There are only three days of live racing left in 2022 to complete a remarkable racing year on the New York Racing Association circuit. To celebrate the season, the NYRA Press Office signed up a selection of racing figures to give them thoughts on a memorable year.
Jockey Dylan Davis, 28, comes from a racing-oriented family. His father, coach Robbie Davis, is a retired multi-level jockey. His sisters—Katie and Jackie—are also horse riders and his brother Eddie is a trainer based on the NYRA track.
The Manhasset, NY native, enjoyed his best season in 10 years of riding, hitting his career best this year with a win (192) and a purse ($13,067,692). In March, he claimed his first equestrian title scoring 63 wins at 2021-22 aqueduct winter meet
With just three days of racing left in 2022 at the Aqueduct, Davis can add to a fantastic season as he currently leads all racers with 183 wins on the NYRA circuit in 2022—an 11-win advantage. won against his closest opponent, Manny Franco. Additionally, Davis is currently in second place at the Fall Big A, which ended December 31, with 28 wins, just two points behind leader Kendrick Carmouche.
His graded bet win this year is out glass ceiling (Distance Handicap (G3) at Aqueduct and Barbara Fritchie Stakes (G2) at Laurel Park) As with Boppy O in Predictive Bets (G3T) at Racecourse Saratoga.
Davis lives in Garden City with his wife Sara and their two children, Michael and Demi.
New York Racing Association: After years of riding all year round on the New York circuit, how important is it to win the equestrian title?
davis: It means a lot. It was the first title I ever had and to be able to see it all come together means a lot to me. I spoke with Mike Migliore, my agent for many years on the NYRA circuit. To be able to get there feels great when you work hard at something. There are no words to describe it, but I feel so honored and grateful.
New York: This is your best year in terms of wins and earnings. In a year with so many achievements, to whom do you give the most credit?
Jockey Dylan Davis and Boppy O win With Anticipation at Saratoga . Racecourse
davis: All horses. And again, my agent. He took me in when I was about to leave New York and he saw something in me and pushed me to go further than I thought I would. He always believed in me and always pushed me. He said one day I will be there, I just have to work hard and that’s what we are doing now. Things have settled down over the past year, so I’m just continuing to hope for the best and push for a better year. I feel like Mike and I working hard together every year and putting ourselves in the right place is a very important tool. I had other mentors, my father, and all the owners and trainers who believed in me and trusted me to ride their horses and then it was my duty to get the job done.
New York: At the end of last year, you picked up your first grader on the plane Mutamakina in the EP Taylor Stakes (G1T) at Honeysuckle. Does that give you the motivation you need to have a year like this?
davis: Oh yes of course. I’ve always had big goals to be part of that elite group of tier 1 racers. I feel like I’m not quite there yet, so I’m still trying to push myself to get into that group. But that 1st grade really helped me a lot because I had a coach like Christophe Clement who believed in me in that category and I was able to get the job done. To get that first one was fine, and it boosted my confidence. I had Flavien Prat (on board Queen of California ) inside me that day and Joel Rosario (on the train La Dragontea ) on the outside I closed very hard, so to beat them that day felt great and boosted my confidence.
New York: You come from a very racing oriented education. How influential was your father in the first place?
davis: Even before I started riding, he taught me a lot. I’ve had a lot of mentors throughout my career, but my dad really created a voice early on. Even in my first year of riding, he called me every day and we were reviewing the tapes. Not much today, he says I’m riding very well, but I always say to him, ‘You have to tell me something, I need to hear some criticism’ because I like it. . I always try to push myself. But he said I was riding very well, I just had to keep pushing.
New York: This year, Saratoga reintroduces Wilson Chute. How does it feel from the driver’s perspective?
davis: I like it because some horses don’t want to go all the way through two turns and seven stretchers can be too much for some of them. It’s nice to have some variation when you’re out on the field with different distances to choose from.
New York: Any trip that you are most proud of?
davis: i won with Miss Dracarys (during Forever Together Stakes on November 20 at Aqueduct), to the same owner as Mutamakina, Al Shira’aa Farm. I’ve had a lot of success with them. I won a number of bets throughout the year, 2nd and 3rd grade, but every win was special.
MISS DRACRYS Wins Forever Together with @DavisJockey board! #TheBigA pic.twitter.com/hzm8qbl76h
– NYRA (🗽) (@TheNYRA) November 20, 2022
New York: Do people tell you that your riding style resembles your father’s?
davis: I hear that a lot. I was young when my dad retired, so I could just turn off the tape or YouTube so I could watch him. I don’t remember Dad riding that much. I never really tried to imitate his style, I just ride what I feel comfortable and how I feel in the saddle and people say I look like my dad, so I Guess it’s just genetics. I think it’s pretty cool.
New York: What are your goals for 2023?
davis: To win more titles and 1st class. I’m just always trying to do better than last year and stay healthy.
This press release has been edited by BloodHorse Staff for content and style.
