Jockey hoping for a cracking Easter meet
WELSH jockey Sean Bowen says he is determined to take his efforts of winning the Jump Jockeys Championship right to the final furlong – and hopes Ffos Las Racecourse will play a part in that at Easter.
Bowen, who hails from Pembrokeshire, would love nothing better than to bag a few winning races at Ffos Las on Easter Sunday, March 31.
Any victories would provide a special local feel to the annual Easter Family Fun Day, which returns with a wide variety of attractions.
On the course, there are seven topquality races that always provide Welsh owners, trainers and jockeys with the opportunity to show off the best of the sport in Wales.
It can be argued that no-one is flying higher at present than Bowen, who is battling it out with rival Harry Cobden to become champion jockey.
Cobden currently holds a narrow lead of 11 wins, having won 147 races this season, compared to 136 for Bowen, son of well-known Welsh trainer Peter Bowen.
In December, Bowen held a healthy 31-win lead over Cobden, but a fall at Aintree on Boxing Day resulted in a knee injury that put him out of action for seven weeks.
Refusing to throw in the towel, Sean battled back to fitness and picked up where he left off, with a string of wins that has kept Cobden from disappearing over the horizon.
Now, he is still within striking distance of becoming the first Welsh rider to win the championship for 70 years. The title race runs until April 27 and Bowen said: “It’s going to be tough, but there is still time to get back in front. My main aim this season has been to be champion jockey. I am a little bit behind after missing a few weeks, so I need to look around and try to get a few winners wherever I can. If that proves to be Ffos Las on Easter Sunday, then I would be delighted. Ffos Las is a great racecourse and I really enjoy riding there.”
He added: “The facilities are superb and it’s a fantastic track for the spectators. With Chepstow in the east, it means we have two superb venues in South Wales for people to go along and appreciate everything that a day at the races has to offer.”
Away from the races, there will be plenty to keep families entertained at the Family Fun Day.
It won’t be just the sporting heroes who are on parade, but favourites from the superhero world will be there, including Captain America, Spider-man, Ironman, Batman, Wonder Woman and Dr Strange. So, too, will be the favourite characters from Frozen, such as Elsa and Anna.
There will be rides, Easter egg hunts, and competition prizes for the best-dressed young superheroes.
All the attractions are included in the admission price and under-17s go free with an adult.
Gates open at 11.40am on Easter Sunday, with the last horse race at 5.10pm. There is a scheduled bus to Ffos Las from Llanelli train station that leaves at 11.10am and returns from the course, departing at 5.35pm.
Adult admission price is £24, with free entry for accompanied children under 17, tickets are available from the course website.