Wilson to make history in Hong Kong

Two-time Sovereign Award winner Emma-Jayne Wilson will make history in Hong

Kong on Wednesday, as she will become the first woman rider ever to participate

in the Cathay Pacific International Jockeys' Championship (CXIJC) at Happy

Valley Racecourse. First held in 1998, the championship features 12 world-class

riders who compete in three designated races, and it serves as a popular prelude

to the Hong Kong International Races.

"Top Canadian jockey Emma-Jayne Wilson will be the first female rider to take

part in the Championship," said William Nader, Executive Director, Racing, Hong

Kong Jockey Club. "Wilson is becoming accustomed to achieving racing landmarks

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earlier this year she became the first female to win the Queen's Plate."

"This year we are proud to celebrate the 10th edition of the CXIJC, a

showcase for the talents of some of the world's top horsemen on one of the

world's most unique and magnificent racecourses," Nader said. "We are looking

forward to an exciting prelude to the Cathay Pacific Hong Kong International

Races at Sha Tin on Sunday, December 9."

Wilson is looking forward to competing against some of the sport's elite

riders.

"It's starting to sink in," said Wilson, who, in 2006, along with Hayley

Turner, became the first female jockeys to participate in the Dubai Duty Free

Shergar Cup at Ascot in England. "I'm flattered to be able to take part in an

event against some of the world's greatest jockeys. It's an absolute honor. I

hope to do Canada proud."

The CXIJC also features four-time French champion Olivier Peslier for a

record ninth time, while seven-time Hong Kong champion Douglas Whyte takes part

for the eighth straight season.

All 12 jockeys are randomly allocated their mounts and the winner will be the

one accumulating most points. The champion jockey will receive HK$200,000 and a

trophy. HK$100,000 will go to the runner-up.

Wilson, who captured the Woodbine riding title in 2005 and 2006, winning 175

races and 144 races, respectively, is once again in the middle of a strong

campaign at the Toronto oval.

Through Saturday, Wilson was second in the standings, with 128 wins,

including eight stakes, as well as nearly $8 million in purse earnings.

"I was able to experience the biggest thrill in my career to date by winning

the Queen's Plate. It's been a great year. Business always drops off when you

lose your apprentice allowance, but it didn't affect what I wanted to

accomplish. Without a doubt, I'm very happy."

Wilson, who also took home an Eclipse Award as champion apprentice in 2005,

won't be the only North American rider participating. Representing the United

States will be Eclipse Award winner Richard Migliore.

"I have been friends with Bill (Nader) for a long time, and when he raised

this opportunity, I knew that this was an adventure that I could not miss,"

Migliore said. "I am really looking forward to riding in Hong Kong."

The complete CXIJC field:

Howard Cheng - current leading rider in Hong Kong

Ted Durcan - six-time champion in the United Arab Emirates

Yasunari Iwata - up-and-coming rider in Japan

Richard Migliore - U.S. Eclipse Award winner with more than 4,000 career

victories

Ryan Moore - 2006 champion jockey in Great Britain

Damien Oliver - successful big-race rider in Australia

Olivier Peslier - four-time champion in France

Pat Smullen - four-time champion in Ireland

Christophe Soumillon - three-time champion in France

Andrasch Starke - five-time champion in Germany

Douglas Whyte - champion in Hong Kong for the last seven years

Emma-Jayne Wilson - two-time Sovereign Award winner in Canada