Hoss Talk

   Looking at his riding statistics from the Macao racetrack in China, Anthony Stephen has all the makings for a breakthrough year at Hastings Park, a racetrack often mentioned as one of the hardest   places for new jockeys to get a start in North America.
   
   During the six years from 1995 to 2001 riding in the Far East, Stephen managed to achieve purse earnings of $42,692,570 HK.
   
   Some of his victories were with several of China's top horses.

   Life as a jockey in Asia is unique for several reasons. Aside from the huge purse money they often earn, jockeys are idolized like movie and rock stars.
   
   While in Macao, Stephen married Dutch-born Henrike who was attending university on an exchange student program.
   
   Two years ago they became parents of two-year-old Nicole.

   "When she was four months old, we learned she was born profoundly deaf," said Henrike. 
   "At the beginning it was quite a shock, because we didn't know what to do about it.
   
   "With some help, we learned there was an operation that could be performed. Last December Nicole was operated on and everything was   successful.
   
   "If she works her speech processor she can actually hear."
   
   With Nicole being so young, her getting accustomed to the processor has had its problems.
   
   "Because she was born with no sound at all, she doesn't know any better," said the mom.
   
   "That is why we understand how it is difficult for her to use the hearing device. She's a happy little girl regardless of whether she can hear or not."
   
   Nicole's happiness comes in many ways. One is seeing her father dressed in colourful riding silks aboard a horse, a sight she could never experience in China where strict rules prohibit children from   attending races.
   
   "It's hard to believe, it was only last week here at Hastings Park that Nicole for the first time actually saw her dad up close in the paddock," said Henrike.
   
   "She had the biggest smile. You could see how proud she was of her father."
   
   They admit the constant strain of travelling around the world was no longer fun. And for Nicole's sake, a decision was made to make   Vancouver their final destination.
   
   "I learned about Vancouver from Pedro Alvarado who rode in Macao a few years ago," Anthony said.
   
   "He told me that it would be a great place, not only to ride, but also to raise my family. I then got in touch with Lorne Mitchell [assistant racing secretary at Hastings Park] who helped me get   working papers to ride in Vancouver."
   
   This jockey's goals are simple.
   
   "I want my daughter to see more of me in the winner's circle at Hastings Park," said the proud father.
   
   Judging by his win two days ago aboard Victor's Song, it is a goal not to far out of reach.
   
   FINISH LINES: It's still hockey and horse racing on the Sport of Kings, Saturday at 10 a.m. on CKVU-13. Features include former premier Canadian jockey Sandy Hawley's,  time spent in the penalty box in Los Angeles. - Could it be the recent warmer weather has helped the horse population at Hastings Park recover from their recent virus? There will be a healthy nine race cards on Saturday and Sunday. Factor in the free admission and horse racing has now become one of the best deals in town for sporting fans. - Go figure. If you played four games, all baseball, all today and bet them all ties, you would receive $212.40 with B.C. odds. The same $2 bet with Ontario Pro Line would get you $358.40. - On Sunday, three local jockeys, Dave Wilson, Fernando Serna and Chris Loseth will going south to ride at Emerald Downs in Washington.
   
   twolski@shaw.ca
   
   Tom Wolski can be seen on the Sport of Kings, 10 a.m. Saturday on CKVU.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Source: Vancouver Province
E-mail Tommy Wolski at twolski@home.com