Sean Bowen is set to take a two-day break from dominating the UK jockeys’ championship to mix it with Ireland’s best at the Dublin Racing Festival, where Haiti Couleurs will be his star mount in the Paddy Power Irish Gold Cup.
The reigning champion is rapidly bearing down on his target of 200 winners, having passed his previous best at Warwick on Friday.
However, he is more than happy to miss the action on home soil for a trip to Leopardstown to link up with Rebecca Curtis’ stable star, who has already provided both trainer and jockey with one memorable moment on Irish soil when claiming the Irish Grand National in April.
Haiti Couleurs pictured at Rebecca Curtis' stables in West Wales, as preparations continue ahead of his journey to Leopardstown for Dublin Racing Festival.
He is entered in the Paddy Power Gold Cup on Day 1, with anticipation building as race weekend approaches.🐎 pic.twitter.com/GILmC0bjtd
— Leopardstown RC (@LeopardstownRC) January 23, 2026
Last seen defying a big weight in tremendous style in the Welsh National, Haiti Couleurs will be up against the likes of three-time race winner Galopin Des Champs as he bids to become the first British-trained winner since The Listener in 2008.
Bowen said: “We don’t know how he’ll measure up against the opposition, but he’s gone over to Ireland and been at his best over there so the travelling won’t be an issue. He stays, he jumps and why not have a go.
“I’ve picked up a couple of spares over there as well and it will be nice to go out there for the weekend and ride in some big races and Haiti is obviously a big horse for me.”