In a recent announcement made via X, Justin Stein, a prominent Canadian jockey, revealed that he would be retiring from competitive riding, following injuries sustained in a multi-horse accident at Woodbine in late November. After suffering a broken rib and fractured vertebrae, the 44-year-old rider shared his decision to step away from the saddle. Having moved from British Columbia to Ontario in 2006, Stein had consistently ranked among the top 10 riders at Woodbine, with notable successes including a second-place finish to Kazushi Kimura in 2021 for purse earnings and third in 2023.
Stein’s journey into horse racing began as he exercised horses at Kamloops, and he quickly rose through the ranks to become a finalist for the apprentice rider category at the prestigious Eclipse Awards. His career highlights include winning the 2012 Queen’s Plate on Strait of Dover and a significant comeback, capturing the Grade 1 Woodbine Mile aboard Starship Jubilee, among other major races following a brief retirement in 2016.
Now remarried and expecting a new chapter in life, Stein expressed a bittersweet sentiment about leaving the riding profession, sharing his excitement about transitioning to a stewarding role within the racing community. He acknowledged that while he would miss the thrill of racing, he looked forward to remaining involved in the sport he loves.