“That’s the first thing I asked – when can I ride again?”
Sitting up and smiling from his hospital bed at Sunnybrook, jockey Christopher Husbands is in remarkably good spirits after being badly injured in a training incident last week at Woodbine Racetrack.
On July 9, the seasoned jockey was coming off Woodbine’s main track when his horse reared and flipped over on him.
“I got almost to the tunnel coming off the track and I remember there was a set of horses breezing past, maybe working five-eights or something like that, and it set him off. He reared up first and then he went back down, so I thought it was all over – but then the second time it happened fast, and he just flipped over on me,” said Husbands, who was riding a two-year-old at the time of the incident.
The 35-year-old Barbadian jockey was transported to Sunnybrook Hospital in Toronto and underwent surgery on July 13 for extensive injuries sustained during that incident.
“I fractured my spine in two places and my pelvis in several different places,” said Husbands. “My pelvis – they put a plate in and six screws and they stabilized the front enough that they didn’t have to worry with the back [of the pelvis].”
Husbands’ partner, Amanda Vandermeersch added, “So the spine should heal by itself. They couldn’t really do anything surgically for it.”
Just two days later, Husbands started physical therapy, first with a walker and then quickly changing over to crutches. For the next six weeks he will need to keep weight off his right side.
Next to the jock’s hospital bed a small table is buried under a plethora of snacks, bottles of water and Gatorade from Vandermeersch.
“Amanda has taken care of me really well. From day one that I was in here; she was by my side, and I can’t thank her enough, really. She made sure I was always comfortable, brought me blankets from home,” said Husbands. Vandermeersch, who is also a jockey, actually worked as a nurse prior to beginning her career in the racing industry. Safe to say, Husbands is in good hands as he recovers.
The jockey is also grateful to those who’ve reached out since last week’s incident. “I’ve got really good support. Everybody called and messaged me. A lot of people sending their prayers for me. I really appreciate all of that. I thank everybody,” said Husbands.
On his bedside table there is also a teddy bear sent to Husbands from a Fort Erie fan.
“Aiden is his name. He is adorable,” said Vandermeersch of Husband’s five-year-old fan. “He is absolutely in love with Chris. He watches every single one of his races. And his grandmother actually contacted me to ask how Chris wase. They did send little videos back and forth.”
Husbands is not just a familiar face at Fort Erie; he’s been the border oval’s leading rider for the last three seasons. Last September, he also won the Puss ‘N Boots Cup with Nikolaou for trainer Kevin Buttigieg.
Beyond the silks, Husbands is known for his infectious smile and personable manner. Sometimes you’ll even hear fans call out ‘Chins’, a nickname that has followed him from his adolescent years spent at Edgington riding school in Barbados.
Fifteen years ago, Husbands began his race riding career at the Garrison Savannah in Barbados. A year later, at 16, Husbands won the Trinidad Derby with Sara’s Music. In the fall of 2007, the jock found himself at Assiniboia Downs and scored his first winner aboard Isotrue. After making a name for himself out west, Husbands moved his tack to Ontario in 2015. To date, he’s ridden 645 winners, won a handful of stakes races, and secured riding titles at Fort Erie. Throughout his career, Husbands has also suffered his fair share of injuries, from being in a coma, suffering a broken hand, broken ribs, and broken shoulders.
Recuperating from his most recent surgery, Husbands is keenly aware that he won’t be in the irons anytime soon. As it stands, Husbands would like to be back in the saddle, at least galloping horses, by the end of the year.
“It isn’t looking like I’m going to be riding this summer,” said Husbands, who pauses before adding, “but I’m going to be okay.”
Ismael Mosqueira Injured at Fort Erie
In related news, jockey Ismael Mosqueira was injured during a training incident on Sunday morning at Fort Erie Race Track. He suffered a compound fracture to his right arm, breaking both his radius and ulna. Mosqueira underwent surgery for his injuries at Niagara General hospital.
“I have a few screws and two plates. I’m still in the hospital for another day or two. Since it was a compound and exposed fracture, they want to make sure that it’s not infected, so they are keeping me in the hospital on antibiotics,” said Mosqueira.
The jockey is aiming to be back in the saddle in eight weeks time. With that said, he understands the recovery process will take time.
“Worse comes to worse, if I cannot catch the last bit of Fort Erie I’m planning to do the fall meet at Woodbine,” said Mosqueira.
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