James Davies

The headline moment of his career so far came on 24 January 2026 at Cheltenham, where Davies landed a top-level Class 1 race — one of the most prestigious prizes British jump racing can offer. Cheltenham is the sport's cathedral, the place where reputations are made and ordinary careers become something more. Davies has only one win there at that level, but the fact that he delivered it at all puts him in company many jockeys never reach.

The partnership that has built most of his career wins is with trainer Nick Gifford, where the numbers genuinely stand out. From 73 rides together they have produced 9 winners — a win rate of 12%, or roughly 1 in every 8. That is well above Davies's overall average, and in racing, that kind of consistency between a jockey and a yard usually means something: trust, understanding, a shared way of placing horses in the right races at the right time.

One detail that could define where he goes next is his record on wet ground. When the rain has been down and the course is soft or muddy — conditions many jockeys quietly dread — Davies wins 11% of his races, 6 from 53. That is noticeably better than his overall rate, suggesting he rides with particular confidence and judgment when the ground takes hold beneath a horse's hooves. Wet-ground specialists are genuinely valuable in British jump racing, where the weather rarely plays fair.

The partnership with Diligent Militia is one worth watching for different reasons: three races together and no wins yet. That kind of record is less a failure than an unfinished conversation — the right conditions, the right day, haven't arrived yet. At 85 career winners and still only four years in, Davies looks like a jockey still working out exactly what kind of rider he is. The Cheltenham winner suggests the ceiling is higher than the recent numbers imply.