B.C. Derby Attracts Woodbine’s Leading Jockeys

September 15, 2006

Emma-Jayne Wilson and Justin Stein, one-two in the jockey standings at Woodbine in Toronto, are both scheduled to ride in the $250,000-added British Columbia Derby on Sunday, Sept. 24 at Hastings Racecourse.

Wilson won the Eclipse Award as North America’s leading apprentice jockey in 2005 and last month joined England’s Hayley Turner as the first two female jockeys to ever ride in the Shergar Cup at Ascot. Wilson is named to ride Ok Nothanksforaskn owned by K.K. Sangara of Vancouver as one of 24 horses nominated for the B.C. Derby.

Stein, the leading apprentice and leading rider at Hastings in 2005 with 148 wins, has been named to ride Head Chopper. Stein is currently second to Emma-Jayne Wilson in the Woodbine jockey standings.

The 61st running of the B.C. Derby on Sept. 24 caps what promises to be an electrifying weekend at Hastings Racecourse. On the same card Sept. 24 is the $50,000 Sir Winston Churchill while on Saturday, Sept. 23 it’s Ladies Day and the annual running of the $150,000-added BC Breeders’ Cup Oaks.

CTV’s Tamara Taggart, voted three years in a row as Vancouver’s top television personality and named “Woman of the Year” at the Consumer’s Choice Awards, will decorate the winner of BC Breeders’ Cup Oaks. It’s a day when ladies are encouraged to enter the annual Hastings Hat Contest while they are enjoying free manicures, massages and a chance to win a River Rock spa package with a donation to the Crystal Gala Foundation in support of Breast Cancer Research.
To review: the BC Breeders’ Cup Oaks - Saturday, Sept. 23; Sir Winston Churchill and British Columbia Derby - Sunday, Sept. 24.

Special note to media: the B.C. Derby post position draw will be held at noon on Thursday, Sept. 21 in the Paddock area at Hastings; the Derby Dinner (cocktail reception) will be in the George Royal Room on Friday, Sept. 22 beginning at 7 p.m.

For Media & Entertainment Inquiries: Howard Blank @ 604.303.1000