Berkshire-based Harry Davies has had a flying start to his career as a jockey, at just 17-years-old he took two wins from four rides in his first week of riding against the professionals.
No stranger to success, Davies previously achieved 28 wins on the Pony Racing circuit and was crowned winner of the Charles Owen Racecourse Series in 2018 and 2019. Now he has moved up into the horse racing ranks and has quickly proven his immense talent.
He had his first ride at Southwell on Jan. 11 and quickly bounced back from his sixth position finish to find a winner a Lingfield with Coolagh Magic in the same week. Not resting on his laurels of enjoying his maiden win, Davies secured another victory three days later at Wolverhampton.
Speaking on his first win, Davies said: “I thought on the day the horse had a chance of going close. My instructions were to come late and thought I had left it too late, but he did it. When I pulled up, I thought I'd won but I wasn't completely sure, I just had to get back in one piece and wait for the tannoy. It was a really great atmosphere on the day and it was nice to have my mum and step-dad there.”
The two-time Pony Racing champion appears destined for success, coming from strong racing roots combined with his own passion and determination. His father Stephen was Champion Apprentice jockey in 1994 while working for the great Sir Henry Cecil's yard and his mother Angie works as assistant trainer at Palmer's Newmarket stable.
The 17-year-old now rides at the famed Andrew Balding stable, Kingsclere, that has been integral in launching the career of racing stars such as Oisin Murphy, William Buick and David Probert, but none of these top flat jockeys can say they had their first win from only their second ride.
Davies continued: “Training is going really well, the whole team is so supportive, and Andrew [Balding] is very easy to work for. He understands my goals and what I want to achieve as well as what we want to achieve together. Even if I don't ride a winner that day, I'll come back and the other lads are there to lend a helping hand.
“I first started coming to Andrew's [Balding] at 12-years-old and try to show my face whenever I could, I would try to come down in the summer holiday and I really devoted all my time to being at Kingsclere. In my final year of pony racing I'd ridden out for Andrew a few times and I was ready to make the move [to horse racing].
Commenting on making the step up, Davies added: “One of the differences from pony racing is that the professionals are harder to race against. You have to race a lot tighter, have to be sharper and on your toes. You have to prepare by watching racing as much as can when you're not racing, really watch and pick it apart. Watch the top riders and think, why are they doing that? And try to learn. You can't overthink when you're in the [race] situation, you need to go with your gut and trust yourself.”
Davies will still ride with a 7lb allowance for his next 18 winners but has made an impressive start to his apprentice jockey career.
He returned to Lingfield on Saturday for the inaugural Winter Million where he raced against top jockeys such as Tom Marquand and Hollie Doyle.
Davies added: “They [Marquand and Doyle] are both obviously massive figures in the racing world. They both came from pony racing as well and they are where I want to be.
“Racing against them is great because you can learn so much. I saw Tom in the weighing room the other day and asked him to watch a race back with me and I learnt so much- it's a dream come true.”
Davies will look to continue his outstanding start to life against the pros, which equates to two wins from seven rides, on Wednesday at Kempton Park in the Unibet Extra Place Offers Every Day Fillies' Handicap (7pm), where he will ride the Archie Watson-trained Notoriously Risky.
The post ‘Dream Come True’: Two-Time Pony Racing Champion Harry Davies Enjoys Flying Start To Professional Jockey Career appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.
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