Husbands and brothers
December 14th 2008 08:07
In Canada Woodbine stewards have suspended jockey Simon Husbands for one year after coming to the conclusion that he did not try his hardest to win on his mount Bug’s Boy when second at Woodbine on November the 30th.
(photo: Anne M Eberhardt)
Simon Husbands’ brother, Patrick Husbands, rode Come On Love to victory in the race with his brother Simon three-quarters of a length behind in second placing.
“Mr. Husbands did not persevere with his mount throughout the race or demonstrate an effort to ensure the best and fastest race of which his mount was capable.” - Brent Stone, Ontario Racing Supervisor of Thoroughbred Racing.
Patrick Husbands has now gone on to win his fifth Woodbine riding title.
Patrick Husbands was as far as 27 wins behind eventual Championship runner-up James McAleney in mid September. He rode multiple winners on many of the programs to snatch his fifth title since coming to Canada from Barbados in 1994. He has ridden more than 1680 winners and has won the Sovereign Award for Outstanding Jockey on 5 occasions.
In 2008 Patrick Husbands won 166 races and is a finalist again for the Sovereign Awards.
Sovereign Award for Outstanding Jockey
(1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2007)
Leading jockey at Woodbine Racetrack
(1999, 2000, 2002, 2007, 2008)
The success of Patrick Husbands in Canada has resulted in a surge of riding talent from the Caribbean to move to Canada. Ironically it was Simon Husbands who was first established in Canada and who persuaded his brother to move for greater opportunities.
Born on May 22, 1973, Patrick Husbands enjoyed historic success early in his career. In 1990, at age 16, he became the youngest rider ever to win the Barbados Gold Cup on Vardar. He was Champion jockey of Barbados in 1993 at a mere 20 years old. He would begin to have annual riding stints in Canada from 1994, although it did take several years before he would make an impact. His breakthrough season was 1998 when he finished third in the Woodbine jockeys’ championship with 131 victories.
Doctors have advised Patrick not to stretch his career beyond the age of 35. His natural body weight is above the ideal range for jockeys – generally considered to be between 100-115 pounds – and it is a strain on his health to maintain a riders’ weight.
“I know my career is (supposed to be) coming to an end. I was planning to quit riding in another three years, because health-wise I am too big as a rider, but I’ve reached so far now in racing that I don’t feel I could just stop. I would have to (first) win a Breeder’s Cup or a (Kentucky) Derby.” - Patrick Husbands.
Below is the video of the race. Bug’s Boy is number 2 and can be clearly seen making a move along the rails as the field turns for home. It is an exceptionally ‘cold’ ride. Admittedly most of the jockeys in this race appear to be vary passive - apart from Patrick Husband on the winner. It was a 7 furlong claiming event for maiden performers and the ability and race-manners of many horses perhaps lacking. Bug’s Boy did appear to be an easy ride and went anywhere he was placed in the field. At about 100 metres from the line he brushes with the 3rd placegetter who is ducking in - but Bug’s Boy then goes to the line apparently under his own steam. Really, by Australian standards most of the jockeys look sedated and disinterested. I’ve probably seen much worse rides - those rides that see a horse take off up a hill to ‘hold a forward position’, or finding the rails way back and buried in the field. There is only the slightest hint of hands-and-heels urging in the latter stages. If riding from the grandstand I would have been much more vigourous. But great credit for the passage Simon would weave on Bug’s Boy. Perfect ride in almost all degrees. Almost all.
Brothers would normally knock each other over in sibling rivalry and competition. The Husbands brothers appear to have a respect and genuine desire for the other to succeed. I hope this is not a case of a wish gone wrong.
Third placed horse in this race was Blu Them Away also ridden by another jockey from the West Indies, Anthony Stephen from Trinidad. Simon Husbands is lodging an appeal against the decision and penalty.
Look for Simon Husbands on horse number 2. Make your own decision:
Patrick Husbands: champion jockey
(photo: Anne M Eberhardt)
Simon Husbands’ brother, Patrick Husbands, rode Come On Love to victory in the race with his brother Simon three-quarters of a length behind in second placing.
“Mr. Husbands did not persevere with his mount throughout the race or demonstrate an effort to ensure the best and fastest race of which his mount was capable.” - Brent Stone, Ontario Racing Supervisor of Thoroughbred Racing.
Patrick Husbands has now gone on to win his fifth Woodbine riding title.
Patrick Husbands was as far as 27 wins behind eventual Championship runner-up James McAleney in mid September. He rode multiple winners on many of the programs to snatch his fifth title since coming to Canada from Barbados in 1994. He has ridden more than 1680 winners and has won the Sovereign Award for Outstanding Jockey on 5 occasions.
In 2008 Patrick Husbands won 166 races and is a finalist again for the Sovereign Awards.
Sovereign Award for Outstanding Jockey
(1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2007)
(1999, 2000, 2002, 2007, 2008)
The success of Patrick Husbands in Canada has resulted in a surge of riding talent from the Caribbean to move to Canada. Ironically it was Simon Husbands who was first established in Canada and who persuaded his brother to move for greater opportunities.
Born on May 22, 1973, Patrick Husbands enjoyed historic success early in his career. In 1990, at age 16, he became the youngest rider ever to win the Barbados Gold Cup on Vardar. He was Champion jockey of Barbados in 1993 at a mere 20 years old. He would begin to have annual riding stints in Canada from 1994, although it did take several years before he would make an impact. His breakthrough season was 1998 when he finished third in the Woodbine jockeys’ championship with 131 victories.
Doctors have advised Patrick not to stretch his career beyond the age of 35. His natural body weight is above the ideal range for jockeys – generally considered to be between 100-115 pounds – and it is a strain on his health to maintain a riders’ weight.
“I know my career is (supposed to be) coming to an end. I was planning to quit riding in another three years, because health-wise I am too big as a rider, but I’ve reached so far now in racing that I don’t feel I could just stop. I would have to (first) win a Breeder’s Cup or a (Kentucky) Derby.” - Patrick Husbands.
Below is the video of the race. Bug’s Boy is number 2 and can be clearly seen making a move along the rails as the field turns for home. It is an exceptionally ‘cold’ ride. Admittedly most of the jockeys in this race appear to be vary passive - apart from Patrick Husband on the winner. It was a 7 furlong claiming event for maiden performers and the ability and race-manners of many horses perhaps lacking. Bug’s Boy did appear to be an easy ride and went anywhere he was placed in the field. At about 100 metres from the line he brushes with the 3rd placegetter who is ducking in - but Bug’s Boy then goes to the line apparently under his own steam. Really, by Australian standards most of the jockeys look sedated and disinterested. I’ve probably seen much worse rides - those rides that see a horse take off up a hill to ‘hold a forward position’, or finding the rails way back and buried in the field. There is only the slightest hint of hands-and-heels urging in the latter stages. If riding from the grandstand I would have been much more vigourous. But great credit for the passage Simon would weave on Bug’s Boy. Perfect ride in almost all degrees. Almost all.
Brothers would normally knock each other over in sibling rivalry and competition. The Husbands brothers appear to have a respect and genuine desire for the other to succeed. I hope this is not a case of a wish gone wrong.
Third placed horse in this race was Blu Them Away also ridden by another jockey from the West Indies, Anthony Stephen from Trinidad. Simon Husbands is lodging an appeal against the decision and penalty.
Look for Simon Husbands on horse number 2. Make your own decision:
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