CHARLES Hussey, a four-time champion jockey with a career spanning decades, has lived a life filled with excitement, challenges, and triumphs. With 1,239 local and over 600 international winners under his belt, Hussey’s transition from rider to steward was a natural progression, leveraging his vast experience and expertise to shape the future of horse racing.

Hussey’s journey as a steward began when his friend, Andrew Azar, a member of the Jamaica Racing Commission (JRC) board, approached him with an offer. Azar recognised the value of having a former jockey on the board, someone who could provide unique insight into the actions of riders and the behaviour of horses. Hussey, initially hesitant, eventually agreed to join the board as a steward.

“I told him [Andrew Azar] to go and discuss it with his internal team,” Hussey recalled. “Long story short within six months, the stewards approached me and outlined their plan.

“ ‘We want a jockey on the board,’ they said. ‘We’ve never had a jockey before. Here are the requirements and the necessary paperwork.’ They provided me with study materials on the racing rules for jockeys and stewards. After about six months I took an internal exam, and they informed me that I could become a race day steward.

“I served as a race day steward on the board for about two or three years, working on a rotational basis at the racetrack. My duties included participating in weekly Tuesday inquiries where I contributed to disciplinary hearings for jockeys and reviewed racing footage to inform decision-making. Additionally, I provided support with reviewing race films on race days.”

As a steward Hussey brought a distinct perspective to the role. His extensive experience as a jockey allowed him to interpret the actions of riders and horses in a way that others couldn’t.

“I used to tell the stewards, ‘No, no, no. This jockey, the horse is in the right lead but the horse is veering out,’ “ Hussey said. “But you see the jockey trying his best but the horse has a problem — and you can’t really blame the jockey — so we can’t penalise him and suspend him [jockey], much less warn him, you know. So, little things like that, I would show them.”

But the commission wanted more from Hussey. It asked him to take on a new role — training the next generation of jockeys. Hussey, with his wealth of experience and passion for teaching, was seen as the perfect man for the job.

“Little after that the commission came to me and said they wanted me to run the Jockeys’ Training School,” Hussey said. “They wanted me to be a part of the school and, at the time, it [instructions] was just, ‘You go to the track with the young riders, the 18 or the 20 of them, and show them how to ride.’ ”

However, Hussey soon realised that his impact could be even greater. He identified a critical need for more comprehensive training for young jockeys, particularly in the areas of safety and technique. Hussey advocated for the introduction of a mechanical horse, a simulator that would allow apprentices to practise and hone their skills in a controlled environment.

“I said to them, ‘Gentlemen, this is a waste of time. I couldn’t teach…I don’t think it’s the right way. What we really need is a mechanical horse. Bring a mechanical horse, find a location, and I can teach them one-on-one right here. Put them on the horse.’ I said, ‘This is the way to cross the rein. This is the way to whip the horse,’ ” Hussey said.

JRC eventually heeded Hussey’s advice, acquiring a mechanical horse and establishing a training programme. Hussey’s training methods were unorthodox, but effective. He used the mechanical horse to simulate real-life racing scenarios, teaching apprentices how to react in high-pressure situations.

“We had a spot at the polo field,” he said. “We had a little room and a veranda with a mechanical horse, and I would show them, give them demonstrations: ‘This is how you sit.’ ‘This is how you ride.’

“And we’d have races, simulated races, changing the whip, show them how to change the goggles — everything. And that was the biggest help — I could show them first-hand. ‘No, put your hand here.’ ‘Do it this way.’ ‘Change the stick here.’ ‘No, correct it right there.’ I couldn’t do that on the track.”

Hussey’s first batch of apprentices, all trained on the mechanical horse, achieved unprecedented success. On their first day of racing, four of Hussey’s apprentices rode to victory, with two of them winning multiple races.

“My first set of apprentices that I trained, 16 of them graduated,” he said. “The first four races were won by my apprentices, with one rider winning two races. The fifth race on the day was won by a local jockey. The sixth race, one of my apprentices, who had won earlier, won that race.

“So, all four apprentices won their first race, and two of them won two races. They broke all kind of records. And it was all because of the mechanical horses. They knew what to do.”

Veteran jockey turned steward Charles Hussey has had a legacy at Caymanas Park which has led to him being honoured with the $1.25-million Charles Hussey OD Trophy feature, which was won here by Raddesh Roman aboard Unbelievable Force on Sunday, December 15, 2024. (Photo: Joseph Wellington)

Two of Jamaica’s greatest riders, Charles Hussey (right) and George HoSang, in the winners’ enclosure at Caymanas Park on Sunday, December 15, 2024. (Joseph Wellington)