On March 26 jockey Tyler Gaffalione was involved in a freak post parade incident at Gulfstream Park in which he broke his left ankle, forcing him to the sidelines for the spring. A 13-time leading rider at Churchill Downs, he was forced to miss the track's signature spring meet.
"It was difficult mentally more than anything," Gaffalione said. "I never really had that much time off sitting around. The fact that you're not able to do it instead of being your choice, it just made it a lot different. I had great support from family and friends, and always got to thank my agent (Matthew Muzikar)."
The jockey colony in Kentucky has grown tougher in recent years as purse money in the state has increased. Jockeys Luis Saez and Jose Ortiz have shifted their tack to Kentucky as their base for the winter, spring, and summer, and five-time champion rider Irad Ortiz Jr. competed at Churchill in September and is calling Kentucky home for the fall of 2025.
Yet, despite those additions—and Gaffalione missing in action for the full spring—he was still backed by the Kentucky horsemen. Returning beneath the twin spires for the three-week September meet that concluded Sept. 28, he outlasted Irad Ortiz by wins 26-23 and earned his 14th overall riding title at Churchill Downs.
"I just feel so blessed to be back, being able to do what I love," Gaffalione said. "I've had such tremendous support from the horsemen here in Kentucky. They've been so great to me. The horses have been showing up; my agent's done a great job. We've had a lot of fun. It's been a very competitive meet. Hats off to Irad and all the other guys, they really showed up, made it a lot of fun."
Gaffalione returned to the saddle in July at Ellis Park, earning a riding title there with 28 wins. As one of the top riders in the country who has been successful at the Saratoga Race Course meeting before, remaining in Kentucky to strengthen bonds with Kentucky horsemen as he returned to riding appears to have been a winning move.
"It feels amazing, it gives me chills right now," Gaffalione said on the support he received from horsemen after his injury. "I love Kentucky; they've been so great to me. Just the fact that they continue to support me through everything, it's been a dream."
This was the sixth consecutive year in which Gaffalione has taken home the September meet title at Churchill. Brad Cox earned his fourth consecutive leading trainer title and his ninth overall as his horses reached the winner's circle nine times.
The race for leading trainer was close as David Jacobson was one race behind him with eight victories. However, Jacobson was able to claim his first leading owner title in Kentucky with five victories to edge Godolphin and C R K Stable, who both won three.
Keeneland is up next for Kentucky as its meet begins Oct. 3 and runs through Oct. 25. Churchill Downs will then open for its fall meeting from Oct. 26-Nov. 30 before Turfway Park opens for the winter.
