Emma-Jayne Wilson picked for Avelino Gomez Memorial Award

ETOBICOKE, Ontario — The popular Emma-Jayne Wilson has been named the 2018 recipient of the Avelino Gomez Memorial Award.
Presently annually on Woodbine Oaks Day, the honor is named in memory of one of Canadian racing’s most famous jockeys, Avelino Gomez, who died of complications following a spill in the 1980 Canadian Oaks.

The race was subsequently renamed the Woodbine Oaks, and will be run on June 9.

A native of Brampton, Ontario, the 36-year-old Wilson has won numerous awards and major races. The most prestigious of her 92 stakes victories came on Mike Fox in the 2007 Queen’s Plate, and she remains the only female rider to win the Canadian classic.

Wilson notched her first race at Fort Erie aboard Ali Olah on Aug. 28, 2004. She has won 1,436 races from 10,830 rides in North America. Her mounts have earned just over $70 million (U.S.).

Wilson won back-to-back Sovereign Awards as the top apprentice in 2005-06. She took the inaugural Pimlico Female Jockey Challenge in 2011, an event that helped raise money for breast cancer awareness. Wilson also captained the victorious all-female team in the 2015 Shergar Cup at Ascot.

“I’ve worked hard and been dedicated to the sport, so to be recognized in this way is truly special,” said Wilson, who has yet to ride at the current Woodbine meet due to injury.

The Avelino Gomez Memorial Award is given to Canadian jockeys who have made significant contributions to the sport. Past winners include Sandy Hawley, Ron Turcotte, Johnny Longden, Jeff Fell, and Mickey Walls.