Chantal Sutherland and a big opportunity in the Golden Shaheen

The jockey will ride Super Chow in the G1 dirt sprint at the Dubai World Cup festival

Chantal Sutherland breezing Walk of Stars at Meydan / DRC

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (From a Special Correspondent).— After a long battle to return to riding following an unfortunate accident that nearly ended her career two years ago, Chantal Sutherland reunites with Super Chow in the Dubai Golden Shaheen (G1, 1200m, dirt), one of the toughest challenges of the Meydan weekend. At 49, the veteran jockey spent the winter in Dubai, working alongside Bhupat Seemar’s team at Zabeel Stables, an experience she has cherished.

“It’s been amazing. Dubai is a beautiful place,” Sutherland said Monday after training hours at Meydan. “Bhupat is a top-class trainer and manager, and his whole team is just a lot of fun. It’s a fantastic environment.”

On Saturday, she will reunite with Super Chow, a horse she has guided to five wins from six starts, including four at the stakes level, for trainer Jorge Delgado. The challenge is significant, but so is the excitement.

“This is a huge opportunity, and I’m very grateful to Bill and Paula Cosgrove, of Lea Farms, and to Jorge for their loyalty and unwavering support,” she said.

The task at hand will be one of the toughest yet, with contenders such as Tuz (Oxbow), last year’s winner, and Straight No Chaser (Speightster), the Breeders’ Cup Sprint (G1) champion. However, Sutherland is confident in her partner’s condition.

“Super Chow is doing great. I worked him, and he feels strong, healthy, and happy—that’s all we can ask for. Now, we just have to see how the race unfolds.”

A son of Lord Nelson, the colt is coming off his eighth career stakes victory in the Gulfstream Park Sprint. But beyond his on-track talent, he is also known for his big personality.

“He’s a character,” Sutherland said with a laugh. “Sometimes he’s all business, but he can also be playful—you have to watch out because he might try to bite. He loves rolling in the sand, he’s a very relaxed horse, never nervous or in a hurry.”

“He does his job perfectly. He loves being around people, even has his own masseuse, and enjoys all the attention. But when it’s time to race, it’s all professionalism—he’s got so much fight in him and a huge heart.”

Once the Dubai season wraps up, Sutherland will return to the U.S. to ride as Jorge Delgado’s first-call jockey at Monmouth Park (New Jersey).

“This has been like a vacation for me, but I’m looking forward to getting back to full-time racing and working hard for the people who believe in me,” she said.

A big performance by Super Chow in the Dubai Golden Shaheen would be the perfect ending to her Dubai adventure.