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Meet Chantal Sutherland

The Female Star

Chantal Sutherland

The Female Star

Meet the Jockeys

Chantal's Stats
Height: 5'2"
Weight: 105 lbs.
Born: February 23, 1976; Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
Residence: California/Canada
Family: Single; father Hugh Sutherland; mother Diane Gignac; sister Dominique; Brother Hugh

Chantal Sutherland began her career as a jockey in 2000 when she decided that becoming an airline pilot was not what she wanted to do with her life. In the eight years since, she has become one of the top riders in Canada and one of the most recognizable jockeys in the world. In only her second year of racing, Sutherland won 124 races in a single season and has amassed 450 wins since. In August 2008, Sutherland had a victorious day at Woodbine, having won five races in one day.

Sutherland grew up in Manitoba, Canada. In her teenage years, she excelled at sports, avidly playing field hockey and even competed for Canada's national Junior World Cup team. She was introduced to horses through jumping and dressage. Despite early warnings from her father against racing, Sutherland eventually found her calling on the racetrack. After graduating from York University in Toronto with a degree in communications and psychology, Sutherland explored flat racing and was trained by professional jockeys Angel Cordero, Shane Sellers and Edgar Prado.

Sutherland quickly became a top rider in Canada, but as nice as her success was, she realized that riding in Canada was never going to land her in the Kentucky Derby or The Breeders' Cup races. Sutherland knew that Santa Anita is the place that high caliber jockeys call home, which is why this year she has relocated to southern California.

Off the tracks, Sutherland also is known for her beauty, grace and charm. Sutherland was named one of People Magazine's 100 Most Beautiful People in 2006 and was photographed by Annie Liebovitz for a four-page spread in Vogue. Sutherland is the model spokesperson for Mistura Cosmetics, a Canadian-based company that launched in 2008. She is coming out with an eco-friendly perfume line called "Chantal."