Chantal Sutherland: An icon of courage, a beauty of horseracing
In the rich history of horseracing, we do not find enough female jockeys. Among a few examples, Chantal Sutherland seems to be the most prominent, prestigious, skilled and daring.
Riding horses in tough competitions and posing before TV cameras as a model are two different things, but the gifted Canadian lady has done both together with extreme perfection. This is what makes her an example for the adventurous women.
On October 21, Sutherland quit horseracing with her 7,350th run at the same venue of Woodbine from where she started her career a dozen years ago.
With 931 wins, 930 seconds and 987 thirds and prize money $47.3 million, Sutherland walked out of the sport circle gloriously and honourably.
Her last ride was Crushing Hard, the Ian Black trained Canadian chestnut gelding, who debuted by finishing 7th in the 11-runner race of Bunty Lawless Stakes (Turf) that was won by Pender Harbour.
Interesting to note is the fact that Sutherland started and ended at the same venue. According to her, she has been in love with Woodbine throughout her career.
While speaking to the media on Sunday, she told, “Woodbine has been an amazing place for me. This is where I learned how to ride, and made me the rider that I am, to be able to go and compete in other places.”
Mentioning the reason of her retirement, she said, “My life changed when I got married. I’ve been doing this for a long time, and it is a lot of hard work.”
During her short career, Sutherland accomplished a number of outstanding feats and honours. Some of her ace titles include Bull Page Stakes, La Lorgnette Stakes, Seagram Cup Stakes, Star Shoot Stakes, Gotham Stakes, Tom Fool Handicap, Ashley T. Cole Handicap and Miami Mile Handicap.
The skilled lady achieved the Sovereign Award of Canada for two times in 2001 and 2002. Her maiden victory came on October 9, 2000.
It fact, Sutherland was a star that shined resplendently and set gloriously at just the threshold of 21st century. Her name will always be remembered whenever a historian writes about the daredevils of the horseracing world.
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are the writer's own and do not reflect Bettor.Com’s editorial policy.
Tags: