I was training at Man City but got dream job after a chat in the pub – with £250k winnings this year I made right choice
A KID on the books at Man City had his life turned upside-down after a chance encounter in a pub.
Gavin Ashton trained next to superstars at the Etihad campus as a teen.
But, incredibly, he found his true calling after the boss at his local interrupted his peaceful pint alone to tell him he should be a jockey.
And given that he's earned £250,000 this year as a jockey in the US, he's certainly made the right decision.
Ashton always knew he wanted to be a sportsmen and began his journey training at the Etihad Campus as part of a college course.
The footballing gig never quite worked out for Ashton, but that pub chat sent him down the perfect path.
He told : "I was doing my A Levels at the time and doing all sorts, personal training, that kind of thing. I eventually worked my way up to sous chef at the pub I was at.
"The owner of the pub said ‘you could do that, Gavin, you would make a good jockey – you’re the right height’.
"I told him I would give it a go if I knew how to get into it. And the rest, as they say, is history."
Ashton started his racing journey at the British Racing School before joining the legendary Sir Mark Prescott yard.
Most read in Horse Racing
Around 18 months later, Ashton had his licence and his jockey career started in the best possible fashion.
He won on three of his first five mounts, but his journey wouldn't continue in this country.
Germany was the next port of call and he rode 40 winners there, but he still wasn't at his final destination.
That would prove to be US, where he's currently riding at Colonial Downs in Virginia.
He's earned £250,000 this year with six winners and 14 placings, so his decision to up sticks again is clearly paying dividends.
He told : “When I came to America, I absolutely fell in love with the place.
“I loved America, and the prize money over here is huge compared to the prize money in Europe.
“I understand you can’t just come over here and make it. I knew If I worked hard enough that I could achieve my goals, and obviously America is meant to be the land of opportunity and everything."
He principally rides for trainer Karen Dennehy Godsey and she's high in her praise for Ashton.
She said: “He just showed up one day at my shed row and introduced himself.
"He seemed a bit worried [about rides], and I just liked his attitude and he really cares about the horses. He had an excitement about him and rides with a lot of heart and try.”
READ MORE SUN STORIES
Once Colonial Downs concludes its meet on September 9, Ashton will likely head down to Kentucky Downs.
At 26, the sky is still the limit for Asthon and the former chef seems to be whipping up a storm.
FREE BETS - GET THE BEST SIGN UP DEALS AND RACING OFFERS
Commercial content notice: Taking one of the bookmaker offers featured in this article may result in a payment to The Sun. 18+. T&Cs apply. Begambleaware.org
Remember to gamble responsibly
A responsible gambler is someone who:
- Establishes time and monetary limits before playing
- Only gambles with money they can afford to lose
- Never chases their losses
- Doesn’t gamble if they’re upset, angry or depressed
- Gamcare –
- Gamble Aware –