New York Gaming Commission eliminates married jockeys coupling rule
The New York Gaming Commission on Wednesday gave final approval to the elimination of a rule requiring married jockeys to be coupled for wagering purposes while rejecting an amendment offered by New York’s horsemen that would have eliminated other coupling requirements.
The rule that was eliminated came into focus in 2021 when the jockeys Trevor McCarthy and Katie Davis began riding in New York shortly after being married. Stewards had enforced the rule, leading to criticism of the rule and a push by multiple groups to strike the regulation from the books.
During the public-comment period that is required before a final vote on a rule, the New York Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association had offered an amendment that would require the elimination of all coupling requirements for trainers who had “relationships” with other trainers or owners.
Robert Williams, the executive director of the commission, noted that under the existing rules, stewards had the discretion to allow for those horses to be uncoupled and that “no rule requires such coupling” in rejecting the amendment.