TORONTO – Veteran Barbadian jockey Patrick Husbands has been ruled out of the remainder of the Woodbine season and is set to undergo two surgeries, after being thrown from his mount ahead of the fifth race at the prestigious western Canada racing oval on Sunday.
The seven-time Woodbine champion was unseated by three-year-old filly Islay Inlet in the parade ring, suffering a broken pelvis during the fall and cutting short an already successful weekend in the saddle.
Despite the incident, Husbands was said to be in good spirits and already looking forward to spending the holidays in his native Barbados.
Only on Saturday, the 45-year-old produced three winners on the 11-race card, scoring with 2-1 choice Gold Sting in race one, 3-1 chance Worbothor in race three before clinching the day’s final race with 9-4 bet Lookin At Matteo.
The 45-year-old lies fifth in the jockeys standings at Woodbine on 78 wins, six behind Gary Boulanger in the title race led by three-time defending champion Eurico Rosa de Silva on 188.
Husbands is one of the most successful jockeys in the history of Woodbine, with 3 285 victories and nearly CAN$160 million in winnings over his decorated career.
He was the last jockey to win the storied Triple Crown in 2003 with the now legendary Wando, and was also good enough to win the Queen’s Plate four years ago with Lexie Lou.
Sunday’s injury is the second in five years for Husbands who fractured his leg at Woodbine in 2013 when his horse collapsed after passing the finish. (CMC)
