Bowen up for two awards on Welsh racing’s big night

TEENAGE Welsh jockey James Bowen has been nominated in two categories for this week’s inaugural Welsh Horse Racing Awards.

The 17-year-old rider, who won the 2017 Coral Welsh Grand National on Raz De Maree, has been nominated in the Jockey of the Year and the Rising Star categories.

James’ brother Sean is also in the final four for Jockey of the Year along with Adam Wedge and flat rider David Probert.

The Trainer of the Year title is between Evan Williams, Peter Bowen, David Evans, Tim Vaughan and Rebecca Curtis.

The winner of the Dunraven Group Welsh Champion Hurdle, Silver Streak, has been nominated in the Hurdler of the Year category, with another Evan Williams-trained horse Clyne. The other nominees are Push The Tempo, a winner of three races for Robert Stephens, and the Tim Vaughan-trained Debece.

The Flat Horse of the Year rests between the Ron Harris-trained pair Under The Covers and Glamorous Rocket, Gracious John, trained by David Evans, and Castlelyons from the Robert Stephens yard.

Nominations for Chaser of the Year include the Coral Scottish National winner Joe Farrell, the Market Rasen Summer Plate winner More Buck’s, the improving winner of four races, Beggar’s Wishes, and the enigmatic Buywise, who won the Veterans’ Chase final at Sandown in January.

Buywise owner Hywel Jones is nominated in the Owner of the Year category with Walters Plant Hire chairman Dai Walters, James & Jean Potter and Terry Reffell, an owner with David Evans.

In the Rising Star category, James Bowen is joined by fellow jockey Connor Brace and trainers Grace Harris and Robert Stephens.

The winners of these categories – and those of Stable Staff of the Year, Breeder of the Year and Lifetime Achievement will be announced at the awards ceremony at Chepstow Racecourse tomorrow night.

For tickets details contact www. chepstow-racecourse.co.uk