James Bowen's amazing progress was recognised on Monday when he was shortlisted for the BBC Young Sports Personality of the Year.
The former Fishguard School pupil, from Little Newcastle in Letterston, is in the running for an award that has gone to the likes of Wayne Rooney, Andy Murray and Tom Daley in the past.
The prize goes to the man or woman that the panel considers 'the outstanding young sportsperson aged 17 or under on January 1, 2018'.
The champion conditional jockey, son of jumps trainer Peter Bowen, had a memorable 2017-18 season. He rode 58 winners including the Coral Welsh Grand National at Chepstow on Raz De Maree, despite being only 16.
At 16-1, Raz De Maree was the oldest horse to win the Welsh National since the Second World War. Bowen's breakthrough came at the invitation of trainer Gavin Cromwell, but while he is still also riding winners for his father, the youngster is currently teamed with champion trainer Nicky Henderson.
Bowen is one of ten on a shortlist which also includes Fulham footballer Ryan Sessegnon, Commonwealth Games Gold medal-winning gymnast Georgia-Mae Fenton, Wimbledon Boys' singles finalist Jack Draper, Para-athlete Kare Adenegan, swimmer Frey Anderson, athlete Max Burgin, table tennis player Anna Hursey, rugby league player Georgia Roche, and Para-swimmer Maisie Summers-Newton.
The winner will be announced at the BBC Radio 1 Teen Awards on October 21st and on the BBC Sport website.
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