Encompassing an impressive profession as a journalist, writer, historian, and in distinguished service and management to racing establishments, the late Edward L. Bowen will likely be honored with the Eclipse Award of Advantage in recognition of a lifetime of excellent achievement within the Thoroughbred business.
Bowen’s contributions will likely be celebrated on the fifty fifth Annual Resolute Racing Eclipse Awards on Jan. 22 on the Breakers Palm Seaside in Florida.
Devoting greater than 60 years to chronicling the numerous sides, personalities and wealthy historical past of Thoroughbred racing and breeding, Bowen, who handed away in January 2025 at 82, was editor-in-chief of The BloodHorse journal, authored greater than 20 books, and later was president of the Grayson-Jockey Membership Analysis Basis. Bowen additionally served for 35 years on the nominating committee for the Nationwide Museum of Racing and Corridor of Fame and was intricately concerned within the Eclipse Awards from its inception in 1971, writing the opening remarks to every ceremony and writing scripts for all finalists movies.
“Ed’s accomplishments in our sport are readily recognized,” stated James L. Gagliano, president of The Jockey Membership. “Merely put, as a Thoroughbred breeding and racing journalist, Ed was peerless. And whereas he was maybe the game’s biggest historian, his contributions to the well being and welfare of the breed by means of his a few years at Grayson-Jockey Membership Analysis Basis had been a capstone of an excellent and dynamic profession.”
Over the course of his life, Bowen gained respect and admiration from the many individuals whose lives he touched and the friendships that endured. He’s remembered as a mentor, trainer, and nice storyteller, and infrequently in an attractive and amusing method.
“Ed was the best Turf historian and chronicler of the Thoroughbred business. Interval,” stated Kimberly S. (Herbert) Brown, a BloodHorse author from 1980-2010, and founding father of the The Horse: Your Information to Equine Heathcare. “He wished tales advised with accuracy and coronary heart. Ed taught his workers to be curious, to be dedicated to excellence in every story, and to be higher with every deadline.”
Bowen was born in Welch, W. Va., in 1942, and grew up in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. He started driving horses as a youth and through summers whereas attending the College of Florida. It was in Florida that Bowen labored on the Solar-Sentinel newspaper. In 1963, he obtained a job at BloodHorse and transferred to the College of Kentucky, the place he studied journalism.
After a two-year stint as editor of the month-to-month Canadian Horse journal, Bowen got here again to Kentucky and took the managing editor’s place at BloodHorse. In 1987, he turned editor-in-chief. He labored at BloodHorse till 1993.
“He cherished horses, and he cherished horse folks. Each story. He lived it,” Bowen’s spouse, Ruthie, advised BloodHorse. “He adopted the races on the weekend and despatched emails to folks once they gained. He cherished the game. He preferred the man on the barn, he preferred the house owners, he simply cherished the entire deal.”
In 1994, Bowen made a profession shift, when he was named president of the Grayson-Jockey Membership Analysis Basis.
Throughout his 24 years at Grayson, Bowen helped propel the group to exceptional success, which included elevating $22 million for analysis initiatives for the equine species. In every of his years on the basis, it was capable of bestow $1 million for equine analysis.
“I can consider no different one who promoted not solely the horse, but additionally horse racing greater than Ed Bowen,” stated Dell Hancock, former Grayson chair, and present director. “Via his pen and his work on the Corridor of Fame, he acknowledged the folks and the horses that need to be revered. His work on the Grayson Basis did nothing however make the world safer and higher for our equine athletes. Ed was at all times receptive and keen about any initiative that raised consciousness that analysis is the trail to raised well being and soundness; and he was at all times appreciative in addition to protecting of the analysis and the way the Analysis Advisory Committee labored. He intuitively knew what was proper for the muse and what’s proper for our horses. Grayson wouldn’t be the identical group it’s with out the enter of Ed Bowen.”
Along with Grayson, Bowen’s impression on the Nationwide Museum of Racing and Corridor of Fame was additionally vital. He was a museum trustee and served as chair of the Corridor of Fame Nominating Committee. He additionally chaired the Joe Hirsch Media Roll of Honor Choice Committee and served beforehand on the Pillars of the Turf. Bowen was chosen for induction into the Corridor of Fame as each a member of the Media Roll of Honor and a Pillar of the Turf in 2025.
Brien Bouyea, director of communications for the Nationwide Museum of Racing and Corridor of Fame, stated: “Ed Bowen contributed to the game of racing in numerous methods. The Nationwide Museum of Racing and Corridor of Fame particularly benefited from his knowledge and keenness for the sport for many years. Ed chaired the Corridor of Fame Nominating Committee from 1987 by means of 2024 and led varied different committees with distinctive management, high communication abilities, and an infectious persona. Ed was a good friend to everybody and his contributions to racing and the Museum won’t ever be forgotten.”
Bowen was acknowledged because the Honored Visitor of the Thoroughbred Membership of America in 2022.
He additionally obtained many awards for his writing, together with an Eclipse Award for journal writing in 1992, the Nationwide Turf Writers Affiliation’s Walter Haight Award, Kentucky Thoroughbred House owners and Breeders’ Charles Engelhard Award, amongst different honors.
