Hugh Bowman Picks Up 2017 Longines Award for World’s Best Jockey
After a 2017 season that will go down in the history books, Hugh Bowman didn’t need an award to confirm that he was the best Jockey in the World. However I am sure that he felt very satisfied on the 8th December as he clutched his shiny new Longines watch and stunning crystal trophy as the confirmed winner of the Longines best jockey award.
The thirty seven year old Australian jockey is pretty experienced having raced over eleven thousand times in an illustrious career and he put all of his knowledge to work this season as he picked up winner after winner to storm ahead of the rest of his competition. Pleasingly for all involved, the Longines award does not rely on a judging system or on the opinion of experts, rather it is a quantitative ranking system which ensures that the best jockey does indeed scoop up the prize based on how they have performed over the year.
After a 2017 season that will go down in the history books, Hugh Bowman didn’t need an award to confirm that he was the best Jockey in the World. However I am sure that he felt very satisfied on the 8th December as he clutched his shiny new Longines watch and stunning crystal trophy as the confirmed winner of the Longines best jockey award.
The thirty seven year old Australian jockey is pretty experienced having raced over eleven thousand times in an illustrious career and he put all of his knowledge to work this season as he picked up winner after winner to storm ahead of the rest of his competition. Pleasingly for all involved, the Longines award does not rely on a judging system or on the opinion of experts, rather it is a quantitative ranking system which ensures that the best jockey does indeed scoop up the prize based on how they have performed over the year.
Bowman blew away the rest of the competition, he took home ten first place trophies which is double the amount of his nearest competitor (and previous winner of the award) Ryan Moore. He also added three second places and one third place to secure a whopping total of one hundred and forty two points, eighteen ahead of Moore in second place and not far from twice as many as third placed racing legend Frankie Dettori.
As if to drive home the point and to prove himself to be the best, Bowman won the highly prestigious Japan Cup on the 26th of November with its $7.6 million dollar prize fund and a field chocked full of other top level jockeys. Despite the World’s best jockey being decided the season is not yet over so make sure to exercise the option to bet on horse racing and ensure you season ends as well as Bowman’s. There remain races at Aintree and Sandown in the near future as well as a few more meetings before we close the door on 2017.
Horse racing is in a real purple patch with so many great jockeys, horses and trainers making Bowman’s win even more special. In his whole career he has now taken home first place almost two thousand times he has an amazing rate of placing in the top three in forty-two percent of his races, this award just confirms how special he is. He will be hoping to continue and build on this year in the 2018 season when he knows he will face stiff competition from jockeys hoping to take his crown.
Whatever happens, this is a year he will always remember as will his many fans in Australia. If you see that Bowman is in the lineup before a race you can be sure that he is a pretty safe and worthwhile bet. He has the ability to stay so calm and focused even if he starts badly or is struggling in the middle of a race. He is truly a jockey for all season and that is why it is brilliant to see him rewarded on the biggest of stages.