McGovern association with the Bowe family

James Bowe, the breeder and trainer of the horse which became one of the country"s favourites, Limestone Lad, passed away last week after a long illness. The racehorse was partnered on many of his famous wins by Beauparc native jockey Shane McGovern, who recalls that he won 13 times with Limestone Lad, many of those victories were at Navan where the horse was accorded a special appearance for a retirement lap of the parade ring after he finished racing. At the weekend, he described Mr Bowe as a very good trainer who always kept the horse in great shape, and whose instructions were very good and easy to follow. 'He was a very quiet man, and it was very much a family business. There was always a family meeting with everyone"s views taken on board regarding the horses,' stated McGovern. The Bowe stable produced such notables as Limestone Lad, Solerina, Sweet Kiln and Florida Coast and James Bowe was always happy to let other family members take the limelight in the winners" enclosure. Limestone Lad became a favourite for a front-running style and never-say-die attitude, and had a total of 35 wins, which included four grade one races, three of them in the Hatton"s Grace Hurdle at Fairyhouse. The most memorable of these was in 1999, when McGovern and Limestone defeated the 1/7 favourite, Istabraq, by five and a half lengths. He went on to win again in 2001 and 2002. Limestone Lad was retired six years ago, and the Bowe family enjoyed further success with Solerina, which had 22 successes, including another hat-trick of Hatton"s Grace hurdles and two more grade one successes. The two horses were paraded at a family day at Navan racecourse some years ago. McGovern recalled his first ride on Limestone Lad was over a decade ago. He had ridden Political Animal to victory for Paddy Mooney at Clonmel, with Limestone Lad in third place. Then, at Uttoxeter for a Midlands National ride for Michael Cunningham, he got a call to come home for a decent horse. It was the start of a fruitful partnership. Paul Carberry also enjoyed a successful stint with Limestone including his last at Leopardstown at Christmas 2003, while both Martin Mooney and Barry Geraghty also recorded successes on the Bowe stable star. Last week, the late Mr Bowe"s son, Michael, who took over the training licence in 2007, recorded a winner at Fairyhouse on Easter Monday, when Kevin Clarke from Drumree partnered Coolcashin across the line in the Ladbrokes.com Hurdle. From Gathabawn, Co Kilkenny, the deceased held his first training permit in 1969 and enjoyed success as an owner, rider and trainer in the 1970s. He is survived by his wife, Phyllis, sons, Michael, James and John, daughters, Geraldine, Helen, Agnes and Esther, and other relatives including sister, Mrs Margaret Morgan, Old Road, Dunsany. His funeral took place at Gathabawn on Saturday.