Jockey Rocco Bowen seeking fresh start in Indiana

SHELBYVILLE, Ind. (June 12, 2020) –Jockey Rocco Bowen has returned to the saddle in a big way. The Barbados native arrived in the Midwest to prepare for the upcoming 18th season of Thoroughbred racing at Indiana Grand and before the meet resumes Monday, June 15, he has been able to ride at nearby tracks, a feat that has placed him in the winner’s circle three out of his first four starts.

Bowen’s love of racing began at a young age and by 12 years old, he was exercising horses in his native country. He entered jockey school at the age of 15 and after fulfilling a contract to ride in Barbados for a year and a half, he boarded a plane at the age of 17 and moved to Hastings Park in Western Canada, winning 23 races the first year.

Bowen’s career took off after he made a move to Emerald Downs in Washington State a few years later. He immediately shot to the top of the standings and broke several riding records. After securing two 100-win seasons, he was in pursuit of another record to become the only jockey in the history of the track to have three 100-plus wins in one season.

Life changed Sept. 8, 2018. Bowen was involved in a racing incident. He was sitting on 97 wins for the meet and although he was well ahead of the rest of the jockey colony for the title, it was very important to him to get the record to have three 100-plus seasons. So, after a few days off, he came back and finished up the last three weeks of the meet, completing the season with 109 wins and getting the record. But the injuries were still there, forcing Bowen to the sidelines to deal with recovery, a process that lasted a year and a half.

“I was off for 640 days,” said Bowen. “After dealing with doctors and insurance and everything else, I had pretty much given up. My weight had gone up to 152 pounds. Then, the virus (Covid-19) happened. Because of special people in my life, they convinced me to return and I started working to come back.”

Bowen began the regime on Total Life Changes and by the time he had reached the Midwest, he was fit and back to riding weight. The initial plan was to go to Arlington Park, but that plan fell through, leaving him with an option for Indiana.

“I sat down with my friends and we looked at three agents in Indiana based on percentages, and we contacted John Herbstreit,” said Bowen. “I got on my first horse at Indiana Grand May 22. John had me scheduled to start riding at Belterra June 4.”

Bowen’s first start back was a second-place finish aboard Dingdingdingding. The very next day he won his first race back aboard Hyndford for trainer Genaro Garcia at Belterra followed by another winner five days later. Then, he made his first career start at Churchill Downs Thursday, June 11, winning aboard White Wolf for trainer Paul Holthus.

“That first win back felt like a $50,000 race,” said Bowen. “Then, I’ll have to admit, after I won the race at Churchill, I cried all the way back to the jock’s room. It’s been such a difficult time and it just means so much to me to be back riding.”

Although Bowen will be based at Indiana Grand, the new racing schedule of Monday through Thursday will allow the 31-year-old to continue to make trips to Belterra and Churchill. He has already connected with Indiana Grand’s defending training champ, Garcia, and will ride four for him on the opening day card Monday, June 15.

“I’ve never ridden at three tracks in one week before, but I plan to go to Belterra every week and I’ll go to Churchill too on those days if I have the business. I just feel that I am hungry (for success) right now and I want to work hard. This has been a Godsend for me (to come to Indiana). It’s just a fresh start.”

Along with a fresh start comes new goals. Bowen aspires to be the third person from Barbados to “make my country proud,” following in the footsteps of performer Rhianna and Jockey Patrick Husbands. Although he has a son, Rylan, who lives in Canada and a daughter and son, Shayden and Caden, respectively, who live in Washington, the remainder of his family is still rooting him on from Barbados as Bowen is closing in on 1,000 career wins, currently sitting on 963 wins.

“There are so many people that have helped me and been on my team,” said Bowen. “My mom and dad (Nancy and Roscoe) have done so much for me and there are so many friends and other family members that support me. I want to make them proud.”

Indiana Grand will kick off the 94-day racing season Monday, June 15, which extends to Wednesday, Nov. 18. Racing will be conducted Monday through Thursday beginning at 2:20 p.m. Four all-Quarter Horse Days have been added to the schedule for July 4, Aug. 8, Oct. 3 and Oct. 24. At this time, spectators are not allowed on property until further notice in association with state-wide regulations due to Covid-19 restrictions.

Jockey Rocco Bowen has won three of his first four starts back since returning from a year and a half layoff due to an injury. He will ride full time in Indiana in 2020. Photo by Coady Photography