New Mother Doyle Back Exercising Horses

Jockey and new mother Sophie Doyle returned to breezing horses last week at Keeneland as she prepares for a possible comeback to race riding. She and her fiancé, trainer Chris Davis, welcomed their first child, Emilie Sofia Davis, on July 8.

“Emilie arrived healthy and is growing and everything is perfect,” Davis said at his Keeneland barn on Monday. “(Sophie) stayed home this morning to enjoy the couch with the baby and the dog. She has been riding about five horses a day since she started back.”

Doyle has earned more than $12 million in her decade-long career. Of her 3,785 mounts, she won 439 races, including five graded stakes. Her first graded stakes win came at Keeneland in the 2015 Thoroughbred Club of America (G2) aboard 17-1 longshot Fioretti. 

Doyle’s other graded scores were in 2019 aboard Street Band in the Cotillion (G1) at Parx Racing, Fair Grounds Oaks (G2) and Indiana Oaks (G3) at Horseshoe Indianapolis and on Naval Laughter in the Modesty (G3) at Arlington. Doyle’s most recent mount was on Dec. 18 at Turfway Park.

“She breezed four yesterday (Sunday), including one out of the gate,” Davis said. “She really enjoys that aspect of riding. And, obviously, it is very good for me because I get a lot of good feedback. As far as race riding, we are not sure if she will come back. It is totally up to her.”