In one of Australian racing's biggest announcements of the year, Harness Racing Victoria has revealed that Canadian-born jockey Chantal Sutherland is headed downunder to compete.
Not only will Australian crowds get to see Sutherland on the track, she will also be one of the Great Southern Star ambassadors along with local reinswoman Kate Gath.
And while Sutherland is best known for her work in the thoroughbred industry, it’s her roots which have always drawn her towards the Trots.
Having experience with standardbreds from a young age, the 37-year-old proved her skills in a time trial at The Meadows Racetrack on September 23, 2013 breaking the North American record with an open class trotter under saddle.
From that has spawned the idea to have Sutherland compete on Pryde’s EasiFeed Great Southern Star night in the inaugural Aldebaran Park Monte Series.
Sutherland will also be a guest at the Great Southern Star Launch Cocktail Party on March 19 and a judge in the Fashions on the Field contest to be held in conjunction with the Great Southern Star racenight.
“I'm very excited to experience Australia for the first time and am honoured to have been asked to be an ambassador and ride in the Monte race on Great Southern Star Night. I look forward to the exciting events that have been planned and meeting all of the racing fans,” Sutherland said.
The respected horsewoman won’t just be known to racing fans through her career in the saddle but also her work on the big screen having starred in the reality television series ‘Jockeys’ as well as a part in the Dustin Hoffman-led drama series Luck.
With a Hollywood Gold Cup and Santa Anita Handicap to her name, Sutherland might be most well-known for her association with Kentucky Derby winner Mine That Bird and star gelding Game On Dude.
In fact, the Canadian made history by becoming the first woman to ever ride in the Dubai World Cup in 2011 and she will again break new ground when riding in Australia on March 22.
Sutherland’s list of achievements go far beyond that however, with 931 career wins to her name and dozens of big races, she has become one of the most recognizable names in North American racing.
The Pryde’s EasiFeed Great Southern Star will be run jointly with the Lyn McPherson Memorial Breed For Speed Girls’ Night Out supporting the Women’s Cancer Foundation Ovarian Cancer Institute and after raising almost $75,000 last year, hopes are again high for another record breaking event.
(HRV)