Former Jockey Davis Focus of HRTV Documentary
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The career of former jockey Robbie Davis Jr. and his role as father of three jockeys will be the subject of HRTV's March 16 documentary show, "Inside Information."
The half-hour program, which airs at 8:30 p.m. ET, takes a look at Davis' career. It focuses extensively on his heartache and anguish following his involvement in an on-track tragedy at Belmont Park in October 1988 that took the life of popular jockey Mike Venezia, a longtime fixture on the New York racing circuit.
The show also details Davis' determination, after a self-imposed exile from the track, to resume a successful career and eventual retirement in 2002. It also examines his subsequent realization that three of his six children—son Dylan and daughters Jackie and Katie—wanted to follow in his footsteps while subjecting themselves to the same peril and risks he faced daily.
The documentary highlights Davis' transformation from a parent initially resisting the notion of Jackie's desire to ride, to actively instructing Katie prior to her first race.
During the tragic turf race in 1988, Venezia was unseated from his horse and Davis' mount was unable to avoid the fallen rider. Venezia died from injuries sustained in the chain-reaction accident.
"My world just stopped...I went into shock," Davis told HRTV. "I didn't want anyone around me."
In addition to comments from the Davis family, the show also includes interviews with Hall of Fame jockeys Angel Cordero Jr. and Chris McCarron, as well as HRTV analyst and retired jockey Richard Migliore.