Horseracing, the sport, will miss Chantal Sutherland
The 2012 horseracing season has brought plenty of happiness, but it would leave a lot of grief as well. A sad news came to the sport’s lovers in USA a few days ago, when Chantal Sutherland, who rode more than 900 winners during her time in the saddle, decided
to call it a day.
After losing the Breeders' Cup Classic ride on Game On Dude - the one she rode nine times - the glamorous jockey decided to put a full stop to her career. During her wonderful journey, she won plenty of mega events.
In June 2010, she took Simply Splendid to an amazing victory in the Grade 2, Nassau Stakes. She bagged another big prize on turf the following month. On Windward Islands, the talented jockey travelled pretty nicely to ensure the first rank in the Grade 2,
Nijinsky Stakes.
Chantal Sutherland, during her career, guided a lot of horses to glory, but the highlight was her wonderful partnership with Game On Dude. She and trainer Bob Baffert won three major meetings with the son of Awesome Again.
In the hands of Sutherland, the bay and brown gelding notched up the first place in the Grade 1, Santa Anita Handicap last year. He continued the great work, and won the Grade 1, Goodwood Stakes in October 2011.
The 5-year-old came up with an equally good effort this year, and stole the show in the Grade 1, Hollywood Gold Cup Handicap in July. Including Game On Dude, many will miss Sutherland in the days to come. She is undoubtedly one of the best female riders
of all time. Speaking on her website, she stated:
"The moment has come where I have decided to announce my retirement from being a professional jockey; I almost can't believe it myself. Racing is so much hard work and takes so much mental toughness; I can honestly say that I've had enough."
On her association with Game On Dude, she uttered: "He's a soldier. Together we travelled the world. We won the Santa Anita Big Cap, Goodwood, and almost won the Breeder's Cup Classic. We travelled to Dubai and raced in the world's richest race, the Dubai
Duty Free World Cup."
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