Peterborough Local Earns Spot As Finalist In Outstanding Apprentice Jockey Category For 47th Annual Sovereign Awards

Michael Dobson David has earned a finalist spot in the Outstanding Apprentice Jockey category of the 47th annual Sovereign Awards, hosted by the Jockey Club of Canada.

Michael Dobson David after his first career win aboard Diamondsinhereyes. Photo by Michael Burns Photography.

David, a St Peter Secondary School graduate, lived in Peterborough until 2014 when he moved to Barrie to learn the ropes of being a jockey.

He had his first career win as an apprentice jockey in August, 2021 in Fort Eerie and has since had 12 wins.

David says he has always been around horses.

“I used to go for riding lessons in Ennismore at Kerry Line Stables,” he said. “My riding coach Jane Allan helped me out a lot.”

Photo courtesy of Michael Dobson David.

Now in the off season, David reflects on the history his family has with jockeying.

“It’s bred into me to be a jockey,” he said. “It’s all in the bloodline.”

David says his Dad and many of his Uncles and Great-Uncles rode horses. Most notable may be his Great-Uncle Ron Turcotte.

Turcotte was a Canadian jockey best known as the rider of Secretariat, winner of the U.S Triple Crown in 1973.

“Hopefully one day I’m able to follow the same path as many of my great uncles and move full-time to the states, and win.”

Each year The Jockey Club of Canada hosts the Sovereign Awards, which include 12 horse and five human categories.

The winners of each category will be announced during the 47th Annual Sovereign Awards Ceremony on April 14, at Universal Eventspace in Vaughan, Ontario.

“It feels really good, I had a good season winning 12 races at Fort Eerie it takes a lot of work,” he said. “It’s always hard keeping the weight down and training hard but I’m so excited to be nominated.”

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