Our questions are answered by the prolific former British-based jockey who recently landed his first G1 win since moving to the US on Simply In Front at Keeneland
Ben Curtis has no regrets about ditching Britain for the States and the success of Simply In Front in the recent First Lady Stakes at Keeneland – the jockey’s breakthrough Grade 1 triumph – provided further vindication for his decision.
The former Irish champion apprentice cut his teeth with John Oxx, who trained the legendary Sea The Stars, and Curtis was a pr
olific member of Britain’s weighing room for a number of years with more than 1,000 winners to his name before crossing the Atlantic in 2023.
He hasn’t looked back since. “The Grade 1 was a long time coming, a massive day,” reflects Curtis, 36. “It meant more because I’ve been friends with her trainer Eddie Kenneally for years.”
The Breeders’ Cup could be next for Simply In Front according to Curtis, who credits trainer-turned-agent Ron Faucheux for his productive two years in the US.
“I’m loving it,” adds the husband to Shauna and father of Brodi and Cian. “Any job can get stale and I was putting in a lot of miles and hours in England.
“I rode plenty of winners and was doing well – people said I was mad for leaving – but I thought a new challenge would be good, and I wanted to spend more time with my kids.
“In England, I’d leave the house before they were awake and would often get home when they’re in bed. I didn’t want them to grow up with me working all the time.”
Which racing figure past or present do you most admire?
I was blessed to work for John Oxx. We had Johnny Murtagh as stable jockey and then Mick Kinane (right), while Niall McCullagh and Fran Berry were also there. I wouldn’t pick four better people to learn from and I think Mick is one of the greatest jockeys of all time.
I was there when Sea The Stars was around and it was unbelievable how he dealt with the pressure. That ride he gave Sea The Stars in the Arc was one of the best ever and he was always very good to me.
Which is your favourite venue, and race, anywhere in the world?
It’s hard to split Ascot and York, which are streets above anywhere else for their big meetings, but Royal Ascot is the pinnacle. When you ride a winner there it’s something else, extra-special, and I love it. It’s where everyone wants to be and I can’t tell you how exciting it was looking at the entries and seeing what you could ride.
As for a race, I’d say the Dubai World Cup or Saudi Cup because of the prize-money!
Who is your favourite racehorse and why?
I think Sea The Stars is the best who has ever graced the turf. I was lucky enough to ride him out one day, but I remember leading Mick in a piece of work prior to the Arc for about ten strides before Sea The Stars came flying by. I’ll never forget it because he worked like a sprinter that day. It’s amazing what he achieved and John Oxx deserves plenty of credit because he was a genius with him.
I had more to do with Dandalla, who was very good. She never reached the top, but we won the Albany and Duchess Of Cambridge and then she went wrong. We knew she had something because we were thinking of Royal Ascot before she ever ran.
What is your fondest memory in racing?
My first winner, Always On Top at Gowran Park in 2006. I wasn’t from a racing family and people said I wouldn’t make it, so it felt like a breakthrough. Ruaidhri Tierney, a great friend, trained her, while my dad was also involved in her. Ruaidhri then became my agent and is one of the top agents in Ireland now; it felt like we both got to where we are today from that race.
In time, it might be rivalled by Simply In Front. I’d been waiting so long for it and Brodi must have been the happiest person ever at Keeneland when it happened.
If you could change one thing in racing, what would it be?
I’d like to see Britain somehow sort out its format, so the money’s going back into prize-money. Andrea Atzeni, Harry Bentley and others have gone to Hong Kong, but it’s not just jockeys, it’s the horses. Anyone at the lower end of the spectrum who has a nice horse has to sell it, normally abroad. It’s a shame people who love British racing have to look elsewhere financially.
Ben Curtis was speaking to James Burn
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