Jockey Bowen Achieves 1,000th Career Win

Rocco Bowen has learned that good things come to those who wait. The native of Barbados was sidelined from a riding incident in September 2018 and was patient to get back in the saddle. He accomplished that goal this past spring and made the choice to ride at Indiana Grand this season. The return has paid off in many ways for Bowen. He is now a member of an exclusive club of jockeys with 1,000 career wins.

Bowen had been inching toward the milestone, winning consistently until he got to his 999th victory Nov. 4. At that point, he was close in several of his 23 races, but it was a pick-up mount in the evening's ninth race at Indiana Grand aboard the Tim Glyshaw-trained Dox Folly that gave him the milestone Nov. 11.

"I even changed my boots today," said a smiling Bowen regarding the gap between wins. "This sign is going straight to my mom. Thank you to everyone. It's been such a pleasure to be here, and everyone has been so welcoming. I want to thank all the agents throughout my career and all the people that have been in my corner. This is for everyone that has been supportive."

One of the stables that supported Bowen's return to riding at Indiana Grand is the Paul Holthus Stable. Bowen was interviewed by Paul's wife, Nancy, who serves as the paddock analyst at Indiana Grand. She noted how pleased she was to do the interview to celebrate Bowen's milestone.

"You, Nancy Holthus, have been so welcoming," said Bowen. "You gave me the same confidence that my mom gives me, and she's 1,000 miles away. You encouraged me a few weeks ago when I was down, and I so appreciate that."

Bowen noted he has felt "at home" since arriving in Indiana.

"For some reason, this has felt like home right off the bat," added Bowen. "Indiana Grand has been so welcoming, and I'm glad to call this new place home. I hope to build my mom a house here, and now we are back on track for that."

Eric Halstrom, the vice president and general manager of racing at Indiana Grand, made the winner's circle presentation to Bowen following his win aboard Dox Folly. Bowen is currently among the top 10 jockeys in his first year riding in Indiana and earlier this season scored his first stakes win in more than two years at the track. His milestone win was the 36th of the meet, and he is less than $120,000 from reaching $1 million in purse earnings this season at Indiana Grand with five racing programs left for 2020.

In all, Bowen has accumulated more than $11 million in purses throughout his career since arriving in North America in 2007. Since that time, he has been among the top 100 jockeys nationally five times, with 2017 his best finish in 34th place among all riders in North America.