It has been more than two decades in the making, but Hugh Bowman is set to fulfil a long-held ambition of riding at the Warrnambool May Racing Carnival.
The Hall of Fame rider will be one of the star attractions at this year’s three-day carnival, which starts in exactly four weeks, on May 2.
The 41-year-old, who was raised in Dunedoo, 338km north-west of Sydney, said he has admired the Warrnambool Carnival, which is headlined by the 5500-metre Grand Annual Steeplechase, since the early days of his riding career and is excited to finally get the chance to be a part of it.
“I remember as I was coming through the grades and going to Wagga and riding there, I used watch the Warrnambool Carnival, which is usually run at the same time of the year or in the same week, and always hoped that I might get there one day,” Bowman said.
“The time has finally come, the opportunity works (this year) and I’m really looking forward to going.”
The impetus for attending this year was an informal invitation from Colin McKenna, a prominent local businessman and racehorse owner, at last week’s Inglis Easter Yearling Sale.
Bowman will be a special guest, along with Ciaron Maher, at a charity function on Monday, May 1 before taking rides across the week.
While Bowman will only be riding in flat races at the renowned jumps gathering, he said his appreciation of that discipline grew after riding in Europe and he even considered pursuing his jumps licence.
“The first time I was really into to the jumping was when I went to Ireland in 2003 and then when I rode in England a few years later,” Bowman told RSN927’s Racing Pulse.
“Not that I ever went to the jumps races, but I used to watch in awe. They’re remarkable athletes and because of that I got to know a bit more about it and then followed it more when I got back to Australia.
“There were times when I seriously contemplated going through the process of getting a licence but, I must admit, the ambition to do so has waned a bit as I’ve got older.
“But I’m very interested in seeing the Grand Annual run, just what a test of stamina and jumping ability (it is).
“It’s more than just a race, it’s an event. I’m excited to be going down there.”
