Mickey Bowen is the son of legendary trainer Peter Bowen. Mickey became a partner in the training licence in 2024 alongside his father before taking over as the sole trainer for the 2025 season. Mickey learned his trade in Ireland under Willie Mullins as his assistant. The 2025/26 season brings a fresh face to the forefront of British racing.
Despite a new face leading the legacy, the yard has a rich history. In Peter’s 30-year reign, he has trained over a thousand winners and over £10 million in prize money. Among his finest accolades are winning the Scottish Grand National with Al CO in 2014, The Bet 365 Gold Cup with Henllan Harri in 2017 and winning the Grand Sefton Chase with Mac Tottie in 2021. The yard has a strong track record in producing horses who become regulars in the winners’ enclosure.
The name Bowen is not only legendary in the trainers’ world, but both Sean and James Bowen are currently in demand jockeys. Sean Bowen claimed his first Champion Jockey title last year, with the same expected again this season. As of the 2025/26 season, Sean leads the championship with his brother James in second. It is a long season ahead, but the Bowen brothers, on both sides of racing, are set to get multiple big winners.
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A Look Back on Last Season and What’s Ahead for 25/26
Since taking over the sole licence in time for this season, Mickey Bowen currently heads the Jump Trainers Championship, already training 33 winners from 128 runs.
Flying Fortune was a stable star last season. She won all five of her starts, most notably in the Persian War Novices’ Hurdle at Chepstow, which was a Grade 2 affair. She went clear 2 out, going on to win comfortably. After the race, it was said she wouldn’t run again till after Christmas, but she has made no reappearance. Upon reappearance, she has very serious claims to some top races. Potentials on the hit list include the Greatwood Hurdle at the Cheltenham November meet or the Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham festival.
Last season Queen Kate caught my eye in the Nickel Coin Mares at Aintree. She came fourth in a big field going off at 50/1. Not the pace of the winner, but made good headway in the final furlongs. A win on each side of this race showed a touch of class early on in her career. The 25/26 season should bring around a progressive season, with many hoping for a promising start to her jumping career.
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Fairlawn Flyer had a weak start to the 24/25 season, but by the end was winning in Class 5,4, and 3s. An older horse at 9 years old, but a progressive end to the season opens up some big potential handicap day outs. Already this season has scored twice and placed in the other three starts. Running over the 3-mile distance, there are some classy handicaps at Doncaster, Perth and Cartmel.
Oliver’s Travels has been a consistent staying handicap chaser who should carry on recent form to be competitive in 3m handicaps. With a progressive official rating, a step up in class will be imminent. If recent form continues, a potential Rowland Merick could be a shout. Should all the pieces fall into place, it might be worth a Cheltenham entry, with the Ultima being the obvious choice—still a young horse with a few more seasons to go in his career.
Statuario is the final horse I want to mention. He is 10 years old, but a recent win in the Perth Gold Cup in June proved he still had the talent. His run in the Summer Plate Handicap Chase at Market Rasen might have proven too classy. It was a Grade 3 contest, a significant improvement from the Class 2 affair that came before. Another thing to note was the step down in trip from 3 miles at Perth to 2M 5F at Market Rasen. Seemingly, a Perth specialist winning five of his eight career wins there. While age will undoubtedly pose some questions more than before, there is evidently still fuel left in the tank. Throughout his career and looking at previous form, it would be hard to make a case for entering any other winners’ enclosure apart from Perth. Two cross-country runs at the winter Cheltenham meets suggest another visit this time round would be somewhat wasteful when other, more winnable races can be targeted.
Mickey to Bo-win plenty more races
In his first season as the sole trainer, the focus will be on developing his career and continuing the early-season form. As for the big festivals, there is little doubt that the Bowen name will be in the winners’ enclosure; whether it is Mickey or not, it will be interesting to see. He is a very talented young trainer who will undoubtedly follow in his father’s footsteps. He has a talented stable with multiple strong stayers. What will particularly catch my eye is the juveniles in his yard and what horses they turn out to be. The 2025/26 season is already off to a good start, but alongside achieving winners, it will also be a season of building.
This has been another instalment of the Looking Ahead to the Jump season series. To read previous instalments like Nicky Henderson, Paul Nicholls, and Dan Skelton, click HERE. The next trainer to be covered will be James Owen.
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