Emma-Jayne

By Jude T. Feld

The Blood-Horse headline read:

Wilson, On Mike Fox, First Female to Win Queen’s Plate

Jack Shinar’s article led with:

“Emma-Jayne Wilson became the first female jockey to win the Queen’s Plate in 148 editions when she guided 15-1 shot Mike Fox to a late-running half-length victory in the first leg of the Canadian Triple Crown at Woodbine Sunday.”

Thoroughbred Times posted:

Mike Fox gives Wilson historic Queen’s Plate win

And Mike Curry wrote:

“Two-time Sovereign Award winner Emma-Jayne Wilson became the first female jockey to win the Queen’s Plate Stakes in the race’s 148-year history when she guided Mike Fox to a half-length score on Sunday at Woodbine.”

Daily Racing Form was probably a little more to Emma-Jayne’s liking:

Mike Fox springs Queen’s Plate surprise

Ron Gierkink started out great:

“Under a strong ride by jockey Emma Wilson, longshot Mike Fox overhauled front-running Alezzandro three strides from the wire to capture the 148th running of the $1 million Queen’s Plate at Woodbine on Sunday.”

But then, in the very next paragraph, he couldn’t resist:

“Wilson became the first female rider to win the mile and a quarter event for 3-year-olds.”

There is no doubt that sex sells. This year’s Belmont Stakes (G1) is a prime example. “First Filly in 102 Years, Girl Beats the Boys,” and so on. But Emma-Jayne Wilson is not a novelty. She is a jockey.

“I am not a female rider,” she says. “I am a rider who happens to be female.”

Trainer Tom Proctor agrees.

“I knew her by reputation when she came to the Fair Grounds this year,” Proctor said. “After all, she won the Eclipse Award and the Sovereign Award as an apprentice, so I knew she had some talent. But it wasn’t ‘til the first time I shook her hand that I knew why she was so good. She damn near crushed my hand. It was still throbbing on the golf course that afternoon.”

Strong words from a 300 pound hulk of a guy with hands like catcher’s mitts.

Proctor also said, “She finishes as good as any man.”

I was at Fair Grounds this winter to witness that fact in person and yesterday, although I watched via satellite, Proctor’s observation was underscored, as Wilson finished the Queen’s Plate in a way that would make Laffit Pincay, Jr. proud.

Wilson rightfully credited her mount, Mike Fox, for his huge effort, but later revealed a bit about herself to Dave Perkins of the Toronto Star.

“Before I even started at the racetrack I was working for Park Stud at the Keeneland sales in 2001,” the rider said. “Last night I went through a book that I bought there, Women In Racing, when it first came out. I flipped through the pages and out fell a little piece of paper that I had written on. It said on this day, I, Emma-Jayne Wilson, promise – promise – to make it as a jockey.”

“It was dated, Sept. 14, 2001, and I remember writing it before I ever sat on a racehorse,” she said. “I can show it to you if you want. I’ve got it in (the jockeys’) room. I read it before I went out and rode this race and it gave me that inspiration I had deep down when I wanted to be a jockey, to make this happen.”

My mom used to say, “If wishes were horses then beggars would ride.” Wilson didn’t just wish to be a jockey someday. She made a promise to herself and then went out and did it. That should be inspiration to us all.

I do wish Emma-Jayne Wilson would have ridden Daaher, however. I would have cashed my tickets.

This entry was posted on Monday, June 25th, 2007 at 9:24 am and is filed under Featured Articles. Responses are currently closed, but you can trackback from your own site.