End of an era with popular Darwin jockey Wayne Davis off to WA
After a decade in Darwin, popular jockey Wayne Davis is on the move to WA.
The 52-year-old Davis, who has ridden all over Australia in a career spanning 35 years, will soon call Geraldton – 420km north of Perth – home.
Riding in the Top End during the build-up period and throughout the wet season has finally taken its toll.
“You don’t make life-changing decisions randomly, but it has been on my mind for quite a while,” Davis said.
“By the time you hit December and January during the wet season, I’m pretty much fried.
“Rather than sit on the fence and watch life go by, you try your luck and explore somewhere new and different.
“Darwin has been amazing for me.
“I’ve made a lot of friends in Darwin, and I’m going to miss them, but you’re always looking to improve yourself when it comes to what you’re doing in life.
“I’ve had a lot of luck and success for a lot of trainers, especially the last three and a half years for Phil and Rhonda Cole.”
Davis, who spent most of his career riding in Victoria and Tasmania, is also a Group 1 winner after piloting Acushla Marie to victory in the Winfield Classic – now the Coolmore Classic – at Rosehill in 1992.
Essentially, Davis is making the move based on lifestyle, and by farewelling the Darwin heat and humidity, it will hopefully prolong his career.
“You’ll never ever get the one perfect place; there’s no such thing as the one perfect place,” he said.
“I’m not getting any younger, just looking for more balance in my life.
“Cut down on the workload; focus on trackwork and race days.
“I just explored somewhere different where I can enjoy the rest of my riding days.
“I’m really excited about the move, I’ve done 10 years here, and I’ve had a good crack.
“Looking forward to going to somewhere new without frying in Darwin during build-up.”
Davis’ last Fannie Bay meeting was September 9, and unfortunately he finished at the tail end of the field aboard Supremo, who was diagnosed with cardiac arrhythmia after the race.
He rode Chole Baxter’s He’s The Ultimate to victory in the $50,000 Metric Mile during the Darwin Cup Carnival in July, with his last win at Fannie Bay on Little Town Blues for the Cole stable on Palmerston Sprint Day on August 5.
Davis did ride Cole’s Great Boulder to success on Katherine Cup Day on August 19.
With Cole spending the past month racing horses in outback Queensland, Davis remained in the Top End to help run the stable.
Cole arrived back home on Tuesday to prepare for Saturday’s meeting at Darwin – the same day Davis departs for Geraldton.
“I told Phil that I would hold up the fort for the month when he was on his Queensland trip,” Davis said.
“Everyone did a good job looking after the 20 plus horses here in Darwin.
“I’ll hit the road in the early hours on Saturday.
“Onwards and upwards, I’m looking forward to the new chapter in my life and the sea change.
“They have three meetings a month in Geraldton between October and May, but they do have an abundance of country racetracks in the area.
“There’s only one jockey based at Geraldton – the rest are fly-ins.
“I’ve already got a few trainers to ride for and a lovely home that’s five minutes from the track right on the ocean.
“Plenty of fishing to be had.
“My first meeting is October 5, and then two days later I’ll be riding at Moora, a two-hour drive from Geraldton.”
Davis, who rode regularly during the Darwin Cup Carnival before electing to move to the Top End permanently, won the 1992 Darwin Cup for Cranbourne trainer Tony Harrison.
He won a host of NT feature races, including the 2006 Pioneer Sprint in Alice Springs for Adelaide trainer Byron Cozamanis.
“I had a terrific win on Saccharo in the Chief Minister’s Cup in Alice Springs this year,” Davis said.
“I’ve had success in Darwin, but it has been spread out over a long period of time.
“I’m passionate, so I can’t help myself celebrating after every win.”
Davis has also had injury concerns in recent times, but retirement is not a consideration.
During the 2021 Darwin Cup Carnival, Davis was sidelined for a long period following a serious three-horse fall, and fellow riders Sonja Logan and Alice Lindsay also suffered serious injuries.
Late last year, Davis had another spell nursing injuries when he was dislodged from his mount after it was struck in the head by a plover after easing up following trackwork.
Davis, farewelled by the racing community during the Top End Racing Awards at the Darwin Turf Club last Friday night, was non-committal as far as returning next year for the Darwin and Alice Springs Cup Carnivals.