Profiled in Canadian Thoroughbred’s Faces at the Races monthly feature, Corrine Andros appears to be on the fast track to success. The personable rider won 18 races at Hastings Park in 2014, including four wins on the May 17, eight-race card.

Andros talks advice, designing her own racing silks and plays handicapper when it comes to what she’s looking to achieve in the next five years.

What was the best memory of winning your first race?

The entire race. From the paddock, when the trainer, Craig MacPherson, told me to go win it, and my response was, ‘We will!’ to when I asked Vying For Glory to move and he did. He didn’t stop and I never even cocked my stick. It was Craig’s first win in 2014, which meant a lot to me to be able to do that for him. And my first professional win off the bush tracks, which, of course, marked the beginning of my career.

What’s the best advice you’ve received so far?

It wasn’t so much advice as a statement. I was talking to (jockey) Mike Smith and he told me that it never mattered where he was riding or what, that he was just always happy to ride. Which is the way I’ve always felt. Racing has its ups and downs, but remembering that, that I do this for the love of the horse, has always kept me afloat when times have been tough and kept me humble when they’ve been exceptional. It’s all about the horse.

If you weren’t a jockey, what would you be doing?

I’d probably be doing what I’ve done since I was 14, correcting and training horses for all kinds of western disciplines. Though I feel I was meant for this, so at this point I really can’t imagine doing or being anything else.

Which jockey would you like to sit down with and talk horse racing?

I’ve been lucky enough to have met and had conversations with a few greats. Lester Piggot and Chris McCarron, who I met most recently in Abu Dhabi, were quite interesting! So, I guess now I’d really love to chat with Laffit Pincay Jr. and Julie Krone.

What is your favourite place to visit in British Columbia and why?

Terrace. It’s up north where my mom lives. It’s just a small town between rivers in a little mountain valley. When I’m there no one really knows who I am. I get to see my momma who’s been my biggest fan and it’s easy to relax and forget everything for a little while.

You’ve done a lot of traveling in 2014. Where’s the best place you’ve been and why?

Abu Dhabi. I was there for the month of November and met so many amazing, talented, accomplished people in the racing world and otherwise from quite literally all over the world. The weather was perfect. It was never below 20 degrees and during the day it generally stayed at about 30 degrees. The Arabian horses I was lucky enough to experience at Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club were incredible athletes, light on their feet, fast and wicked smart. Abu Dhabi was amazing all around, from the locals, to the animals and the beaches. I look forward to my return.

If you could design your own racing silks, what would they look like?

White and gold. When I retire I plan to own a couple of horses. So my silks will be white and gold. Though I haven’t decided on a design just yet.

If you were named the Commissioner of all horse racing in North America what would be the first thing you would change?

The weight for riders. It seems we have the lightest weights in the world and I’ve watched riders suffer from it because of their passion for riding. I hate to see my fellow jocks killing themselves for the love of the horse when the rest of the world’s lightest weight is like our heaviest and they are thriving. Australia, I believe, is the best example.

Handicap the odds the following will occur in the next 5 years:

You will win a riding title – 2/1

You will ride in the Queen’s Plate – 3/1

You will win five races on one card – 1/1

You will win the BC Derby – 5/1

You will win 100 races in a season – 4/1