Bowman Confident Lost And Running A Genuine Everest Horse

But, there are a few things missing on the mantle, one being a victory in The Everest. It’s eluded him in five attempts. He’ll be back in the irons Oct. 15 aboard Lost and Running, a 6YO gelding who ran 4th in the 2021 Everest, breaking from the TAB slot.

“He's a progressive horse,” Bowman explained. “I rode him in The Everest last year — he's a horse with extreme ability. He would have to reach a personal best to win the Everest, but I think that's achievable.”

For a 42-year-old rider who’s bagged 2,333 career trips to the winner’s ring and delivered A$233 million in prize cash, those are strong words, Nature Strip, Mazu, Masked Crusader and Eduardo notwithstanding.

Bowman’s partnership with trainer Chris Waller has been the stuff of racing legends. From their time together with Winx to other Graded stakes triumphs, it’s been a strong combination. Bowman is approaching 400 wins while teaming with Waller, including 38 Group One scores.

“Chris Waller is an ultimate professional; he leaves no stone unturned,” Bowman said. “I think our personalities and temperaments complement each other. 

“Though we’re certainly very different in many aspects of the way we do and think about things in other areas, we are very much the same. I think we're both very driven and we work well together.

“Above all, we have huge respect for one another, and no doubt that goes a long way in having a great partnership over a long period of time.”

Bowman’s best quality may be patience when it comes to being in the saddle.

Looking at Nature Strip, currently the best sprinter in the world following his recent success at Royal Ascot, Bowman knows he must tackle the issue early.

“You've got to ride your horse to its strengths,” he explained. “For Lost and Running, to be competitive against Nature Strip, it's important that I try and stay within three or four lengths of that horse.

“But it's also important that Lost and Running is comfortable at his own pace as well. If I try and go the speed of Nature Strip, Last and Running will not run to his best. So, you've got to apply to your horses’ strengths.

“Ultimately, for me as a rider, I want to win as much, if not more, than everybody else. My job is to get my horse to compete and run the best race it can. If I can do that, that's my job done. Hopefully, that comes out with a winning result. If not, we've got to accept that, whether it's the Everest or the Melbourne Cup or any race, you can only ride the horse to run as well as it can run.”

Bowman beams when discussing the festivities and energy surrounding The Everest. 

Once a bit skeptical of the “carnival” conditions of the race, it’s certainly not his opinion these days.

“You don't need any encouragement when you're racing for that sort of stakes.” 

Bowman said “What I've noticed about the Everest … I’ve never felt any experience or crowd vibe quite like it, and it’s a very young crowd. 

“It gets the young people there, gets them interested. And they're not just there for the party. They're there for the race day; they know about it. I've noticed that it also brings the younger people out, sort of leading up to it as well. So it's just been a fantastic initiative. And it's great to be a part of it every year.”

Bowman, who’s had one scary mishap in the barrier “many years ago” — when he was flipped backwards and then struck several times by his mount as he was stuck in midair in the back gate —says that racing is actually safe when things go well.”

“There are instances where mistakes are made by jockeys or other facets that may cause an accident, but ultimately, you know, you could have an accident driving a car, too,” Bowman reasoned So the risks are obviously much higher, and if you do fall, there's really not a lot of protection there.

They've got a vest and a skullcap of course. The reality is that when you do fall, you're

gonna get hurt. It's an unfortunate part of, what we do as jockeys, as athletes, but we're all very aware of it.

“I think in the time that I've been riding, safety measures — both on and off the horses — in the way thoroughbreds are vetted and prepared has increased in the last 20 years.”

Bowman claims “no balance” between professional obligations, travel and family life. 

Bowman and his wife Christine, herself a former jockey, have two daughters, Bambi and Paige.

“The industry is as demanding as it takes,” he said. “To be at the level of work that we're at takes some presence and dedication. You've got to be involved. I'm very lucky to have such a supportive wife and someone who really understands what it takes.”

Bowman is named after his great uncle, James Hugh Bowman, a private in the Australian Army. He was killed in action serving in the Pacific Theater during World War III.

Bowman prefers to not ponder on those family elders who didn’t get to see him ride.

“Instead of thinking about negative aspects of those who didn’t see me ride, I'd prefer to look on the other side of the coin and appreciate who has,” he explained.

This includes his parents, who’d certainly get a thrill come October if their son could take down the sixth running of The Everest. Is Lost and Running THE one?

“I really do think that he's a horse on the way up. Win, lose or draw, he's going to be very competitive for the ride.

“With an early prep, I'm sure he can run a better race than last year. Whether that's good enough to win, we'll have to wait and see. 

“But I think he's the right horse for the race.”