Join us for our weekly “Rock Reflections,” a series celebrating Trinity alumni. From 48 states to countries worldwide, our graduates are making an impact, and we'll share their stories on Trinity's website and social media.
This week's profile is about Declan Carroll '18
Horseracing experts abound in Louisville during Derby Week. Declan Carroll ’18 is one of those experts. He’s a horseracing bloodstock agent and former professional jockey. He got his start in the industry before he arrived at Trinity.
Declan comes from a horseracing family. His father, David Carroll, a native of Ireland, was a trainer for years. David is an assistant to Cherie DeVaux, who trains Derby contender Golden Tempo. Declan’s extended family in Ireland is also in the business.
“In my family, if you’re not into horses, you’re getting kicked out,” Declan said, laughing.
Declan came to Trinity from Meredith-Dunn School. Trinity was always going to be his school of choice, he said. His father’s best friend, Dennis Burch, is a 1980 alumnus. He took Declan to Trinity football games when Declan was a child.
Declan remembers daily life at Trinity being different from year to year.
“There’s a level of comfortability that grows with each year,” he said. “The hardest part of freshman year was remembering where my classrooms were due to coming from a very small school. I never had a ‘bad day’ at Trinity. I had a great group of friends. School was never my favorite place, but Trinity made it enjoyable.”
Eddie Rudolph H’95 and Randy Perkins H’23 were Declan’s favorite teachers.
“Not enough can be said about these gentlemen,” Declan said. “I have the utmost respect for them. They are so dedicated.”
Declan’s responsibility with his horses prevented him from participating in many Trinity activities. Mr. Rudolph, however, was not so easily dissuaded.
“I wrestled my junior year basically because Eddie forced me to,” Declan said, laughing. “He always came to our barn on Derby Day and was very interested in horseracing. I got closer to him each year. I didn’t necessarily enjoy wrestling, but I learned a lot that’s helped me later in life. Wrestling taught me discipline and toughness in all aspects of life, especially mentally.”
Declan was on a horse before he could walk.
“I grew up with show horses,” he said. “I always got on any horse or pony I could. Wherever there was a horse, that’s where I was. Anyone I went to school with will tell you that horses and racing were my focus.”
He started working at a horse training center when he was 16. He trained and broke horses for Conor Murphy at Skylight Farm in Oldham County. Declan spent the summer before his senior year in Ireland riding horses for Michael Helford, who is a trainer for some of the most well-known owners in the business.
Riders up
After turning 18 in September 2018, Declan became a professional jockey. He started riding in races in Indiana and Kentucky and notched his first win at Keeneland in Lexington in 2018. Declan rode at several Midwestern tracks during the COVID pandemic but shifted his tack to Arlington International Racecourse for its 2021 meet, where he became one of the leading jockeys.
Declan’s biggest race in the United States was the 2020 Breeders’ Cup. He won the Breeders’ Stakes, which is the Canadian version of the Belmont Stakes, the third leg of the Triple Crown in the U.S.
Declan describes a jockey’s lifestyle as tough and grueling. On a typical day, a jockey might work five or six horses for different trainers. Having peak physical fitness is crucial. Jockeys participate in a regimen of running, lifting weights and steaming in the sauna to keep their weight down.
“Jockeys have a very strict diet,” Declan said. “You look at it, smell it and walk away. Portion size is a big thing. Food is fuel, but not for jockeys.”
There’s deep camaraderie among jockeys.
“We’re competing with each other,” Declan said. “It’s our livelihood. But we’re all friends and respect each other off the track.”
“When things are going well, it’s the greatest job in the world,” Declan continued. “When it’s tough, it’s tough. Even the most successful jockeys are done by age 45. There are only so many years in your prime.”
Horseracing also is an inherently dangerous sport. The average racing thoroughbred weighs 1,200 pounds and runs just under 40 miles per hour.
“Every jockey takes a bad spill,” Declan said. “An ambulance follows the horses as they race. It’s not if you take a spill, it’s when. It’s not on my mind. If it is, you’re in the wrong business.”
‘I’m so fortunate to do something I love’
Declan rode in his last professional race in 2024. As a bloodstock agent, he buys and sells racehorses for clients and manages their stables. He also communicates with trainers, veterinarians and anything that pertains to his clients’ horses.
Over the years, he has had horses race in the undercard races on Kentucky Oaks and Kentucky Derby days.
“The atmosphere at Churchill Downs on those days is amazing,” Declan said. “The undercard races are big on those days. There’s a lot of great horses in those races.”
While Louisvillians might be accustomed to more than 150,000 fans pouring into Churchill Downs on Derby Day, such large crowds are a rarity in the U.S.
“We’re actually comparatively small in terms of racing crowds,” Declan said. “Racing is a sacred tradition in Japan. They’ll get 150,000 people every weekend. Australia also gets massive crowds.”
The Kentucky Derby, however, is special to everyone in racing.
“For every jockey, riding in the Derby is the world,” Declan said. “When people find out you’re a jockey, the first thing they ask is if you’ve ridden in the Derby. I’m fortunate to know a lot of Derby riders and winners. The jockey community is small but close.”
“Horseracing, whether as a jockey or on the training side, has taken me all around the world,” Declan said. “It’s amazing. I’m so fortunate to do something I love.”
Brothers for life
Declan continues to support Trinity as an alumnus.
“Trinity is a brotherhood,” Declan said. “From the students to the staff, it’s the most welcoming school that I ever attended. I went to eight different schools in my life, and I'm proud to be a Trinity alum. It helped shape me into who I am today.”
Declan lives in Versailles, Kentucky. Homebase for work is Fairhill Training Center near the Maryland-Pennsylvania border. His girlfriend, Keri Brion, is a trainer. Declan says his children are his two Jack Russell terriers and more than 100 horses.
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