Inside the Jockeys’ Room with Chantal Sutherland-Kruse
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Photo by Eclipse Sportswire
Hall of Fame jockey Gary Stevens and Chantal Sutherland-Kruse, a two-time Sovereign Award winner in her native Canada, take America's Best Racing's readers inside the jockeys' room in 2014. Stevens and Sutherland-Kruse will provide answers to all sorts of questions such as how jockeys get paid, what goes on between races, whom they admire and what type of music and fashion style they favor.
In this edition of Inside the Jockeys' Room we learn a little more about how Sutherland-Kruse became a jockey and she also tells us the best advice she's ever received.
Did you have to go to a special school or take training to become a jockey? Who taught you how to become a successful jockey?
SUTHERLAND-KRUSE: The time that I decided to be a jockey was after university, and I did not know of any schools to learn to be a jockey. Most of my life up until then was learning about biology, psychology, stats and biomechanics. So, I figured that if I went to the track then I could figure the rest out for myself, with my dad's permission of course. Having said that, I did do my research and learned who I needed to meet to educate myself on and about the track. It turned out that I was able to learn of the name of Angel Cordero. He seemed like an important person in racing. So, I called information and came along two Corderos and called the first number and he answered.
How much does a jockey earn in a year? What’s the most money you’ve ever made in your best year?
SUTHERLAND-KRUSE: What a jockey earns in a year is very unpredictable. To better understand what a jockey earns you must first start with what each mount you ride makes. A jockey’s mount is worth $75 and called a jock’s mount (each track has a different jock’s mount in which they pay). An agent receives 25% of that and your valet receives 5% of that. It is always important to remember that half of that must be put aside for taxes and, in my case, being Canadian, I must share half of that with Canadian tax laws as well, no kidding. Having said that, when you are winning and frequently winning, then you are doing well. My best weeks in Canada I was averaging $25,000 to $30,000 a week, and this is public information. Many jockeys make more and some less than this. Currently, I am nowhere near that amount. Jockeys make 10% of the 60% of what the owner takes home. The trainer also takes 10% of that 60% and does not pay an agent or valet but does have other expenses after day rate. Both trainer and jockey have high stakes, and I do believe owners do, too.
What app do you use the most?
SUTHERLAND-KRUSE: The app that I use the most is Horse Races NOW to check what races I ride and watch replays. Also, I use audible.com and love it, I read books in the jocks’ room when I am not racing and listen to books on audible for my drive to and from work every day, it keeps my sanity. My favorite books right now are “Killing Jesus” by Bill O'Reilly and “Ender’s Game” by Orson Scott Card.
Are you allowed to gamble on races you’re not involved in? Do jockeys gamble?
SUTHERLAND-KRUSE: I am technically allowed to gamble in races that I am not in. Do jockey’s gamble … do humans breathe air?
My look can best be described as … ?
SUTHERLAND-KRUSE: My style is all over the place … mostly sexy conservative with a twist.
Ideal playlist on my iPod would have these five songs:
SUTHERLAND-KRUSE: Just Pandora.
People tell me I remind them of … ?
SUTHERLAND-KRUSE: People have said that I remind them of Olivia Newton-John or Madonna.
If I had one word to share with the Millennial generation, it would be … ?
SUTHERLAND-KRUSE: Find a way to be peaceful and take care of the planet.
The best advice I ever got was from … ?
SUTHERLAND-KRUSE: Best advice was from my mom … “Go to your destiny!”
There is nothing in the universe more powerful than … ?
SUTHERLAND-KRUSE: God