Stephen Davies
Stephen Davies
Stephen Davies
1970-2023
1970-2023
Born in Barry Island, Stephen Davies joined Henry Cecil as an apprentice in 1991 and achieved instant success at Warren Place, where he rubbed shoulders with the likes of Pat Eddery and Willie Ryan.
Born in Barry Island, Stephen Davies joined Henry Cecil as an apprentice in 1991 and achieved instant success at Warren Place, where he rubbed shoulders with the likes of Pat Eddery and Willie Ryan.
He then left Newmarket and joined Peter Chapple-Hyam at Manton in 1993. There he partnered future Arc runner-up White Muzzle to win a three-year-old conditions race at Beverley on 8 May 1993. A year later he was crowned champion apprentice with 45 winners, when the bulk of his rides were for Mikey Heaton-Ellis.
He then left Newmarket and joined Peter Chapple-Hyam at Manton in 1993. There he partnered future Arc runner-up White Muzzle to win a three-year-old conditions race at Beverley on 8 May 1993. A year later he was crowned champion apprentice with 45 winners, when the bulk of his rides were for Mikey Heaton-Ellis.
Stephen rode 25 winners in 1995, the highlight being Rambling Bear’s success in the Listed Sirenia Stakes at Kempton. Afterwards, he rode mainly abroad, landing a job in Germany in the late 1990s, and achieving his greatest success in France when winning the Group 1 Gran Criterium on Noble Pearl in 1998. He also recorded Listed victories in France and Italy aboard Sign Of Nike in 2000.
Stephen rode 25 winners in 1995, the highlight being Rambling Bear’s success in the Listed Sirenia Stakes at Kempton. Afterwards, he rode mainly abroad, landing a job in Germany in the late 1990s, and achieving his greatest success in France when winning the Group 1 Gran Criterium on Noble Pearl in 1998. He also recorded Listed victories in France and Italy aboard Sign Of Nike in 2000.
He rode 124 winners domestically, having his last ride for Sir Michael Stoute in 2006. He then drifted in and out of racing, while more recently he had a spell with David Evans.
He rode 124 winners domestically, having his last ride for Sir Michael Stoute in 2006. He then drifted in and out of racing, while more recently he had a spell with David Evans.
Life was not kind to him. He split with his wife and struggled with his demons, but his own pride prevented him from reaching out for help. He later developed throat cancer, from which he died at his home in South Wales in March 2023, aged 53.
Life was not kind to him. He split with his wife and struggled with his demons, but his own pride prevented him from reaching out for help. He later developed throat cancer, from which he died at his home in South Wales in March 2023, aged 53.
He was the father of successful apprentice Harry Davies, runner-up in the apprentice championship in 2022. Stephen was proud of his son’s achievements and had photos of him riding winners all around him.
He was the father of successful apprentice Harry Davies, runner-up in the apprentice championship in 2022. Stephen was proud of his son’s achievements and had photos of him riding winners all around him.
