Born in Davie, Florida, Gaffalione is the son of former jockey Steve Gaffalione, who rode from 1978 through 1998. He was four when he got his first pony and spent much time on the backstretch with his father. Gaffalione attended Western and Sunlake High School, graduating from the latter in 2013.[3][4]
Racing career
Tyler Gaffalione rode his first winner in the third race of his career on September 7, 2014, at Gulfstream Park. A track that became a favorite, on May 3, 2015, he won five races on a single Gulfstream Park racecard then on July 4, 2017, he tied Hall of Fame jockey Jerry Bailey's 19-year-old record by winning seven races on a single Gulfstream Park racecard.[5] On June 30, 2018, Tyler Gaffalione captured his sixth riding title at Gulfstream Park.[6]
In 2018, Tyler Gaffalione was riding primarily at Gulfstream Park and Saratoga Race Course. He earned his first Grade I victory in the La Troienne aboard Salty and finished in eleventh place in the National Earnings list.[1]