Bowman seals fourth Sydney jockeys’ premiership

Tom Walter - Saturday July 29

Sometimes the only motivation a sportsperson needs is to prove someone wrong.

Advertisement
Hugh Bowman after winning his fourth Sydney jockeys' premiership aboard Prada Miss at Rosehill on Saturday. Photo: Steve Hart

Hugh Bowman's watershed moment came on a plane trip to Brisbane during the Queensland winter carnival when he was reading an article that rated him Sydney's third best rider behind Kerrin McEvoy and Brenton Avdulla.

At the time, winning a fourth Sydney jockeys' premiership was not at the forefront of Bowman's mind but that all changed once he had read the words of form analyst and Australian Bloodstock Director Luke Murrell.

"Hugh gets all the best rides normally and is a world class rider but on recent form and the last 12 months is still behind the top two boys," the article read.

With Avdulla comfortably clear in the premiership standings, Bowman, riding like a man possessed, set about overturning a deficit that was 11-1/2 wins at the beginning of June.

"I'll be honest that was pretty motivating," Bowman said.

"I thought well OK, let's see if I can get better."

By the fourth race at Rosehill on Saturday – the final meeting of the season, Bowman had sealed the title with an early double and finished the day 4-1/2 wins clear of Avdulla, who was chasing his first premiership.

"I understand Brenton would be disappointed but I think he'll be a better rider for it," he said.

"There's nowhere to hide at the top level and I found that out the hard way.

"I think Brenton will look back on it as his best season to date by a significant margin and I think he should be very proud."

Bowman's day in the saddle got off to a flyer when so You Think colt D'argento, trained by his biggest supplier of winners in Chris Waller, saluted in the Welcome Rydalmere CBC 2YO Handicap (1500m) as an odds-on favourite 

But it was a little-known Armidale trainer by the name of Stirling Osland, who provided Bowman with the knockout punch when three-year-old filly Prada Miss defeated older rivals in the TAB Highway Plate (1500m).

While Bowman acknowledged Waller's contribution to his stellar season, he was also quick to recognise the support of his family, trainers such as Kris Lees, Peter and Paul Snowden, and James Cummings, as well as his manager Bryan Haskins.

"A big thank you to everyone who has supported me over the last 12 months. It's been another great season but most of all the support of my darling wife Christine and two young children," Bowman said.

"Obviously there is Chris but a lot of other trainers also who sit and wait for my services so they are to thank equally because they work in with me.

"Without them I couldn't be here. The same with my manager Bryan Haskins who does a fantastic job getting me on the right horses."

Bowman is probably entitled to kick up his heels for a couple of weeks now but instead, he will fly to Papua New Guinea on Sunday to walk the treacherous Kokoda Trail, a 96km hike that was traversed by soldiers during the second World War – all in the name of charity.

"I'm going to need lots of energy from what I understand but I'll just eat a normal meal tonight. The days of starving myself and then indulging are over," he said.

The walk will raise funds for the National Jockeys' Trust and Mark Hughes Brain Cancer Foundation. For more information on how you can donate to the cause visit www.walking2help.com.au.

Advertisment
More Reading...
Impressive First winner for Armory
Mapperley Stud stallion Armory recorded his first winner on Sunday when his two-year-old daughter Silhouette raced to a dominant victory in the Fusion Electrical Two-Year-Old (900m) at Trentham.
From FNQ To Sha Tin - Aussie Bred Sprinter Wins G2 Premier Bowl
Some horses arrive in Hong Kong with a very different back story - Fresh from winning the $20million The Everest with Ka Ying Rising, David Hayes was back in the winner’s list at Sha Tin on Sunday when Tomodachi Kokoroe won the Group II Premier Bowl (1200m).
Transatlantic Takes $1million Five Diamonds Prelude
Transatlantic’s lucrative spring carnival continued at Randwick with an arrogant victory in the $1m Five Diamonds Prelude.
New Cup Goal for Wolfgang
It may not be the Cup target they were aiming for, but Wolfgang put himself firmly into Gr.3 Martin Collins New Zealand Cup (3200m) calculations following his victory in the SkyCity Hamilton Waikato Cup Prelude (2400m) at Te Rapa on Monday.
Yes Yes Yes 3YO Shooting for G2 on Monday
Last year’s Gr.2 James and Annie Sarten Memorial (1400m) set Savaglee up for Group One glory in Christchurch, and Matamata trainer Pam Gerard is hoping to follow a similar blueprint in 2025 with her Yes Yes Yes 3YO Affirmative Action..
Sires With Winners - Monday October 27
Here is the full list of 27 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Sires With Winners - Saturday October 25
Here is the full list of 136 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Sires With Winners - Sunday October 26
Here is the full list of 74 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Melbourne Cup Dream Alive for Kiwi Stayers
Gr.1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) dreams are still alive for connections of Kiwi stayers Mark Twain and Trav.
One to Watch – Sha Tin – You Don’t See That Every Day!
The Mark Newnham stable has been on fire in Hong Kong since the start of the new season and the former Sydney trainer produced a super promising winner at Sha Tin on Sunday by Capitalist that did everything wrong and miraculously still won the race!