On the rise: Gabrielle “Gabby” Migliore

With a well-known and respected family name in racing circles, Gabrielle “Gabby” Migliore is the latest member of her family to begin a career in the industry. Migliore, 22, started working for the New York Racing Association as an assistant in the cavalry relations department in July 2023. Two months later, she got a position with NYRA as a steward. Veterinary department administrator.

Her father, Richard Migliore, was an Eclipse Award-winning apprentice whose illustrious career began in 1980 and saw him ride winners in 4,450 races—the majority of which took place on NYRA racetrack. He was forced to retire in 2010 due to a serious injury while riding a horse that broke many vertebrae. He now provides his deep expertise as an on-air analyst on NYRA’s broadcast team and will also serve in that capacity on FOX Sports during the Belmont Stakes telecast ( G1) June 8.

Gabby Migliore’s family ties in racing extend to her mother, Carmela, and eldest sibling, Joseph. Carmela worked as an assistant and exerciser for the late Eclipse Award-winning trainer Stephen A. DiMauro. Joseph is both an equine agent and racing agent, and represents New York-based riders Trevor McCarthy and Katie Davis, who are married.

Gabby Migliore was interviewed on May 14 and her responses have been edited for clarity and space.

Blood Horse: What are some of your day-to-day responsibilities as NYRA’s veterinary department administrator?

Gabby Migliore: Veterinarians must examine each racehorse in the morning. The day before the race, I get a barn/stable report and I go through that and sort it by vet, so each vet gets a certain number of horses (for inspection). ). I organize each horse’s medical records and give them to the veterinarian for them to keep for when they come in for examinations.

I will then assist our Lasix coordinator in treating the abrasions. She would confer with the stewards in the morning, then confer with me and the vets about where the horses were scratched so they didn’t need to be examined.

The veterinary office is also responsible for testing for TCO2 (total carbon dioxide). The Racing Integrity & Welfare Unit will inform us in the morning which horses will be tested, so throughout race day we will go to the fitting shed and carry out pre-testing race. I go with the veterinarians to help run the iPad with the necessary signatures, scan barcodes for blood tubes, and then package them at the end of the day to send to the HIWU lab.

BH: Before coming to NYRA, you rode hunt and show horses and worked as a barn manager. Why did you change career?

GM: In 2020, I started grooming. I just love the whole process of being at the warehouse every day. Then I went to Wellington (Fla.), where the big shows for the hunter and jumper world take place, and had great experiences seeing that side of the action horse business. I have learned a lot. I have been fortunate to have great mentors (involved in) my riding, barn management and grooming.

I moved back north and continued doing the same things, but really grew to love the management side of things.

Being exposed to horses every day on the ground and then being able to ride them is truly a special experience.

Although I loved the hands-on experience with the horses, it was tiring…traveling constantly. In that world there is not as much stability as there is in horse racing. Of course, growing up in racing, I’ve always loved it. I love purebreds. All of the off-track thoroughbreds I ride while working with hunters and jumpers have incredible minds. They are so kind and sweet.

When a job opportunity arose at Saratoga to work in the horseman relations department, it felt right to go and explore the world of racing, which is something my family is very passionate about. I took advantage of that opportunity and saw how beneficial racing was and really loved it.

BH: What was your experience when your father was a jockey? He’s had some serious injuries during his career – are you scared to watch him race?

GM: It was incredible to witness my father’s work ethic throughout my childhood. His dedication to horses is truly something that has stayed with me.

He has faced a lot of adversity throughout his career and he never stopped pursuing what he wanted. It was a great experience where everything was great and of course difficult and heartbreaking when he got injured. But it taught me a lot about his work ethic and how he persevered through all of that.

I don’t know if I was ever scared watching him race because I don’t think my parents were ever scared. They were very passionate about horse racing and my dad loved what he did, so it never brought about a feeling of anxiety or fear. It was amazing to watch my dad do what he loved.

BH: When your father crashed during a race in January 2010, forcing him to retire five months later, how did your family cope with the upheaval?

GM: It was difficult but my parents handled it as best they could. My father was in a lot of pain after the fall. I remember we had just moved (to Millbrook, NY) and we were watching the races on TV. My poor mother has been through it many times before – watching a race and seeing things not go the way you want them to.
My parents did a great job letting us know that everything would be okay. Everyone was really united. My mother was unbelievable. We all worked together, even though it was obviously a very difficult time.
Looking back now and seeing how my dad has seamlessly settled into his role in the television world and has actually continued to thrive, it’s amazing that he’s still able to participate in the industry he loves.

BH: The Migliores are known to be a close-knit family. In what ways has that shaped you?

GM: Everyone in my family is someone I trust; My family is pretty awesome. It has shaped me into someone who really prioritizes my family. We all have this horse connection. Even though my two brothers, Philip and Luciano, don’t work in the industry, we grew up around horses. I am so lucky that my parents trained me to be the horse I am today.

BH: What do you enjoy most about working in the racing industry?

GM: Community. When my dad hosted this year’s awards dinner in New York, he said, ‘Look around, would you know any of these people if it weren’t for horse racing? Would you like to have these bonds or connections?’

I see that (community) every day, in the warehouse, in the office. I just love how these horses bring people together. It’s a really fun thing and it has an energy that gets you excited. Throughout the horse world, so many people bond over horses, but especially at the racetrack, there is just such a community with so many people dedicated to these horses. Working with the veterinary staff at NYRA, I am in awe of them every day. I feel like a kid in a candy store when I’m in the office because I learn so much from them. It’s probably the most interesting job in the world for me at least.

BH: What is the best advice you received from your parents?

GM: The horse always comes first. I’ll call them the days I worked with hunters and jumpers and felt a bit defeated. They will say, ‘It’s all about the horse; you are with the horses and that is what matters. When you go to the warehouse, that’s where you direct your energy.” I brought it with me. That was the voice in my mind.