Jockey Dylan Williams

Born: 02/08/91, Grand Island, Nebraska

Resides: Edmund, Oklahoma

Family: Unmarried 

Young Williams, who began the 2008 meeting as a 16-year-old apprentice, emerged a riding star during the Oaklawn season. Finishing sixth in the final standings, he rode 30 winners from 246 mounts.           

His horses earned purses of $531,960.  An important win was aboard Explosive Ghazie, who he rode to triumph in the $50,000 Rainbow Stakes, March 30.           

He would add another stakes to his dossier on July 20 at Horsemen’s Park when he rode E.J. Miller’s String Of Diamonds to victory in the $29,700 Skunktail Stakes. 

“That (win) was in Omaha and many members of my family were there. Just think, one of these days one of my grandkids might ask if I ever won the Kentucky Derby. I’ll answer, ‘no, but in 2008, I won the Skunktail Stakes at Horsemen’s Park’”, reminisced Dylan. 

Dylan completed his apprentice allowance in March, 2008. 

“After Oaklawn, I went on to Prairie Meadows and had a good meeting, finishing ninth in the final standings. The rest of 2008, I made stops at Keeneland, Churchill Downs, Horsemen’s Park and Turfway. For the whole year, I won 130 races,” recalled Dylan.           

Last year at Oaklawn, Dylan did a lot of riding for Stanley Roberts, who finished third in the trainer standings behind Steve Asmussen and Steve Hobby. 

“Many good things have happened to me. I feel as if I should go out there and begin thanking people left and right. But, I would hardly know where to begin,” he said. 

Williams will turn 18 February 8.  

“I know I’m getting big in a hurry, but I have always wanted to be a jockey.  I was the tallest rider in the room here last year,” Dylan told. 

The youth is one of five children of Mr. And Mrs. Rob Williams. His father, a member of the Nebraska Sports Hall of Fame, is a career winner of more than 4,000 races.           

Rob retired from riding after the 2007 season and was appointed steward in Nebraska. 

“Mom wanted me to complete my education and start riding when I turned 18. I told her that I could not wait, that 18 might be too late for me. So on my sixteenth birthday, I took out my jockey license, Two days later I won my first race,” recalled Dylan, who was home schooled. 

With a chuckle, the youth mentioned he got his license to ride before his license to drive. 

“My dad started giving me pointers on riding. When I was 13 – keep you hands down, always look before you drop in, and always keep working on becoming a good gate boy; to always be ready for the unexpected. In Nebraska, my dad would get on a pony and take me on the track. When I turned 15, the stewards gave me a provisional permit, so that I could gallop horses,” he said. 

In 2007, Dylan rode at Fonner Park, Santa Anita, Keeneland, Canterbury, Ellis Park and Turfway Park. He finished the year with 128 winners. 

Dylan said that his first added money win came at Fonner Park when he rode My Halo to victory in the Ogataul Stakes.