Leading Canadian jockey Patrick Husbands retires from riding
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ETOBICOKE, Ontario—Hall of Famer Patrick Husbands, one of Canada’s most decorated jockeys, has announced his retirement from riding races.
A native of Bridgetown, Barbados, Husbands, 52, has been a cornerstone of Canadian Thoroughbred racing since 1994, becoming a fan favorite and the go-to rider for major races. Over the course of his career, he amassed more than 3,700 victories, won several Woodbine riding titles, and captured eight Sovereign Awards as Canada’s outstanding jockey.
"I have been riding since 1988, so that is 37 years that I have done this,” Husbands said. “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."
In 2025, Husbands won 30 races, including five stakes, and his mounts earned nearly $2 million.
“Patrick Husbands’s impact on Canadian Thoroughbred racing, and on Woodbine, is immeasurable,” said Woodbine Entertainment CEO Michael Copeland. “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 horsepeople. 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.”
Ranking at the top of Husbands’s numerous career highlights is the Canadian Triple Crown triumph in 2003 with Wando, Canada’s most recent Triple Crown winner. His victory aboard Wando in the Queen’s Plate was the first of three wins for Husbands in Canada’s most prestigious race, ahead of Lexie Lou in 2014 and Paramount Prince in 2023.
"That day, winning the Triple Crown with Wando was just incredible,” Husbands recalled. “I just wanted to ride one of those two horses" - Wando and Mobil - "that Mike Keogh trained. My agent was going to Mike every day, telling him that I just wanted to ride one of them. 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.”
Husbands and perennial leading Woodbine trainer Mark Casse are believed to be the track’s winningest jockey-trainer combo.
"Mark is a mentor and also like a dad for me,” Husbands said. “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."
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