Hugh Bowman

Hugh Bowman is an Australian flat jockey from Dunedoo, New South Wales, who became internationally famous as the rider of Winx, the mare who won four consecutive Cox Plates from 2015 to 2018 and retired with 33 consecutive victories. His partnership with Winx placed him among the most recognised figures in world racing.

Bowman grew up in rural New South Wales and worked his way through country racing before establishing himself on the Sydney metropolitan circuit. His career was solid but not spectacular until Winx transformed everything. The mare's unbeaten run, which included 25 Group 1 victories, demanded a jockey who could manage enormous public expectation while making split-second tactical decisions on a horse the entire racing world was watching. Bowman delivered consistently, riding Winx with restraint through the early and middle stages before producing her devastating acceleration. His ability to keep her relaxed in the intense atmosphere of Cox Plate day at Moonee Valley was central to her sustained dominance.

Beyond Winx, Bowman has built a record that stands on its own merits. He has won The Everest, multiple Group 1 races across the Sydney and Melbourne carnivals, and has competed successfully in Hong Kong and Japan. His riding style is characterised by patience and balance; he sits still on a horse, uses his hands sympathetically, and trusts the animal beneath him to find the finish line. His rural background instilled a horsemanship that goes beyond race-riding technique. He understands horses as animals, not just as racing machines, and that understanding translates into a calmness in the saddle that horses respond to.

Bowman's 2026 targets will include the major Australian meetings, with The Everest and the Melbourne Cup as primary objectives during the spring carnival. He is also a regular at Royal Ascot and the Hong Kong International Races, where Australian raiders often feature. Fans can follow in Australia time.