Sutherland to resume riding career in Florida
HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Chantal Sutherland is switching circuits again. The 45-year-old jockey has been exercising horses this winter in Florida and now has decided to resume riding races, starting with the March 28 Florida Cup card at Tampa Bay Downs and into the Gulfstream Park spring-summer meet, which runs April 1 to Sept. 26.
Sutherland has not ridden since Dec. 9, and her 11 winners in 2020 were the fewest since she began riding in 2000, not counting when she left the sport for other pursuits in 2015. She said in a Gulfstream press release earlier this week that her decision to return “has been manifesting and growing in my heart over the last year.”
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“I want to ride as much as I can before releasing the hold to a sport that is part of me,” she said. “Someday I will face the expiration date that all jockeys and professional athletes must face, but not yet.”
Earlier in her career, Sutherland enjoyed considerable success in Canada, where she won the Sovereign Award for top apprentice rider in 2001 and 2002, and in Southern California, where she was the regular rider for the $6.5 million-earner Game On Dude in 2011 and 2012.
In recent seasons, however, Sutherland has struggled to find a niche. After leaving California some 3 1/2 years ago, she has ridden with moderate success in the Midwest, mostly in Kentucky, in addition to the long 2018 meet back home at Woodbine. Sutherland, a native of Winnipeg, has ridden regularly in other states as well during her 20-year career, including New York, Louisiana, Maryland, and Florida. She rode a combined 20 winners as a regular at Gulfstream in 2005-06.
Competition for mounts at Gulfstream becomes less difficult following the four-month championship meet, which ends March 28, as many top jockeys leave Florida for other circuits. Sutherland will be represented by agent John Salamone.
“I’ve had good feedback and vibes from everyone,” Sutherland said.