One of Canada’s top drivers, Emma-Jayne Wilson, became the highest-earning female driver in North American racing history on July 11. Honeysuckle.
The 42-year-old rider surpassed the long-standing record of $90,126,584 held by Hall of Fame member Julie Krone when she won the fourth race, the $56,214 colt special prize, on Charles Fipke’s home horse. The Perfect Bee coached by another Hall of Famer, Roger Attfield. Wilson entered the winner’s circle after the win with total career earnings of $90,152,742.
“It’s not necessarily about winning. It’s about seconds, thirds, fourths, fifths, all of it,” Wilson said. “To break the record with a win with those connections, I mean, you couldn’t write a better story. I really tried my best not to get too emotional.”
Fighting back tears, Wilson continued.
“I mean, I’m so used to putting my emotions aside for races and focusing completely on each stage, but this race means a lot to me.”
Emma-Jayne Wilson becomes the highest-earning female horsewoman of all time after winning on Perfect Lady Bee for owner/breeder Charles Fipke and trainer Roger Attfield
As she approached Krone’s achievement earlier this summer, Wilson shared with Woodbine that Krone was “an inspiration to me and so many others.”
After breaking the record on Thursday night, the significance of that achievement began to emerge.
“You know, it’s not about beating (Krone). It’s about being one of the girls who put women on the map,” Wilson said.
Wilson’s career took off in 2004, the same year Krone retired. The following year, 2005, Wilson became Woodbine’s top rider as a trainee, winning both the Sovereign Award and the Eclipse Award for her achievements. Then, in 2006, she won both the Woodbine title and a second Sovereign Award as outstanding trainee.
She won the country’s prestigious Queen’s Plate on Mike Fox in 2007 and has since claimed three Grade 1 wins.
Mike Fox, ridden by Emma-Jayne Wilson, won the 2007 Queen’s Plate at Woodbine
Now in her 20th season at Woodbine, Wilson has more than 1,900 career wins. A respected ambassador for the sport, she received the coveted Avelino Gomez Memorial Award in 2018, which honors a rider’s significant contributions to the sport.
Surrounded by friends and fellow riders, Emma Jayne Wilson receives the 2018 Avelino Gomez Award for outstanding horsemanship at Woodbine
Wilson has taken her talents around the world, including riding in Hong Kong in 2008 and captaining the Women’s Team to victory in the Shergar Cup at Ascot in 2015.
She and her wife, Laura Trotter, are the proud parents of twins Grace and Avery.
Rider Emma-Jayne Wilson and honorary trainer Roger Attfield share a laugh in 2023 as the trainer and his horse escort her on Twowaycrossin during a morning workout at Woodbine
