An Interview with Jockey Gavin Ashton

‘I'm grafting each and every day,’ says a cheerful Gavin Ashton. He’s strikingly positive and upbeat, and something tells me that it isn’t only because he’s living his dream, but is his underlying disposition. ‘I’m a professional jockey in the

USA, and have been there one and half years. It’s very very different to life in the UK. Over in the USA, jockeys don't base themselves with a trainer.’ Thus, Gavin is freelance, so spends mornings riding out horses for lots of different trainers, including Keith Desormeaux and Kenneth McPeek.

‘I breeze and work horses for trainers in the hope that I pick up rides for them in the afternoon.’ Gavin thrives off the different routine. ‘We don't get paid in the morning and get prize money in the afternoon.’

Originally from the Oldham and Righton areas in Greater Manchester, Gavin now lives permanently in Louisville in Kentucky, USA. He has never let a non-horsey background stop him from forging his way within the racing industry, starting off in the UK, heading to Germany before going further afield to the USA. He’s ridden over a hundred winners split between these three countries: nineteen in the UK, forty in Germany and, so far, over forty-five American winners.

Gavin describes his partner Isabella Lesley as ‘the best’ and they have a miniature schnauzer called Fergy.

A Hamilton Winner in 2018

Did you have a horsey childhood? No. I'm very strange in the horseracing industry. I didn't sit on a horse until I was twenty. I’d never ridden before and I'm twenty-eight now, so have only been doing this eight years.

How did you get into racing? I always knew I wanted to be a professional athlete; I just didn't know which sport so I tried everything. My big one was football – I absolutely love my football. I was playing it at a good level but I wasn't good enough to make it professionally and I wasn't making any money doing it. So, my dad, who always instilled a very good work ethic in me, said I had to go out and get a job. I became a pot washer at a pub in Brighton and worked my way up to be a chef by the time I was seventeen.

It was whilst I was working there that someone randomly said to me, ‘Gavin, you're the right size to be a jockey so why don't you go and do that?’ I said I didn't know how and they told me all about the British Racing School and it's fourteen-week course, being placed with a trainer and then getting a licence. It seemed very easy so I applied. The racing school were incredible. Having never sat on a horse before, I bounced all over the place to begin with. Yet, they taught me so brilliantly and did such a good job.

Which trainer did you initially work for? I was placed in a job at Sir Mark Prescott's. It was exactly the right place for me to go, because Sir Mark was a brilliant teacher. I had a good group of people around me who also taught me well, including Manuel Fernandez, Rosie Jessop, Colin Nutter, Alyson West, the assistant trainer William Faulkner and Rob McDowell. All of them took a liking to me in those early years and helped me with my riding.

Sir Mark gave me my first ride and I finished second, and then my first winner on my second ride. It got my career off to a really good start, and I'm incredibly grateful to him and I still keep in touch now. It's been a whirlwind ever since.

Which other trainers have you worked for? Ian Williams and Roger Varian. Both were brilliant but I loved my time at Roger’s – he supported me the best he could. I had about four winners from seven rides there.

Before riding in America, Gavin rode lots of winners in Germany

How did racing take you abroad? I started to pick up a few rides on Sundays in Germany. On Roger’s recommendation, I went over there fulltime because that's where I was getting the most rides. To keep improving as a jockey, I needed to be riding regularly. I had two seasons out in Germany; fourteen months with Eva Fabian in Berlin and I spent time with Markus Klug at his stud in Cologne. In my two seasons there, I really developed as a rider. The quality of horse isn’t as good but I learnt how to ride and improve my style, making me into a much better rider.

I started coming over to America in the winters, which helped me settle in and make good connections. I always felt America was where I wanted to be. I love the country, the people the food, the lifestyle... I love everything about the place.

In the summer of 2023, I knew it was time to move here as I got a great opportunity to go with a good agent. I was able to kick start my career over here at Colonial Downs. It's a decision that I've not regretted.

Favourite racecourse in the UK: I used to love riding at Chester. It's a very unique course and close to home. I was also lucky at the Scottish tracks, where I had a lot of success.

Favourite racecourse in Germany: Without a doubt, Munich. I rode a lot of winners there and once rode a four-timer on the same card, which was incredible. Munich is just a beautiful track and I loved riding there. I rode at all the tracks in Germany and I found racing there very much like England. You're based in one place and work for one trainer but travel each day to the tracks for your rides.

Favourite racecourse in the USA: I love Churchill Downs because of the history and its home of the Kentucky Derby. Yet, I also love Keeneland; it's absolutely beautiful and I rode my first winner there in September. I really really want to get out to Santa Anita. I’ve seen photographs and watched racing from there but I haven't ridden there yet. I will get there one day: I'm just waiting for the right horse to take me there.

Favourite racehorse: At Sir Mark Prescott's, my favourite was a filly called Bath And Tennis, a strange name that is also a Country Club over in America. I actually looked after her from the first day she came into the yard. I got on very well with her and she taught me a lot. I raced against her in a free run a race at Bath and she won the race, which delighted me.

Her owner was American and she also ended up moving to America. I was riding Presque Isle Downs and she was racing there that day. I went to see her and she definitely recognised me, and then she won her race. She was not a world beater but she meant the world to me. I was devastated when she passed away earlier this year after a heart attack at the age of 7. But at least, I got to see her before that. She will always be my special filly.

What do you love about riding in America? Compared to racing in England, American racing is very one-dimensional. The tracks are very similar and it's very speed orientated. For me, what I absolutely love most is a lifestyle – there's a lot less travelling and you have a life over here. For instance, it's 10:00 in the morning and I've been to the track and have ridden out and now I’m done for the day. I've got much more time to do what I love. Also, the prize money is outstanding to commit even in maiden races.

Gavin's first USA Stakes winner in July 2024, a first winner at Keeneland and back there again in 'the Fall'

What jockey do you look up to? In the UK, the jockeys I looked up to where the likes of William Buick and Tom Marquand. They’re both absolutely true professionals in everything they do.

Over here, it’s definitely Tyler Gaffalione. I’d love to have half his ability. He's possibly the best rider in America.

What is the best part of your job? The winners. When you ride a winner, it's so rewarding after putting in so much hard work.

Hopes and dreams for the future: I'd love to be leading rider one day at Colonial Downs. I'm also striving for Group success – I’d really love to ride any Group winner.

If you didn't work in racing, what would you be doing? I'd love to do something with football, maybe go down the coaching route. If I couldn't do that, then I’d like to own my own restaurant. Maybe being a football manager and a restaurant owner are my alternative dream.

What does racing mean to you? It's my life, it's not a job. As soon as I got introduced to racehorses, I fell in love with them. I can't imagine not having them in my life. They’re everything to me and racing is my passion.

Favourite meal: I do enjoy a Curry on a Saturday night.

Favourite drink: I have been known to import bottles of Vimto from the UK. A hot Vimto keeps me warm during the winter. I do love a Margarita as well.

Favourite snack: Popcorn or ice cream.

Favourite American restaurant: I like going off the main road to the smoke houses.

Favourite holiday destination: Florida.

Favourite film: There's so many. I love films. Shawshank Redemption is very good, as are all those types of classics.

Favourite music: Since moving over here, I'm very much grown into country music, especially the late Toby Keith.

*Many thanks to Old Gold Racing for the help in securing this interview. They published it first in their fabulous newsletter Racing Weekly. To sign up, go to https://mailchi.mp/2f6ba62d6182/racing-weekly-lead-capture