Ride of his life: jockey Hugh Bowman’s country childhood
JOCKEY HUGH BOWMAN’S COUNTRY CHILDHOOD FOR THIS TOP JOCKEY, A CONNECTION TO HORSES BEGAN EARLY ON IN LIFE AT THE FAMILY FARM NEAR DUNEDOO, NSW.
THE WORLD’S TOP-RATED jockey Hugh Bowman was just 13 years old when he decided on his future career. “When I went to boarding school and was away from horses, I knew within six months that I wanted to be a jockey. My heart was set on it,” the 38-year-old recalls. “I had no experience with racing at all at that stage. Mum and Dad took us to Randwick one day and pretty much as soon as I saw the jockeys walk out I knew that was what I wanted to do.” Little did he know that just over two decades later, after establishing himself as one of the industry’s elite riders, Hugh would ultimately be partnered with the beloved bay mare Winx, who has won 26 consecutive stakes races to date (including 19 Group 1 races). Last year Hugh was named Longines World’s Best Jockey after winning 10 of the Top 100 Group 1 races, including six riding Winx. “I never did imagine this, and sometimes I have to pinch myself, but on the other hand I never thought I couldn’t do it. I’ve always strived and whatever achievements I’ve made there’s always more to do,” Hugh says. A connection with horses began early for Hugh, growing up on the family’s 1000-hectare farm near Dunedoo in central NSW. The Bowman family’s long association with shorthorn cattle, merino sheep and horses dates back to the 1830s and continues to this day. “When I was growing up, horses were a huge part of the working farm and it remains that way,” Hugh adds. “Polocrosse and campdrafting... basically, you name it, we did it as kids.” Hugh lived with his parents, Jim and Mandy, and sister Kate, at Cairn Hill, a cattle and sheep property, until he was eight. The family then moved to Burrgoen, between Mendooran and Coonabarabran. His parents returned to the family farm Merotherie in 1993, the same year Hugh went to The Scots College in Sydney. After leaving school, Hugh secured an apprenticeship with Bathurst-based trainer Leanne Aspros and her husband, former champion jockey Billy. Hugh was determined from the outset. “When I started in April 1997 I had three goals: to be the champion apprentice in the district, which I was; to be the champion apprentice in Sydney before I finished my apprenticeship, which I achieved in 2000; and to ride a Group 1 winner. That happened when I was 23.” In the final two years of his apprenticeship, he joined Ron Quinton’s stables in Sydney and later gained attention with sprinters such as Exceed and Excel, going on to win 78 Group 1s throughout his career so far. “I love the competition, but I love the horses and the opportunity to ride the best horses,” he says. Hugh now lives in Coogee, NSW, with his wife Christine, 36, and their daughters, Bambi, almost five, and three-year-old Paige. They own a farm near Dunedoo with Hugh’s cousin Stuart, but a hectic schedule means he rarely gets to visit. “My dream is to spend more time in the country in years to come. As grateful as I am to be in my position — I’ve worked so hard to be here and I’m very proud of that — it’ll come and it’ll go. Family is the most important thing to me.” > Hugh Bowman is expected to be riding in The Star Gold Coast Magic Millions Raceday in early January 2019.
“MY FATHER IS extremely horse-orientated and my grandfather was also. My grandfather and great uncle rode as amateur jockeys, as well as my father and uncle. They’ve all had a huge influence in the local show society, as members of the Royal Agricultural Society of New South Wales. Thumbelina was my first pony and she was the same age as me. She passed away when I was 21 and she still holds a soft spot in my heart. Her progeny continue to be bred at the farm and lots of kids have grown up riding her offspring. When I was 10 years old I started riding a grey horse called Simon. He was a decent size without being too big, and we learnt together. Simon was a more active and agile type and my skills improved a lot with him; then I got to the stage where I was able to develop and improve his skills, too. He was a vital part of my growth as a horseman. I would say it was more my father’s good management than good luck, although I didn’t see it at the time. I was a member of the local pony club and under strict instructions to continue until I was 15, then I could make my own decision. It was very much a family thing, with my cousins and sister. Dad still runs the property on a horse, which is rare in this day and age. With horses you have to be working with them all the time to get the best out of them. I did a lot of cattle and sheep work as a child, and spent a lot of time working with dogs. It’s been a long time since I worked in that environment, but it’s natural for me. We had another property, Snake Gully, along the Golden Highway, which is where my father lived as a child. We used to drove the cattle from Merotherie to Snake Gully regularly. I’d be up at daylight to take the cattle and by my early teens I was doing it on my own. It wasn’t always easy and that gave me an unbelievable grounding. Honesty was number one in our family, as well as the common rural values of respect for animals and others. Also, if you don’t put in the work, things won’t get done. I think that’s bred into you in the country.
I was very determined as a child — I always loved sport and had a very competitive nature — that’s in my DNA. I had a certain amount of natural talent at different things that gives one confidence, but I worked on my skills at whatever it was I put my mind to. When I was really young I wanted to be a professional athlete. So when the tennis was on I wanted to play tennis, if the footy was on I wanted to play footy! I wanted to play for Australia, of course, not just the local competition. Dad was a very good polocrosse player, so in the winter months that’s what we did, especially when I was old enough to play as well. Once I started polocrosse I had a bit of an edge because of my horseriding ability and hand-eye coordination. It fed that desire to be an athlete and later to be a jockey. It was a very strong rural community and there were a lot of young males my age, so there was strong sporting competition and the parents were close. That great community feeling continues today. It’s the one thing that I actually wish I could give my girls — that country upbringing — and I am hoping in time I’ll have more opportunity to do that, but with the amount of travel I do it’s very difficult. I went to boarding school at The Scots College in Sydney, and while there were times of homesickness, I really enjoyed it. Mum and Dad were reluctant for me to leave school at Year 11. We arranged for a meeting with Leanne and Billy Aspros. Billy was the champion jockey in the Bathurst/ Central Districts area for about 15 years and his wife Leanne was a trainer. Through my parents’ connections they were able to secure an apprenticeship for me with Leanne and I had the opportunity to learn from Billy as well. It was a great grounding. I had ridden in picnic races, but I had no stable experience whatsoever, so I had to learn quickly. It was a huge culture shock and change of way of life, but I’m very grateful for the opportunity I was given.