Aahana Swrup
Netflix’s ‘Race for the Crown’ takes an enlightening dive into the electric sport of horse racing and the competitive culture around it. Through a diverse group of horse-owners, trainers, and jockeys, hailing from different backgrounds, the show explores the intricacies of the industry in fascinating strides. The 2024 Triple Crown horse race series, which consists of the three races, the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes, and Belmont Stakes, remains at the center of the narrative as the object of the athletes’ and their benefactors’ dreams. Within this otherwise male-dominated sport, Katie Davis emerges as a unique voice, showcasing the reality of being a female jockey in the race tracks. Naturally, her charming personality, formidable skills, and inspirational story must have stirred the attention of many!
Katie Davis’ Promising Career Continues to Gallop Toward Success
Born to legendary jockey-turned-trainer Robbie Davis and his wife, Marguerite, Katie Davis possesses a rich familial history in the world of horse racing. She was born in Saratoga Springs, New York, a city known for its thoroughbred horse racing track. Of her five siblings, two of them—Dylan and Jackie Davis— followed their father’s footsteps early on in life. Similarly, it wasn’t long before Katie enrolled in the proverbial Robbie Davis school of jockeying and formed her own roots in the equestrian sport. Since earning her jockey’s license in 2013 and establishing herself as a name to look out for with her 2017 win in the Conniver Stakes, Katie’s career has only been on an exciting climb.
In 2024, the jockey competed at the Saratoga Belmont weekend and scored her first win at the event with the horse Union Trail. However, the end of 2024 brought some complications for Katie as she found herself on the receiving end of suspensions. Sanctioned by the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority for riding crop rule violations, a $1,500 fine accompanied her suspension. As a result, the jockey was suspended for three days at the start of 2025 during her participation at Aqueduct.
Nonetheless, the determined rider has returned to the Aqueduct Racetrack recently and even secured monumental achievements for herself and her steeds. In March 2025, Katie piloted Bernieandtherose, the homebred horse of Robert D. Rosenthal and Bradford Bernstein, to its fourth consecutive win in the Maddie May Stakes. Likewise, she earned multiple wins, including the NYSSS Park Avenue Division, with her NY-bred filly, Sunday Girl, who trains under David Duggan. Thus, as one of the most prominent female athletes in the game, Katie Davis seems to be heading toward a bright future.
Katie Davis Joined the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation in 2024
Katie Davis has established a name for herself through impressive races and respectable advocacy for jockeys. However, the athlete continues to set down long-lasting roots in the industry. In late 2024, she joined Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation through an appointment to the Board of Directors. The foundation works for the benefit of retired racehorses, ensuring their well-being at the end of their competitive careers. One of the foundation’s newer programs is the Second Chances Program, in which horses are rehabilitated by being paired with incarcerated individuals. “I’m honored to join the TRF Board and support the foundation’s ongoing work,” Katie said about her appointment. “I’m here to support everyone and look forward to being part of an organization that gives so much back to retired racehorses.”
Katie Davis is a Loving Mother and a Supportive Partner
Katie Davis tied the knot with her partner and fellow racehorse jockey, Trevor McCarthy, in 2020. At the time, the couple faced some career complications due to a rule that forced their horses to be coupled during races regardless of the trainers/owners. Expectantly, this threatened to have a negative impact on Katie’s career and allegedly resulted in many missed professional opportunities. Around the same time, Katie was expecting her first child with her husband. Yet, she was committed to balancing motherhood with her career and returned to the sport after giving birth to her daughter, Riley, in December 2021.
Fortunately, soon after, the duo’s continued advocacy against Rule 4040.2 contributed to an eventual 2022 amendment. Consequently, the Davis-McCarthy couple’s battle ended up bringing a fruitful future for them and the sport as a whole. While Katie continues to thrive in her career since then, her husband decided to retire in April 2025, stating that the sport was becoming a detriment to his happiness and mental health. Throughout this difficult decision and its aftermath, Katie continues to remain a supportive pillar by the ex-jockey’s side. Furthermore, she played a vital role in setting up McCarthy’s real-estate business, built upon the couple’s hobby of rental property acquisition, renovation, and management.
Even though Katie has no plans of exiting the racetracks any time soon, she has been vocal about her plans to shift her professional focus to long-term investment in her later years. Nevertheless, for now, the jockey continues to pursue her dreams while supporting her husband’s newest ventures. As per last known reports, the Davis-McCarthys live in a multifamily home in Elmont, Long Island, New York. Meanwhile, in their personal lives, the couple remains dedicated parents to their 3-year-old daughter, Riley. Through adventurous trips to picturesque wonders like Niagara Falls and fun visits to the famed Big Apple Circus, the family enjoys spending quality time with each other. In December 2024, they welcomed two new additions to their clan after young Riley received two bunny rabbits as an early birthday present from her parents.
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