When apprentice jockey Madeline Rowland — jockeys are considered apprentices when they’ve ridden less than one year and less than 45 winners since first having been licensed — was given the chance to ride four-year-old Ma Coco at Tampa Bay Downs earlier this year, she knew she needed a different approach than her male colleagues to break the filly’s 0-for-9 career run, writes Mike Henry for Tampa Bay Downs. 

“I just kind of followed her lead (during the post parade), and I think she really liked that,” said Rowland, a high school senior from Landenberg and the daughter of Paul Rowland, the late steeplechase trainer who died of cancer in 2012. “She was so calm the whole time before the race. When she went into the gate, she had her own plan, and whatever it was, that was going to be my plan.” 

This proved to be a winning approach. The jockey and the horse took first place in the $16,000 event and provided the bettors who backed them with a reward of $66.20 for their $2. 

Rowland continues to exceed all expectations. She earned her first career victory on Dec. 10 and has since added seven more wins. 

“She always knew what she wanted and had the drive to go for it,” said Madeline’s mother, Jodi Rowland, a Registered Nurse Care Manager who resides in Landenberg. “I am so happy she is getting to live her dream and with who she has become.”

Jodi never hesitated to give Madeline her blessing to pursue a career in horse racing in Florida, where she takes online classes.

“My grades are the best they’ve ever been,” said Madeline. 

Read more about Madeline Rowland from Tampa Bay Downs.