As a young and up-and-coming rider, Declan Carroll is trying to go wherever his opportunities exist, which is why he will be moving his tack to New York for the winter.
Carroll, 20, is the son of David Carroll, a former trainer and current assistant for Mark Casse. His mother, Kim, also works for Casse.
Carroll began riding last September and secured his first mount at Woodbine before guiding his first winner, B Deb’s Fortune, to victory at Keeneland last October. He then moved his tack to Fair Grounds for the winter, where his father oversees Casse’s string of horses. While wintering at the New Orleans oval, Carroll rode 12 winners and often served as the exercise rider for subsequent Grade 1 Preakness winner War of Will.
He suffered a fractured vertebra in March, which forced him out of the saddle for three months, but returned in June to finish off the Churchill Downs meet. He finished fourth in the rider’s standings at Ellis Park with 19 victories.
“It’s been on my mind the past couple of months and I figured it would be a good place to go for the winter given the amount of opportunities,” Carroll said. “Being in New York, I could ride at Laurel and Parx on off days. It’ll be a bit busier. Fair Grounds was good but I just feel like in New York there are more opportunities for me.”
This season has been a successful one for Carroll, who has amassed over $1.1 million in earnings with 35 victories this year. He has finished in the money at a 32% rate.
Upon arriving in New York, Carroll will be represented by former rider Richard Migliore, who represented jockey Chris Landeros during the Saratoga meet this summer.
“I’ve met Mig a couple of years ago when I was galloping horses for Casse at Saratoga,” Carroll said. “He’s a great guy and should be in the Hall of Fame in my opinion. He can teach me, help me and we’ve talked about certain things. He’s got a great relationship with my dad and I think he can really help me improve as a rider.”
Migliore expressed excitement upon representing Carroll this winter.
“I go way back with his dad. Both of his parents are tremendous people and Declan is a really nice young man,” Migliore said. “He’s very talented and I’m excited to work with him and help him be the best rider he can possibly be.”
Carroll plans on coming to New York around October 16-17.
From: NYRA Press Release
