount, Letterston Lady, won the mares-only contest. Events like this tend to draw a lot of attention as bookmakers release free bets and promotions to draw people into the fold. There are also full websites dedicated to listing all the current promotions from different websites too, allowing people to bet on something that they might not have done otherwise.

Although Letterston Lady ended up emerging victorious, Bowen did wait until the final furlong before he asked his horse to race through the gap. By doing this, she was able to gain a total of four lengths, putting her rivals far behind. The victory was impressive, with Micky and Peter Bowen training her for the Peter Bowen Racing Cup.

Bowen’s ability to know when to push the horse and when to hold back is unlike anything else. He knows his horse and although he may be known for making risky decisions, most of the time, they work to his advantage. His knowledge of the horses he works with is also incomparable, as he invests a lot of time learning who he is riding, what their strengths are, and how he can get the best performance on different types of ground. For a man who is allergic to horses, he’s certainly passionate.

One of the best jockeys to come out of Pembrokeshire

You’ll notice his horse running in maroon and yellow, which are associated with the family. Sean’s winner, Roll With It only won the Cartmel finale by a few strides and hit the front in the nick of time. Beating Saint Bibiana, who was trained by Georgina Nicholls, was huge for him and the horse. It also helped to cement his legacy as being one of the best jockeys to come out of Pembrokeshire. His parents, Karen and Peter Bowen are still known as being some of the best horse trainers to this day, with Sean going on to win some of the biggest races in the UK in recent years. Some examples of his achievements include him placing fourth at the National last year with Noble Yeats. He also rode 51 winners in his very first year of racing, in 2015.

His brother, James Bowen rode a total of 57 winners in his very first season, not to mention that he was also the youngest winner of the Welsh Grand National. This year, at the National, Sean rode The Goffer who is an outsider. He was trained by Gordon Elliot, who is based in Ireland. James rode his father’s horse, Mac Tottie another outsider but with a strong spirit. Although neither emerged victorious, their performance was as good as ever.

With the jockey making waves in the sporting sector and a passion for horses, it’s safe to say that Sean Bowen is one of the most notable jockeys of this era. His local ties to Pembrokeshire help to bring a lot of pride to the area as well, as he continues to blaze a path for himself within the sporting world. His passion for what he does is evident, but it was a close call. He nearly didn’t go into horse racing at all, because if he wasn’t stuck at home as the result of his brother, he might never have picked up the reins.

Sport

Football in Wales: From grassroots to professional

Published

2 days ago

September 25, 2024

Staff Writer

When people think of Wales and sports, they immediately think of rugby. However, football also holds a special place in the hearts of Welsh fans, with a rich history and deep-rooted passion that runs parallel to its more hands-on counterpart. From local grassroots clubs to professional players on the global stage, football is woven into the fabric of Welsh culture.

Grassroots football in Wales

Grassroots football forms the foundation of Welsh football, offering young talent vital opportunities to develop. Local clubs and leagues across the country play a key role, while the FAW Trust supports initiatives like coach development and youth programmes.

Key areas for producing top footballers include North Wales, where clubs like Wrexham AFC play a role in development. In South Wales, clubs like Cardiff City and Swansea City invest in academies, consistently nurturing players who excel domestically and internationally.

The Cymru Premier plays a crucial role in developing local talent, offering players a platform to hone their skills before advancing to higher levels. The New Saints FC, one of the league’s most successful clubs, consistently invests in youth talent and nurtures future professionals.

Welsh players in the Premier League and Championship

In recent years, Welsh footballers have made waves in the Premier League and Championship, competing at the highest levels of English football.

Brennan Johnson, now at Tottenham Hotspur, is one of Wales’ top rising talents. His standout performances at Nottingham Forest showcased his versatility and goal-scoring ability, making him crucial for both club and country.

At Nottingham Forest, Neco Williams continues to make a strong impact, contributing both defensively and offensively from the right-back position.

In the Championship, Aaron Ramsey has returned to Cardiff City, bringing leadership and experience to his boyhood club. Meanwhile, Daniel James, on loan at Leeds United, remains a key player, using his pace to stretch defences.

Ben Cabango has developed into a dependable defender for Swansea City, and Harry Wilson continues to impress at Fulham with his creativity and set-piece expertise.

Upcoming fixtures & odds

Fans of Cardiff City and Swansea City are eagerly anticipating the next South Wales derby, one of the most intense fixtures in the Championship. Cardiff’s next home game against Watford presents a chance for them to secure crucial points, with promotion hopes still within reach despite their mid-table position. Swansea, meanwhile, will face Stoke City at home, looking to regain consistency and push for a top-six finish.

In League One, Wrexham AFC continue to impress following their promotion from League Two. Their upcoming games against favourites such as Birmingham and Huddersfield will be pivotal in their quest for promotion yet again, with odds placing them as strong contenders for success this season.

Under the high-profile ownership of Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, Wrexham’s journey remains one of the most exciting stories in the league.

On the international stage, Wales are currently competing in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, with important matches ahead. According to TalkSport Betting, their odds vary depending on the opposition, but there’s optimism around their ability to build on recent strong performances. With key players like Brennan Johnson and Neco Williams in the squad, Wales will be hopeful of securing qualification.

Conclusion

Football in Wales continues to thrive, from grassroots development to professional representation. With Welsh players excelling in both the Premier League and Championship, and teams like Wrexham, Cardiff, and Swansea keeping Welsh football firmly on the map, the future of the sport in Wales is bright.

As domestic and international fixtures unfold, Welsh fans have much to look forward to, both on the local pitches and in the professional arenas.

News

Crymych Football Club to host free mental health awareness training

Published

3 days ago

September 23, 2024

Tom Sinclair

A NEW mental health awareness training programme, developed in collaboration between the Football Association of Wales (FAW) and the DPJ Foundation, is set to launch at Crymych Football Club on Monday, 30th September 2024 at 6pm. The course is aimed at supporting both sports clubs and rural communities in understanding and addressing mental health challenges.

The training will take place at Crymych Football Club’s newly established clubhouse, located at the Crymych Arms, which was purchased by club members and supporters in October 2023. This initiative marks a significant step in promoting mental health awareness within the local community, particularly in sports and rural settings.

The course, which is free of charge and lasts between 1.5 to 2 hours, will cover a range of important topics including:

What is Mental Health?
How common is poor mental health?
Stigma surrounding mental health
Causes and identifying signs of mental health issues
Suicide awareness
Tips for effective talking and listening
Signposting and self-care strategies
Creating a supportive club culture

This training has been designed to equip members of sports clubs with the knowledge and skills to support themselves and their teammates. It is particularly beneficial for those in leadership roles, such as coaches, captains, and anyone responsible for the wellbeing of others.

Cris Tomos, a committee member of Crymych Football Club, emphasised the importance of the initiative: “This training is an invaluable resource for our club and community. It will not only raise awareness about mental health but also empower individuals to support one another in a meaningful way.”

Those interested in attending the session are encouraged to reserve their place by calling Crymych Football Club at the Crymych Arms on 01239 831435, or by contacting Cris Tomos directly on 07974 099738.

This event marks the beginning of a broader rollout, with the DPJ Foundation and FAW planning to offer similar training sessions to sports clubs and rural communities across Wales.

News

Sport and active lifestyles celebrated with Pembrokeshire’s Young Ambassadors

Published

4 days ago

September 23, 2024

Tom Sinclair

SPORT Pembrokeshire’s recent Young Ambassador Conference brought passionate and motivated learners together from 22 Primary schools.

The young ambassadors are dedicated to promoting sport and physical activity in their schools and communities.

Nearly 70 Bronze Young Ambassadors took part in a number of workshops delivered by the Sport Pembrokeshire team including understanding leadership, action planning and inclusive games inspired by the Paralympics.

The Year Five and Six pupils also took part in a first aid workshop and heard from two former Young Ambassadors – Carys Ribbon and Rhys Llewellyn – about their journeys with the Sport Pembrokeshire team.

Special Olympics Berlin Gold medallist, Bleddyn Gibbs, presented volunteer lanyards and activity booklets to all schools and pupils attending.

Sport Pembrokeshire Manger Matthew Freeman said: “Our Young Ambassadors are role models for their peers and help encourage more involvement in sport and physical activities and healthy lifestyles. It is fantastic to see them brought together to share ideas from across their schools.”

The Young Ambassador scheme is sponsored by Valero, and Stephen Thornton attended the conference to see the work the young people are doing.

Mr Thornton added: “This programme is an essential way of encouraging physical activity in schools and communities. Sport is often a way for young people to learn about achievement and well-being and participation leads to improved academic results. Valero is delighted to sponsor a project which helps to improve the health and well-being of young people in Pembrokeshire.”

There will be aSecondary Schools Young Ambassador Conference in October and any schools or pupils interested in more information can contact [email protected]