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Jockey Sophie Doyle, who has been serving as the regular exercise rider for 14th-place GI Kentucky Derby finisher Epic Ride (Blame), returned to riding in the afternoon at Churchill Downs Sunday with an eighth-place finish aboard Sweet Mo B (Complexity) in Race 2, a maiden special weight. It was her first Churchill mount since having her first child, a daughter named Emilie, almost two years ago.
Doyle began breezing horses for trainer Chris Davis, her fiancé, three months after her daughter’s birth and returned to professional afternoon riding earlier this spring on a limited basis. She has tallied two wins from 13 starts in 2024. Based in America since 2014, Doyle’s biggest previous wins have included the 2019 GI Cotillion S. with Street Band (Istan).
“It’s wonderful to be back here at Churchill Downs,” said Doyle. “It’s been almost two years since I’ve been back riding here. It was the first place I won a race when I began my career in North America and having Emilie beside me makes it even more special.”
Doyle is next named on the Trudy Velnot-trained You Make Me Happy (Firing Line) in Saturday’s 8th race at Churchill, a seven-furlong allowance. She is also riding throughout the week at Belterra Park and Presque Isle Downs.