Jockey Patrick Husbands

His Origins:

Patrick Husbands was born on May 22, 1973, in Bridgetown, Barbados, and currently lives in Brampton, Ontario. He comes from a racing family and his father, Walter, was a jockey. One of his brothers, Anthony, is a former Woodbine rider and outrider and another brother, Simon, also rides at Woodbine. He started breezing horses at age 7 and won the prestigious Cockspur Cup in Barbados at age 16 aboard Vardar.

Canadian Success:

Husbands moved to Woodbine in 1994 and won 12 races that first year, then 50 in 1995, and won his first stakes race there in 1998. He continued to improve and won his first of seven total Sovereign Award as Canada's top jockey in 1999. He has won most of Woodbine's major stakes at least once and took the Canadian Triple Crown - the Queen's Plate, Prince of Wales, and Breeders' Stakes - aboard Wando in 2003. He also won the Triple Tiara for fillies in 2007 aboard Sealy Hill, who also finished second with Husbands aboard in the 2008 Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Turf.

Personal Success:

Husbands became a Canadian citizen in 2000. He was honoured in his native Barbados for his 2003 Triple Crown victory, highlighted by 'Patrick Husbands Day' at the Garrison Savannah racetrack on January 3, 2004. The Barbados government awarded Husbands the Barbados Service Star (BSS) in the country's Independence Day honours' list. He also took part in the second annual Barbados Jockey's Challenge on New Year's Day, 2005, helping the home team defeat Team England 76-65 in the three-race event.

2,000 Wins and Counting:

Husbands reached the 2,000-win milestone in the 10th race at Woodbine on October 4, aboard 3-year-old gelding Grazettes Landing for trainer Mark Casse and owner Eugene Melnyk. He said, "It's a great honor. I've won about 600 (races) and change for Mark Casse. He's made me who I am today. I give him all the credit. My agent Gary Kemplen is doing a fantastic job. One of the first guys who really gave me an opening at Woodbine was Reade Baker. He was one of the first big outfits that gave me the break."

Winning Connections:

Husbands credits trainer Roger Attfield for getting his start at Woodbine and currently he is a regular rider for top Canadian trainer Mark Casse. In addition to the previously mentioned Wando and Sealy Hill, some of his other stakes winners include Numerous Times, Williams News, Kimchi, Seattlespectacular, Mobil, Arch Hall, Legal Move, Skip Code, Marchfield, Royal Challenger, Royal Oath, Sterwins, Added Edge, Smart Enough, Seaside Retreat, Dancer's Bajan, and Exciting Story.