Danny Warrington

Danny Warrington was born on October 24th in 1969 at the Camp LeJeune Marine Base in Jacksonville, North Carolina.
A unique and well respected character, Danny has a refreshing outlook on his education. He attended ‘Smithwick College of Hyde, MD’ for a summer Semester. For the uninitiated Mikey Smithwick is featured in the Hall of Fame and is acknowledged as one of the greatest horsemen of modern times. It is not actually a College per se. He was the six time Winner of the Maryland Hunt Cup, and several Championship Steeplechase Trainer Titles. This short ‘semester’ was then followed by three years at ‘Ashwell University’ the farm of the renowned Trainer Jonathan Sheppard. Three of his charges recently finished in the money in the 2009 Breeders Cup. Danny credits Jonathan Sheppard with teaching him tenacity, patience, fortitude and understanding. Danny then proceeded to put these hard earned skills to use surviving the ‘School of Hard Knocks’ which has been rougher on him than many could endure.

Following on from a comprehensive education and becoming not a ‘Jockey’ or an ‘Event Rider’ but a Horseman, Danny started to specialize in the discipline of Eventing. It was in this sphere that Danny achieved what is his career highlight. He won the Amanda Warrington Cup at Groton House which is held in Memoriam of his late wife. Danny had left the world of horses for a few years, and upon deciding to return he bought a horse called Discover The Power as a re-sale project. He started to ride him at Prelim Level, and subconsciously set himself the aim of winning that particular Event. Against the odds, he claimed the emotional victory as his own, and believes that it is and always will be his single greatest achievement. Not only in horsemanship, but personally. It was far more than a competition win, it was an emotional victory.
When asked to name a particularly memorable horse besides Discover the Power, Danny names a ‘Chaser called Yaw. Not for any particular reason, other than that he galloped him every day and simply loved him. Danny never rode Yaw in a race, but saw him develop from a $20k Claimer into the horse that won the Turf Writers at Saratoga. It was a journey they took together.

When asked of his existing string Danny names ‘Will Smith’ as the one that stands out. “He has overcome a lot, and he whinnies at me every day when I walk into the barn. That makes me smile. If a horse can make you smile every day then he has done more than he needs to.”
Danny has developed a reputation and success rate with more troubled and difficult horses. This skill has caused many to seek his help including leading Trainers such as Michael Matz.

Danny has had the fortune to train and ride with Bruce Davidson, Jimmy Wofford, Phillip Dutton. Linda Zang, and most recently Mr. Leslie Law. He says ‘They all deserve a Medal!’

Immediate plans for the future include the CCI** at Fair Hill in the fall of 2010 with Will Smith. Danny has an emotional affiliation with Fair Hill, not only professionally but personally too. He lives a mere five miles away and was brought up in Cecil County. Dan has ridden every course that Fair Hill has to offer apart from the new CCI**. This includes the Flat course, Steeplechase course, Timber course and each of the remaining Event courses. Amanda, Danny’s late wife had her fatal accident there, and his Father’s ashes are scattered there. There are many ties to this location.

Regalio is another resident of Dan’s barn and is aimed at the VA horsepark CCI* in the spring of 2010. Classico Z and Saratoga are the final members of ‘Team Warrington’ and they are looking to do the CCI* at the Kentucky Horsepark in the fall. 2010 is going to be a season of less shows, but bigger Events including the Gold Cup Series. And for practical purposes events with better prize money!

Longer term, Dan wants to give himself the opportunity to participate in Team Training, secure in the knowledge that he has truly given it all his best shot. Ultimately the Pan Am Games, Olympics and World Games.. And of course the legendary Badminton and Burghley.

Additional information. In what little spare time he has Danny loves being on the water in any fashion. Sailing, fishing, Scuba Diving and Wake Boarding. If reincarnation does in fact exist then he wants to come back as a Dolphin.

Location: 57 Wade Lane, North East MD.
Email: dannywarrington@comcast.net
Cell: 484 459 4974/443 466 9809
Website: www.dannywarrington.com