SEAN BOWEN is hoping to win the Grand National this Saturday, despite being allergic horses.
The 27-year-old will be riding 20-1 shot Three Card Brag at Aintree.
Sean Bowen is set to compete in Saturday’s Grand National[/caption]
Bowen, 27, is allergic to horses[/caption]
The Welshman, who will be riding for trainer Gordon Elliott, reached 1,000 winners back in February.
But life as a top-level jockey was not always on the cards for Bowen, despite his parents Peter and Karen being long-time trainers.
Speaking to the BBC, Bowen admitted: “I still am [allergic to horses] now a little bit, it’s a bit of a weird one.
“If dad would come in from clipping and there’d be horse hair everywhere, I’d be itching for days.
“Even now, sometimes if I spend all morning round horses, I’d be sneezing for the rest of the day.”
Despite his family’s connection to racing, Bowen preferred football as a kid.
But when his brothers stopped going for kickabouts with him, Bowen finally took up the family business.
He added: “I can’t say I grew up loving it. I enjoyed football until I was around 11. I started riding when I was about 10.
Grand National betting offers and free bets
“I suppose both my brothers got into riding ponies, and then I had no-one to play football with, so I had to get on the ponies instead.”
Bowen’s younger brother James will also be competing in this Saturday’s Grand National.
The 22-year-old will be riding Chantry House in the showpiece race.
On having his brother also riding in the National, Bowen added: “It’s amazing – very few people get to have their brother in a changing room with them every day.
“When he started riding, he pushed me to do better.
“It’s something quite unique that we’re both doing something that we’re both successful at.”
James Bowen will also be competing in the Grand National[/caption]