Hall of Fame jockey Patrick Husbands, one of Canada's most decorated riders, is retiring from riding races, according to an April 24 announcement from Woodbine.
A native of Bridgetown, Barbados, Husbands has been a cornerstone of Canadian Thoroughbred racing since 1994, becoming a fan favorite and the go-to rider for the big races. Over the course of his career, he won 3,714 races and captured several Woodbine riding titles and eight Sovereign Awards as Canada's Outstanding Jockey. His mounts have earned more than $184 million.
"I have been riding since 1988, so that is 37 years that I have done this," reflected Husbands. "It's been a long time, so this year, I needed to give my body and mind a break. This year, I am going to get on horses in the morning for Mark (Casse) and my brother (Anthony). I want to give back to the both of them and show them my respect.
"I can say I am retired, but next year, one morning, I might wake up and say that I have a couple years left. But right now, my mind and body need that rest."
Husbands' decision to step away comes while still performing at an elite level. In 2025, Husbands won 30 races, including five stakes events, and captured nearly $2 million in purses.
"Patrick Husbands' impact on Canadian Thoroughbred racing, and on Woodbine, is immeasurable," said Michael Copeland, CEO of Woodbine Entertainment. "For more than three decades, Patrick competed at the highest level with talent, professionalism and a deep respect for the sport. He has been a champion in the saddle and an inspiration to generations of fans, jockeys and horse people. On behalf of everyone at Woodbine, we congratulate Patrick on an extraordinary career and thank him sincerely for everything he has given to our sport."
Further reflecting on his decision to retire, Husbands added, "I am still crying about it (retiring). I am at a stage in my life where I don't want to retire, but you can't keep doing this forever. Every day was a challenge. There are always ups and downs, but you never give up. You deal with injuries, losing a race you should have won and other things, but whenever you win, there is no feeling like that in the world.
"Winning Sovereign Awards, the jockey championships, riding great horses who gave me those things—I am so grateful to have had that success."
Ranking at the top of Husbands' many career highlights is the unforgettable Canadian Triple Crown triumph in 2003 with Wando, who is Canada's most recent Triple Crown winner. The victory with Wando in the Queen's Plate was the first of three wins for Husbands in Canada's most prestigious race (2014 Lexie Lou and 2023 Paramount Prince).
Husbands can still recall each detail on the path to the Triple Crown victory he achieved Aug. 9, 2003.
"That day, winning the Triple Crown with Wando was just incredible. I just wanted to ride one of those two horses that Mike Keogh trained," he said referring also to Mobil. "My agent was going to Mike every day, telling him that I just wanted to ride one of them. (Jockey) Todd Kabel chose Mobil. I had confidence that whatever one of the Mike Keogh horses I rode, I could win the Plate and even the Triple Crown. Both horses were so talented and I felt that I could have success with either of them.
"The first thing that went through my mind when we won the Triple Crown was, 'I got it done … I can't believe it.' The race was a real cat-and-mouse game. Sam-Son had three horses and the jockeys—Slade Callaghan, Rob Landy and Todd Kabel—they didn't make it easy on us.
"We left the gate and into the first turn I went behind Rob Landry and he was looking left and right," he continued. "Slade shouted out, 'He's behind your tail!' They were making us work for it. Into the turn for home, I made a dash inside and then I was able to get back to the outside and then Wando put his head down and started running his heart out."
Husbands is quick to point out the great partners he's had, both equine and human, throughout his career. The argument can be made the greatest jockey/trainer duo in Woodbine history is that of Husbands and Casse.
"Mark is a mentor and also like a dad for me. Coming from Barbados, I lost my dad just after I got my jockey license, and he only saw me ride two races. Unfortunately, he passed away from heart issues.
"Coming up here (Woodbine), I was lucky enough to have so many people who are like mothers and fathers to me - Mark Casse, Reade Baker, Tom Patton, Sr. and so many others. Everybody always told me to keep focused and that I would be able to make it here at Woodbine. I kept working hard every day and listened to the advice people gave to me."
The efforts and talents of Husbands have been recognized on many occasions.
The Sovereign Award for Outstanding Jockey was awarded to Husbands a record eight times, in including three consecutive titles won in 2000-02 and 2007-09. In 2014, he was also presented with the prestigious Avelino Gomez Memorial Award for his significant contributions to Canadian racing. He was enshrined in the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame in 2024.
An icon and ambassador in his home nation of Barbados, Husbands won the Barbados Gold Cup four times and was recognized with "Patrick Husbands Day" on Jan. 3, 2004. Woodbine celebrated Husbands' 30-year anniversary of racing in Canada with its own "Patrick Husbands Day" on May 18, 2024, and fittingly, he won that day's stakes event.
The passion for the sport has not left Husbands, but for now, he turns his focus to rest.
"I don't think any jockey who has ever lived loves horses as much as I do. I love horses. Throughout my whole career riding in Canada, 31 years, I didn't sleep at night because I was thinking about racing these horses. And that is a downfall. Every human being needs rest. I read that racing form, inside and out. I want to know everything about my horses. I love them more than I could ever say."
Woodbine and its racing community expressed deep appreciation for Husbands' contributions at the highest level of Canadian racing, which is why Husbands said the decision to step away is so tough.
"There are so many people that helped me along the way. I want to say thank you to everyone who has helped me in my career and how lucky I was to ride at Woodbine. I was able to do things that I never thought were possible and I am thankful every day," he said.
This press release has been edited for content and style by BloodHorse Staff.
