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Patrick Husbands aboard Paramount Prince celebrates after winning the 164th running of the Kings’s Plate horse race in Toronto on Sunday, August 20, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Spencer Colby
By The Canadian Press

Triple Crown-winning jockey Patrick Husbands retires from thoroughbred racing

Apr 24, 2026 | 10:30 AM

TORONTO — Patrick Husbands will forever be a part of Canadian thoroughbred racing history.

The veteran jockey, who in 2003 guided Wando to the Canadian Triple Crown, retired from racing Friday following a decorated career that included over 3,700 victories. However, the 52-year-old resident of Brampton, Ont., left the door open to a potential return to the track.

“I have been riding since 1988, so that is 37 years that I have done this,” Husbands said. “This year, I am going to get on horses in the morning for Mark (trainer 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 I have a couple years left. But right now, my mind and body need that rest.”

Husbands, a native of Bridgetown, Barbados, has been a cornerstone of Canadian racing since 1994. Seven times he earned the Sovereign Awards as the country’s top jockey and five times was Woodbine’s leading rider.

“Patrick Husbands’ impact on Canadian Thoroughbred racing, and on Woodbine, is immeasurable,” said Michael Copeland, chief executive officer 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.”

Husbands has won nine Triple Crown races, including the King’s Plate on three occasions. That includes being aboard Wando when the horse became the last to win the Canadian Triple Crown.

“Winning the Triple Crown with Wando was just incredible,” he said. “I just wanted to ride one of those two horses (Wando, Mobil) that Mike Keogh trained.

“(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 I could have success with either of them.”

Last season, Husbands won 30 races, including five stakes events, and amassed nearly $2 million in purse earnings.

“I am still crying about it (retiring),” he said. “I am at a stage in my life where I don’t want to retire, but you can’t keep doing this forever.

“There are always ups and downs, but you never give up. Winning Sovereign Awards, the jockey championships, riding great horses who gave me those things _ I am so grateful to have had that success.”

Husbands’ other Plate wins came aboard filly Lexie Lou (2014) and Paramount Prince (2023). Both horses were trained by Casse.

“Mark is a mentor and also like a dad for me,” Husbands said. “Coming from Barbados, I lost my dad just after I got my jockey license and he only saw me ride two races.

“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. I kept working hard every day and listened to the advice people gave to me.”

In 2014, Husbands earned the Avelino Gomez Memorial Award for his significant contributions to Canadian racing. Then in 2024, he was inducted into the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame.

Husbands has ridden horses that have won over US$180 million in purse earnings, including ’07 Canadian Horse of the Year Sealy Hill. He also won the Barbados Gold Cup in his homeland four times.

“There are so many people that helped me along the way,” he said. “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.”

This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 24, 2026.

The Canadian Press


by The Canadian Press