The late Edward L. Bowen, who had an illustrious profession as a journalist, creator and historian, and demonstrated vital contributions and management to horse racing, can be honored with the Eclipse Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of his lifetime of excellent achievements within the Thoroughbred business.
Bowen’s contributions can be acknowledged on the fifty fifth annual Resolute Racing Eclipse Awards on January twenty second at Breakers Palm Seaside in Florida.
Mr. Bowen, who devoted greater than 60 years to documenting the numerous aspects, personalities and wealthy historical past of Thoroughbred racing and breeding, and who handed away in January 2025 on the age of 82, served as editor-in-chief of Bloodhorse journal, authored greater than 20 books and later served as president of the Grayson Jockey Membership Analysis Basis. Bowen additionally served on the Nominating Committee for the Nationwide Horse Racing Corridor of Fame and Museum for 35 years and was closely concerned with the Eclipse Awards from its inception in 1971, writing the opening remarks for every ceremony and scripting the movies for all finalists.
“Ed’s accomplishments in our sport are rapidly acknowledged,” mentioned Jockey Membership President James L. Gagliano. “Merely put, as a thoroughbred breeding and horse racing journalist, Ed was unparalleled. And whereas he was maybe the game’s biggest historian, his contributions to the well being and welfare of thoroughbreds over time on the Grayson Jockey Membership Analysis Basis had been the end result of a terrific and dynamic profession.”
All through his life, Bowen earned the respect and admiration of the many individuals whose lives he touched, and their friendships had been long-lasting. He’s remembered as a mentor, trainer, and nice storyteller, and in an typically partaking and entertaining method.
“Ed was the best turf historian and recorder of the thoroughbred business of his time,” mentioned Kimberly S. (Herbert) Brown, Blood Horse author from 1980 to 2010 and founding father of The Horse: Your Information to Equine Heathcare. “Ed needed tales to be informed precisely and with coronary heart. Ed taught his workers to be curious, dedicated to excellence in every story, and to enhance with every deadline.”
Bowen was born in Welch, West Virginia, in 1942 and raised in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. He began driving horses when he was younger and throughout the summers whereas attending the College of Florida. It was in Florida that Bowen labored for the Solar Sentinel newspaper. In 1963, he took a job at Bloodhorse and transferred to the College of Kentucky to check journalism.
After two years as editor of Canadian Horse Month-to-month, Bowen returned to Kentucky and accepted the place of managing editor at BloodHorse. Grew to become editor-in-chief in 1987. He labored at BloodHorse till 1993.
“He beloved horses, he beloved the individuals who experience them. All of the tales. He lived them,” Bowen’s spouse, Lucy, informed Bloodhorse. “He adopted the races on the weekends and emailed individuals when he received. He beloved the game. He beloved the barn guys, he beloved the house owners, he beloved the entire deal.”
In 1994, Bowen made a profession change when he was appointed chairman of the Grayson Jockey Membership Analysis Basis.
Throughout his 24 years at Grayson, Bowen helped lead the group to exceptional success, together with elevating $22 million for equine species analysis initiatives. In every year he was with the inspiration, he was capable of donate $1 million to equine analysis.
“I am unable to consider anybody who promoted not solely horses however horse racing greater than Ed Bowen,” mentioned Del Hancock, former Grayson chairman and present director. “Via his work at Penn and the Corridor of Fame, he acknowledged individuals and horses worthy of respect. His work on the Grayson Basis was all about making the world safer and higher for equine athletes. Ed was at all times open to any effort to lift consciousness that analysis is the trail to raised well being and integrity.” He was at all times appreciative and protecting of the construction of the analysis and analysis advisory committee. ”
Along with Grayson, Bowen’s impression on the Nationwide Museum of Horse Racing and Corridor of Fame was vital. He served on the museum’s board of administrators and chaired the Corridor of Fame nominating committee. He additionally chairs the Joe Hirsch Media Roll of Honor choice committee and beforehand served on the Pillars of the Turf committee. Bowen was inducted into the Corridor of Fame in 2025 as each a member of the Media Roll of Honor and a Pillar of the Turf.
“Ed Bowen contributed to the game of horse racing in numerous methods, and the Nationwide Museum of Horse Racing and the Corridor of Fame particularly benefited from his knowledge and keenness for the game over the many years,” mentioned Brien Bowier, director of communications for the Nationwide Museum of Horse Racing. “Ed served because the Chairman of the Corridor of Fame Nominating Committee from 1987 to 2024 and led numerous different committees with distinctive management, wonderful communication abilities and a contagious character. Ed was a buddy to everybody and his contributions.” The race and museum won’t ever be forgotten. ”
Bowen was acknowledged because the Thoroughbred Membership of America’s visitor of honor in 2022.
He has additionally acquired quite a few awards for his writing, together with the 1992 Eclipse Award for Journal Writing, the Walter Haight Award from the Nationwide Turf Writers Affiliation, and the Charles Engelhardt Award from the Kentucky Thoroughbred Horse Homeowners and Breeders.
