Ben Curtis living the dream with Honor Marie in Kentucky Derby
‘They are estimating 160,000 on the day… it will be as close as you can get to being in a Roman colosseum’.
Back in October when Ben Curtis decided to ride in America for the winter he would not have dared to dream how well the future would pan out. And he certainly might not have thought he would be riding in the 150th running of the Kentucky Derby. So well have things gone for the former all-weather champion jockey that in March he announced he was going to stay Stateside and his continued good form has seen him selected to ride live outsider Honor Marie for Whit Beckman in the ‘Run for the Roses’. A lot was made of Frankie Dettori’s search for a mount in the Churchill Downs spectacular, and while he eventually picked up the ride on Society Man, the betting suggests Curtis has the better chance. “It’s going good. Once we get past the Derby and back up to Delaware we can get a bit of normality back and get back to riding four or five days a week and hopefully start banging in winners again,” said Curtis, who was champion apprentice in Ireland back in 2010.“Some jockeys will have different agents for different tracks, but I’m lucky that since I got here I’ve been with Ron Faucheux. He was leading trainer at the Fair Grounds for four years and packed it in about a year and a half ago when he was at the top of the game, he just wanted to enjoy life a bit more. “He’s going to come with me to Delaware and we’re going to ride the mid-Atlantic circuit and then there’s a meeting at Colonial in the middle of that which is mainly turf-based with good money so we’ll base ourselves there for that. Then we’ll head back to Delaware and ride at Monmouth, too. “Ron worked for Todd Pletcher for years before training himself and grew up alongside the younger trainers now coming through, like Whit who trains Honor Marie, like Rob Falcone, who is making a name for himself in New York. And with the contacts he got from training, he’s been a big leg up for me.” As well as Dettori there are two other familiar faces riding in the Derby whom Curtis is well acquainted with in Antonio Fresu on Stronghold and Adam Beschizza on Epic Ride.
Kentucky Derby contender HONOR MARIE stares 👀 down the camera this morning. pic.twitter.com/Pi53uYQrLQ
— TwinSpires Racing 🏇 (@TwinSpires) April 29, 2024
Follow us on Twitter racing365dotcom and like our Facebook page.
Latest
-
Horse Racing
Kentucky Derby 2025 – all eyes on Journalism and Baffert
America’s biggest horse race looms on the...
-
Horse Racing
Cheltenham Festival 2025 – Bookies spared bumper payout after opening day carnage
Bookmakers were spared an estimated £50 million...
-
Horse Racing
Rider’s ocular accident underscores importance of protective eyewear
Amid non-stop negotiations surrounding the need to...
-
Horse Racing
Concerns over inadequate facilities for female jockeys as racecourses miss upgrade deadlines
The Professional Jockeys Association (PJA)...
-
Ramatuelle ruled out of Breeders’ Cup Mile bid
French ace scratched from Del Mar contest following veterinary advice.
-
Horse Racing
Yahagi has every faith Forever Young is ready for Classic battle
‘Perfect preparation’ for Kentucky Derby third heading into City Of Troy clash.
-
Exciting times as Brighterdaysahead starts off at Down Royal
‘One step at a time’ for Grade One-winning mare, who was expected to go chasing this season.
-
Joseph O’Brien expecting Classic show from ‘right type’ Troy
But Kieren Fallon sounding note of caution ahead of Del Mar blockbuster.
-
Grand Sefton not on the agenda for Minella Drama
Donald McCain happy to wait for other targets with Old Roan winner.
-
Eydon back on familiar ground at Newmarket this weekend
High-class five-year-old was fourth in the 2000 Guineas two years ago.