CELEBRITY jockey Chantal Sutherland made history as the first female rider at the Dubai World Cup in 2012 aboard Game On Dude. Now, the trailblazing sportswoman opens up about her inspiring journey from the racetrack to the fairway, embracing golf as her new passion in the heart of the Emirate.
Chantal Sutherland – a name synonymous with excellence in horse racing – has added a surprising new passion to her life: golf. The Canadian jockey, widely regarded as one of the most famous female riders in the world, has embraced the game with the same drive and enthusiasm that defined her illustrious career on the track.
Her story, which combines strength and new beginnings, now includes her newfound obsession with the sport that has won her heart.
For Chantal, horse racing has long being more than a career; it’s in her DNA. As the daughter of a horse trainer, she grew up surrounded by the sport, developing a deep connection to it from a young age. Over the years, she carved out an extraordinary career, breaking barriers and achieving milestones that solidified her status as a global icon with over 1,200 career wins.
Chantal Sutherland riding Nevershow Weakness in action during the Dubai Racing Carnival at the Meydan Racecourse on January 10, 2025.
Some of her career highlights include becoming the first female jockey to win two of America’s most famous thoroughbred races – the Santa Anita Handicap and Hollywood Gold Cup with Game On Dude.
She was narrowly denied a third major triumph in the Breeders’ Cup Classic when Game On Dude finished a strong second to Drosselmeyer, ridden by Hall of Fame jockey Mike Smith, with whom she was romantically linked.
Her life in racing hasn’t been without challenges. In May 2023, Chantal’s career took a devastating turn when she suffered a life-threatening injury at Gulfstream Park. Thrown from her mount after geese startled her horse, she snapped the humerus bone off her shoulder in a horrific accident. The road to recovery was long and arduous, but Chantal’s grit and resilience saw her through.
“At times, I feared I would never ride again,” she admitted. “But I never gave up, and now I’m back, doing what I love.”
Now, nearly a year and a half later, she has returned to the saddle, riding for champion trainer Bhupat Seemar at Zabeel Stables in Dubai. She rides out on the Meydan track six mornings a week, embracing her second chance with determination. “I’ve got that fight mode again,” she said. “I feel super ready and super competitive.”
While horse racing remains her career, golf has become her escape, her sanctuary and her new obsession. “I love golf. It’s a hard game, but that’s what makes it so interesting, I would not have it any other way. I like to play hard,” Chantal said. “Every sport challenges you, not just physically but mentally. However, very few give you the chance to confront your inner self the way golf does. That’s what attracts me.”
Her enthusiasm for the sport is palpable. Since arriving in Dubai for the winter racing season last September, Chantal has immersed herself in the city’s vibrant golfing culture. She has been spotted at some of Dubai’s world-class courses where she soaks in the serene beauty of the pristine fairways and greens.
“There’s nothing like being outside on a beautifully groomed course, with dew still on the grass,” she shared. “It’s one of the few things that excites me.”
With the help of new friends that she has made in Dubai, including this writer, Chantal has attended DP World Tour tournaments in the UAE, including the DP World Tour Championship held at Jumeirah Golf Estates, where she says she enjoys the “energy’ and draws inspiration from the golf’s top players.
“The golf courses in the UAE are stunning, and the atmosphere is incredible. I absolutely love being in Dubai and the practice facilities here are like nothing else. Which is definitely helping to improve my game, especially the par3 courses.”
For Chantal, golf is more than just a part-time thing; it’s a transformative experience. “When I step onto the first tee, everything else fades away,” she says. “I put my phone on mute and just focus on the game. It’s like heaven on earth. Other sports like hiking or running might offer a similar escape, but golf requires such deep concentration that it forces the rest of the world away. For those three or four hours that you’re out on the course, it’s just you against yourself and it’s such a special experience.
“Don’t be fooled, golf is a tough sport, but that’s what makes it so exciting. Every shot represents a challenge and when you finally hit that perfect shot, it’s an incredible feeling – a moment where you feel truly in sync with something greater than yourself.”
As a fiercely competitive individual, Chantal relishes the opportunity to improve her game which she describes as ‘not being all that great’.
“Golf is all about numbers,” she said. “You can track your stats, pinpoint where to improve, and set goals to work toward. For someone like me, who thrives on challenges and constant improvement, that’s incredibly satisfying.’”
Chantal’s passion for golf underscores the similarities between the mental challenges of horse racing and those of golf.
“Both sports require immense focus and mental strength,” she said. In racing, you have to shake off a bad ride and stay motivated, just as you need to recover from a poor golf shot. It’s all about maintaining determination and focus.
She also pointed out that athletes from different sports are often drawn to golf because they’re ‘naturally talented’ and the mental skills they developed in their primary sport often transfer to golf, making it a perfect fit.”
Beyond the track and the course, Chantal is a celebrity in her own right. Her modelling career has included shoots for iconic publications like Vanity Fair and Vogue, where she was photographed by the legendary Annie Leibovitz. She also gained widespread fame as a TV personality, starring in the reality show Jockeys and captivating audiences with her charisma and openness.
“We had cameras shoved in our faces a lot,” she recalled. “It was crazy, but the show was great for horse racing. It brought attention to the sport and showcased our lives in a way people hadn’t seen before.”
Despite her many successes, Chantal has faced significant personal challenges, including heartbreak and the ups and downs of fame. But she remains refreshingly candid about her journey. “I’ve had my share of tough times, but I’ve always made an effort to maintain the belief that amazing things lie ahead for me,” she said.
For now, Chantal is fully embracing life in Dubai. “I’m super happy here,” she said. “Dubai is futuristic, the architecture is stunning, and the people are so friendly. It’s also incredibly safe, which I love.”
Her days are a balance of riding out early in the morning at Meydan while she spends many an afternoon exploring Dubai’s golf courses. She’s even exploring the possibility of staying longer in Dubai, and perhaps even investing in a property.
At 48, Chantal Sutherland is a living example of resilience, reinvention, and following your passions. Whether she’s riding horses or hitting the golf course, she puts the same energy and joy into everything she does. More importantly, her journey demonstrates that it’s never too late to take on new challenges and discover beauty in the unexpected.
“I know I can’t ride forever,” she reflects. “But as long as I have the opportunity here in Dubai, I’m going for it. And who knows? Perhaps golf will be my next great adventure.
