Canada, the first nation on the North American continent and the second-largest country in the world by land area, has a notably low population density of 4.2 people per square kilometre, ranking 219th out of 229 countries globally in this regard. To foster both population and economic growth, the country maintains a welcoming immigration policy, allowing thousands of skilled workers to immigrate each year from various regions including Europe, Southeast Asia, the United States, and the Caribbean.
Notably, immigrants from the Caribbean island nations such as Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados, and Jamaica have made their mark in Canadian horse racing, where they compete successfully against local jockeys. A prominent example is Patrick Husbands from Barbados, who, under the mentorship of renowned British trainer Michael Stoute, has earned a place in the Hall of Fame of Canadian racing.
Patrick Husbands, Carrying on the Family Tradition
Patrick Husbands, born in 1973, carries on the family legacy of horse racing. His father, Walter, was a jockey, and his older brother, Anthony, a former jockey himself, was the first in the family to move to Canada, where he currently serves as an outrider at Woodbine racetrack.
Simon Husbands, the middle brother, born in 1969, arrived at the mainland from Barbados seeking opportunity. He started his racing career in Barbados in the mid-1980s before relocating to Fort Erie, Ontario, where he began his winning streak. In 1989, he achieved prominence by winning the prestigious Barbados Gold Cup. Since 2000, Simon has also been a jockey at Woodbine, earning numerous accolades.
Growing up in Bridgetown, Patrick Husbands was an adventurous youth, spending time at his family's farm where he rode horses bareback from the age of seven and even rode other farm animals like cows and pigs. At just 16, he claimed the prestigious Cockspur Cup in Barbados, and by 20, he had established himself as a successful jockey at the notable Garrison Savannah racetrack.
In 1994, following in Simon's footsteps, Patrick moved to Toronto, where he began his winning streak at Woodbine starting in 1998. He became a Canadian citizen in 2000. Notably, in 2003, he won the Canadian Triple Crown aboard Wando, achieving remarkable victories in the King's Plate, the Prince of Wales Stakes, and the Breeders' Stakes; he became the 12th jockey to win this prestigious title since 1932. In recognition of his achievement, January 7, 2004, was declared "Patrick Husbands Day" in Barbados.
In 2007, he made history by winning the Canadian Triple Tiara on the exceptional horse Seeley Hill — a feat that had not been accomplished since the series began in 1954. This involved a dramatic turn of events during the Bison City Stakes when irregularities were found in the race. However, thanks to Husbands' appeal and a review of the evidence, the racing commission overturned the disqualification, allowing for the announcement of this historic win.
From 1999 to 2014, Patrick received the Sovereign Award for Outstanding Jockey eight times and won the Avelino Gomez Memorial Award in 2014. In 2016, he celebrated his 3,000th victory at Woodbine. He has also been mentoring his nephew, Terry Husbands, who has been a consistent champion at Fort Erie over the past 12 years.
Moreover, Patrick's namesake and fellow Barbadian, Christopher Husbands, has also been competing successfully at Woodbine Racecourse, further enhancing the racing legacy of Barbados.
Richard Anthony Dos Ramos (1962)
Richard Dom Ramos, a native of Trinidad and Tobago, was moved to Canada by his parents at a young age, where he began his career as a jockey. He knew Avelino Gomez, who mentored him in his early years. In 1986, he had his first major victory at the Breeders' Stakes, the third leg of the Canadian Triple Crown. He has ridden two horses to be named Canadian Horse of the Year: Bunburb in 1992, with whom he won the Molson Export Million Stakes, and Thornfield in 1999, with whom he won the Canadian International Stakes. Richard Dom Ramos won over 2,000 races in his career, about 1,300 of them at Woodbine Racetrack. In 2002, he was awarded the Avelino Gomez Memorial Award for outstanding achievements in Canadian racing. This was a symbolic meeting between the famous racer and his mentor after the latter's death.
Emile Ramsammy (1962)
A native of Trinidad and Tobago, he achieved remarkable success by winning the Barbados Gold Cup three times in 1985, 1987, and 1988. Before relocating permanently to Canada in 1990, he scored nearly 500 victories in his home country. Like many from the Caribbean, Emile Ramsammy shared a friendship with Avelino Gomez. His notable career in Canada began with a triumph in the 1994 Princess Elizabeth Stakes at Woodbine Racecourse, followed by numerous victories, including the Queen's Plate in both 1996 and 2006. In 2011, he received the Avelino Gomez Memorial Award in honour of his friend and mentor. By that time, he held the North American record for wins, totaling 2,117, along with 2,009 second places, 16,399 races, and earnings exceeding $82 million.
Slade Callaghan (1970)
The Canadian jockey born in Barbados, Slade Callaghan, was awarded the prestigious 2022 Avelino Gomez Memorial Award, recognising him as one of the country's top jockeys. In addition to his racing career, Callaghan is an avid gambler and has enjoyed playing tennis and squash since he was 16.
He began his racing career in Barbados, winning his first race in 1986, and later moved to Canada in 1994 to pursue his dream of becoming a jockey at Woodbine, following in the footsteps of his brother, Brett.
Callaghan achieved impressive results over the years, tallying 69 wins in 1999, which included 6 stakes victories. He followed this with 48 wins in 2000, 43 in 2001, and 54 in 2002, maintaining annual earnings of over $2 million since then. In 2004, he proudly won the Barbados Gold in his home country. Currently, he is working in the stables of his wife, trainer Kelly Callaghan, and considers thoroughbreds an irreplaceable part of his life.
Jonathon C. "Jono" Jones (1976)
Growing up as the son of renowned Barbadian jockey and trainer Challinor Jones, Jono Jones found it difficult to resist following his father's path. He embarked on his journey as an apprentice jockey in Barbados at the age of 14, and by 15, he had already clinched victory in the United Derby aboard a horse trained by his father.
Jones later moved to England, where he rode for the esteemed trainer Michael Stoute, and subsequently ventured to France to work with Nicholas Clement. During his time in England, he achieved notable success by winning the Stallion Stakes on two occasions.
In both 1994 and 1985, Jono Jones was recognised as the leading jockey in Martinique. He made his way to Canada in 2001, quickly establishing himself among the nation's top jockeys by securing 56 victories at Woodbine and amassing earnings of $2.6 million.
From that point forward, his career continued to flourish. In 2002, he recorded 54 wins and earned $3 million; in 2003, he achieved 89 wins and $5.5 million in earnings; and in 2004, he set a personal best with 99 wins, totalling $5.6 million.
Jono Jones has triumphed in every race of the Canadian Triple Crown, winning three Breeders' Stakes along with one title each in the Prince of Wales Stakes and the Queen's Plate.