John Bowers

John Bowers

Article by Alan Trout

John Philips Bowers rode two winners on the Flat as an apprentice in the late 1930s, returning more than a decade later to add one victory over jumps.  

He was apprenticed to successful trainer Harvey Leader at Newmarket and had his first win in the Norby Apprentice Handicap at Thirsk on October 29, 1938. His mount, Assyrian, was trained by Leader and had a length to spare over his nearest rival at the winning post. Sadly, none of the thirteen jockeys who rode in the race made much of an impact on the sport. 

The same comment could be made regarding the dozen who rode against John when he won his second race, aboard a horse named Heavy Weight, who landed the Milton (Apprentice) Plate at Doncaster on April 1, 1939 by four lengths. He had a few more rides thereafter but there was no breakthrough. 

However, some years later, he was granted a licence for the 1950/51 National Hunt season, and eventually rode his third and final winner when the 14-year-old Cottage Welcome scored by three lengths in the Walton Selling Handicap Chase at Towcester on April 25, 1953. Trained by former jockey Cliff Beechener, Cottage Welcome had been kept busy as this was his eleventh run of the season. Three years earlier he had taken part in the 1950 Grand National when, ridden by Charlie Hook, he fell at the first fence.  

John Bowers held a licence until the 1955/56 season but rode no more winners.