AN Ascot-winning jockey who ‘turned heads immediately’ in racing is on the brink of shattering the all-time earnings record.
Emma-Jayne Wilson, 41, is closing in on the colossal target set by legendary female rider Julie Krone.
AlamyEmma-Jayne Wilson is sprayed with Champagne by Hayley Turner as they celebrate Shergar Cup success at Ascot[/caption]
The famed US jockey, who became the first woman to win a Triple Crown race when she captured the Belmont Stakes aboard Colonial Affair, retired in 2004 having won $90,126,584 – around £71million in today’s cash.
THE SUN RACING MEMBERS ENCLOSURE
THE best bet for savvy punters.
Sign up now for just £1* to be part of racing’s best winner’s enclosure and get…
Two free racing tickets, four times a year
Templegate’s daily tips before anyone else
Tomorrow’s copy of The Favourite at 9pm today
Exclusive insights from Andrew Balding and Hayley Turner
VIP competitions from Racing Breaks each month
New customer offer with Coral
Become a member today for just £1*
*For the first month then £3 per month thereafter.
18+ Ts and Cs apply. First month membership £1, then £3 per month unless you cancel at least 7 days before your next billing date. For more information contact help@thesun.co.uk
But Wilson, who at 42 has many years ahead of her in the saddle, is rapidly approaching that target with lifetime earnings of $89,920,723 – just under £71m.
Canadian Wilson, who won the Shergar Cup Mile at Ascot on Jungle Cove in 2002, is also closing in on 2,000 career victories.
Breeders’ Cup-winning rider Krone hailed the ‘awesome’ Wilson and said she’s happy to see someone break her record imminently.
While Wilson said of Krone: “Julie’s success on the racetrack is only surpassed by the first-class person she is off it.
“She is an inspiration to me and so many others.
“I met her early on in my racing career and still have the papers at home.
“I wrote down absolutely everything I could of what she was saying so I’d remember it forever.
“That meant so much to me.”
Wilson has 21 wins from 146 rides in 2024 according to Equibase, with earnings of $759,151 (£599,137).
Her best year in the saddle was in 2008 when she amassed a staggering $8.6m, roughly £6.8m in today’s money.
Not that Wilson’s pays too much attention to that stuff.
Speaking recently on the enormous sums of money she is used to dealing with, married mum-of-two Wilson said: “As a competitor you know who your competition is, you know what you have to do.
“But for me, the numbers, the counting, the statistics aren’t my forte, although I’m aware of where I stand. It’s not my focus, winning races is my focus.”
“I’m one who likes to appreciate and acknowledge significant milestones as they come.
“I’ve been called a trailblazer and I can appreciate that.
“But for the challenges and stigmas I’ve had to face versus what the women who came before me had to face is nothing, and every step is a step closer.
“Without all of the people, and not just women, who came before me and helped break the stigma of gender, it wouldn’t be possible for me to be as successful as I am.
“That’s the same for everything in the world, really, not just horse racing. We’re still breaking boundaries and blazing trails today.”
FREE BETS – GET THE BEST SIGN UP DEALS AND RACING OFFERS
Commercial content notice: Taking one of the offers featured in this article may result in a payment to The Sun. You should be aware brands pay fees to appear in the highest placements on the page. 18+. T&Cs apply. gambleaware.org.
Remember to gamble responsibly
A responsible gambler is someone who:
Establishes time and monetary limits before playing
Only gambles with money they can afford to lose
Never chases their losses
Doesn’t gamble if they’re upset, angry or depressed
Gamcare – www.gamcare.org.uk
Gamble Aware – www.gambleaware.org
Find our detailed guide on responsible gambling practices here.