Rising star jockey looks ahead to big Doncaster rides – and buying first house aged 19 with best mate Billy Loughnane

IF Harry Davies wasn’t hungry for winners already, he definitely will be with his great friend and rival living under the same roof.

Rising star Davies, 19, is in the process of buying his first place in Newmarket, and his best pal Billy Loughnane, 18, is set to move in with him.

GettyJockey Harry Davies could have a big day at Doncaster on Saturday[/caption]

They might get on like a house on fire off the track, but on it there are no holds barred.

Davies joked: “I’m crashing with a friend in Ashley at the minute, which is five down the road from Newmarket.

“As soon as I’m moved into the new house it’s going to be all systems go. Billy is one of my best mates and he is going to be coming and living with me. 

“It’s going to be a very competitive household, I can tell you that!”

Davies, who has 129 winners to his name already, completed his apprenticeship at Andrew Balding’s but moved to Newmarket over the winter.

He grew up in Flat racing HQ and used to ride out for several yards while he was still at school.

But as a tall lad, the one battle he has constantly had to fight over the last few years is with the scales.

He said: “I grew up in Newmarket and I was always knocking around the yards riding work when I was at school.

“I went to Andrew’s from an early age and I gained loads of experience there and got taught things I mightn’t have been able to learn in Newmarket.

“It was a great grounding, there was no better place for me to go, and I left there a lot wiser about life and racing.

“I’m working hard and I’m in the gym five times a week keeping the weight down.

“I’ve found my way of doing it effectively, everyone’s body shape is different and everyone has their own way of keeping it in check. 

“The thing I have had to adapt most is my style. As I’ve got taller I’ve had to change how I ride so I still look neat but keep strength in the saddle.”

He hasn’t wasted any time since heading home, linking up with the likes of Charlie Appleby, Charlie Fellowes and Simon and Ed Crisford.

And he has a couple of big chances for the father and son team at Doncaster this weekend on the opening day of the Flat season.

He will get the leg up on the Lincoln Handicap favourite Awaal, while he also rides Knight in the Listed Doncaster Mile.

Davies said: “I’ve been riding Awaal in plenty of his work at home, he’s feeling very well and Simon and Ed have been eyeing up the Lincoln all winter.

“He’s at his peak of fitness and he gets his soft ground which is a big plus.

“It’s the same with Knight, he loves soft ground and he has been working well after his winter break.

“He has beaten Roger Varian’s horse Charyn before, he is a very good horse on his day and I’d like to see him get his head back in front.

“Hopefully one or both are on the board, I grew up in Newmarket and came back with the goal of having a big year and this would be the perfect start.”

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