Horse Racing Capsules: Female jockey to make history at Dubai World Cup
Sutherland will ride Game On Dude in the $10 million Dubai World Cup, the latest breakthrough for the 36-year-old rider from Toronto. She is one of several dozen female jockeys racing in North America, and perhaps the most well known.
"I don't feel pressure. I feel really honored and grateful," Sutherland said. "As soon as the gates open, I think I've made history. I hope I'm one of many to come in the Dubai World Cup and hope I see more women making it at this level. There are a lot of great female jockeys."
Sutherland remains somewhat of an anomaly in the male-dominated, tradition-rich sport of horse racing where owners often hesitate to give females a chance and women lack the kind of role models and support network enjoyed by the male jockeys.
But the 12-year veteran said things are gradually changing.
More women are getting rides in big races like the Kentucky Derby and Breeders' Cup Classic. Their numbers are slowly increasing in the U.S., Australia and Europe. The industry, too, is starting to recognize the benefits of female jockeys — especially when it comes to attracting a new audience to a sport that is struggling to stay afloat financially.
She was predeceased by her parents; her husband, Harry Matthews; her son, Larry Matthews; a brother, Harry Palmer; and her sisters, Noma Fratzel and Vivian Winslow. Hazel is survived by her loving children, Evelyn Roman, Geraldine Coffin and her