Tyler Gaffalione

Tyler Gaffalione (born September 12, 1994 in Davie, Florida) is an American jockey who, since being voted the Eclipse Award for the 2015 U.S. Champion Apprentice Jockey, has become one of racing's rising stars having won more than 200 races every year in his first three full seasons.[2] He won the 2019 Preakness Stakes aboard War of Will.

Tyler Gaffalione
Tyler Gaffalione at the trophy presentation for the 2019 Preakness Stakes
OccupationJockey
Born (1994-09-12) September 12, 1994
Davie, Florida, USA
Career wins1,083 (ongoing)[1]
Major racing wins
Rampart Stakes (2015)
Sunrise Handicap (2015)
H. Allen Jerkens Stakes (2016, 2017))
My Dear Girl Stakes (2016)
In Reality Stakes (2017)
Matron Stakes (2017)
Jeff Ruby/Spiral Stakes (2017, 2019)
W. L. McKnight Handicap (2017)
Bourbonette Oaks (2018)
Miss Preakness Stakes (2018)
Miami Mile Stakes (2017)
Fort Marcy Stakes (2018)
La Troienne Stakes (2018)
Shadwell Turf Mile Stakes (2018)
Kelso Handicap (2018)
Raven Run Stakes (2018)
Lecomte Stakes (2019)
Risen Star Stakes (2019)
Matriarch Stakes (2019)
Alabama Stakes (2020)
Coaching Club American Oaks (2020)
U.S. Triple Crown series:
Preakness Stakes (2019)
Racing awards
U.S. Champion Apprentice Jockey (2015)
Significant horses
Fear The Cowboy, Awesome Banner, Salty, Dude Fantasy, War of Will

Background

Born in Davie, Florida, Gaffalione is the son of former jockey Steve Gaffalione, who rode from 1978 through 1998. He was four when he got his first pony and spent much time on the backstretch with his father. Gafflione attended Western and Sunlake High Schools, graduating from the latter in 2013.[3][4]

Racing career

Tyler Gaffalione rode his first winner in the third race of his career on September 7, 2014 at Gulfstream Park. A track that became a favorite, on May 3, 2015 he won five races on a single Gulfstream Park racecard then on July 4, 2017 he tied Hall of Fame jockey Jerry Bailey's 19-year-old record by winning seven races on a single Gulfstream Park racecard.[5] On June 30, 2018 Tyler Gaffalione captured his sixth riding title at Gulfstream Park.[6]

Gaffalione aboard War of Will in the Preakness winner's circle

In 2018, Tyler Gaffalione was riding primarily at Gulfstream Park and Saratoga Race Course. He earned his first Grade I victory in the La Troienne aboard Salty and finished in eleventh place in the National Earnings list.[1]

In 2019, he teamed up with trainer Mark Casse to win the Preakness Stakes with War of Will.[3]

Year-end charts
Chart (2014–present) Rank
by earnings
National Earnings List for Jockeys 2014 439
National Earnings List for Jockeys 2015 33
National Earnings List for Jockeys 2016 28
National Earnings List for Jockeys 2017 12
National Earnings List for Jockeys 2018 11
National Earnings List for Jockeys 2019 10
National Earnings List for Jockeys 2020 4

References
  1. Equibase statistics for Tyler Gaffalione through May 18, 2019
  2. Thoroughbred Daily News May 4, 2017 article titled "Derby Rookie Tyler Gaffalione Looks Like Rising Star" Retrieved June 24, 2018
  3. Cote, Greg. "This South Florida jockey is the feel-good story horse racing needs after Derby debacle | Opinion". miamiherald. Retrieved 21 May 2019.
  4. "Before Preakness win, Tyler Gaffalione helped Sunlake High football make history". Tampa Bay Times. 19 May 2019. Retrieved 21 May 2019.
  5. Gulstream Park July 4, 2017 article titled " Tyler Gaffalione Rides Track Record-Equaling Seven Winners Retrieved June 28, 2018
  6. Bloodhorse.com article titled "Tyler Gaffalione Wins Sixth Riding Title at Gulfstream" Retrieved June 28, 2018
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