An Ocala jockey who won 100 races during her first full season as a rider was recently awarded Outstanding Apprentice Jockey by the Jockey Club of Canada.
Sofia Vives claimed the award during the 49th Annual Sovereign Awards, which were held in Ontario, Canada last month.
According to the organization, Vives had 600 starts in Canada during the 2023 season, claiming 100 wins, 82 second places, and 74 third places. Vives won more races than any other apprentice (rookie) rider in 2023, according to the organization.
A graduate of West Port High School, Vives was born in South Carolina and raised in Ocala. She follows in the footsteps of her father, Lazaro Vives, who started 4,504 races and won 677, earning just under $6 million during his multi-year career, according to Equibase.
Over her short career dating back to the end of the 2022 season, like her father, Vives has already established winning ways. Vives claimed four wins in the 2022 season alone, despite just making 16 starts that year.
Last year, she participated in 764 races and won 122 of them. Throughout her career, Vives has claimed over 130 wins in under 800 races and is approaching $4 million in earnings, according to Equibase.
Last week, Vives claimed five wins during her first races of the year at Woodbine 2024, earning $154,884 for her efforts.
To follow the young jockey as she pursues her dreams, follow Sofia Vives on Twitter, Instagram, or Facebook.
For a complete list of this year’s winners, visit the results of the Jockey Club of Canada’s 49th Annual Sovereign Awards online.