Chepstow Pertemps MPS Maiden Open National Hunt Flat Race
Drama in the last as the broken rein flaps loos under Mot A Mot's mouth, James Bowen performs wonders to steer him round all the way and win. RIDE OF THE SEASON 25-2-21
An extraordinary winning ride occurred at Chepstow Racecourse recently (25 February), when jockey James Bowen was victorious, despite his right rein snapping shortly after the start of the race.
He was riding Mot A Mot, a five-year-old trained by current champion trainer Nicky Henderson and owned by Walters Plant Hire and Potter Group, in the two-mile Pertemps MPS Maiden Open National Hunt Flat Race.
(Image credit: Bill Selwyn)
The grey, by Martaline, set off keenly before the tack malfunction and initially hung right and even came close to smashing through a set of wings, but James expertly steered him around the left-handed track using all of his horsemanship skills to win impressively by six lengths.
“The rein snapped on the first circuit, and I had one rein all the way around,” said 18-year-old James. “I’ve never had that happen to me, and I never want it to happen again. It went where I was holding it, so I’m glad there were no jumps there — but fair play to the horse, he’s very genuine.”
Unsurprisingly, with no rein, it took a while for James to pull his mount up, but with the help of fellow jockey Paddy Brennan to whom James called to for assistance, he managed to finally dismount in the back straight. Paddy then then ponied Mot A Mot back to the winners’ enclosure aboard Onagatheringstorm (pictured below).
“A big shout out to Paddy Brennan for stopping him after the line — I’d still be doing laps of Chepstow now,” joked James.
(Image credit: Bill Selwyn)
Continued below…
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Former web features editor, point-to-point editor and digital racing editor
Gemma is an experienced journalist, who was a member of H&H staff from 2014 to September 2025. She is passionate about all equestrian sports, including racing and point-to-pointing. She has enjoyed riding out for top trainers Nicky Henderson and Charlie Appleby and took part in a charity Flat race at Epsom in August 2018. Gemma’s has reported from numerous five-star events around Britain and Europe, as well as European championships.
