Hall of Fame jockey Patrick Husbands, 52, one of Canada’s most decorated riders, has announced his retirement from riding races.
A native of Bridgetown, Barbados, Husbands has been a cornerstone of Canadian Thoroughbred racing since 1994, becoming a fan favourite and the go-to rider for the big races. Over the course of his career, he amassed more than 3,700 victories, captured several Woodbine riding titles and Sovereign Awards as Canada’s Outstanding Jockey.
“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 rode the winners of nearly $2 million.
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.
