Bajan Jockey Rides in Kentucky Derby

Patrick Husbands became the first Barbadian jockey to ride in the Kentucky Derby.

Seaside Retreat wasn't even slated to race the Kentucky Derby until a brilliant workout Thursday under regular jockey Patrick Husbands, who makes his home in Brampton, Ontario.

Husbands is a newcomer to the Kentucky Derby, but not to horse racing. He has won a unprecedented tour consecutive Sovereign Awards (pictured at left) as Canada's top jockey, the last one in 2002.

He won 2003 Canadian Triple Crown (Plate, Prince of Wales and Breeders' Stakes). He also rode Seaside Retreat to a wide, fast-closing second place finish in the grade II Lanes End Stakes at Turfway Park. 

Trainer Mark Casse flew Husbands to Louisville a week before the Derby for a workout that would determine if Seaside Retreat could handle Churchill Downs. He turned in a blazing five-furlong workout in 59.4 seconds, one of the best times of any of the contenders.

Husbands told Casse he would give him an honest opinion about what he thought of the horse after the workout. "I'm not going to ride in the Kentucky Derby when I could probably ride two or three nice horses in Toronto on Saturday," he said.

But the workout was so sensational, Husbands phoned Casse while still on horseback and said: "We're going to the Derby."

Prior to the race Husbands said he wasn't nervous about his first Derby run, "It is everybody's goal. Once you’re a part of horse racing, owner, trainer, jockey, everyone wants to go to the Kentucky Derby. I am excited. And if my horse handles the race track, definitely we can come back with a check.”

Seaside Retreat was 50-1 odds, but came in 10th. "I had a perfect trip," Husbands said. "When they started running up front, he backed up. He's still a young horse. When he runs back on grass, you're going to hear about him."

Owned by William S. Farish, Jr., and trained by Canadian veteran, Mark Casse, Seaside Retreat was second in the $500,000 Lane's End Stakes and sixth in the Blue Grass Stakes. He has won three of seven career starts for $266,632.