Ben Curtis couldn't have imagined securing a mount in the Kentucky Derby (G1) just six months after moving his tack to the United States, but the impossible took a step toward reality after Honor Marie finished second in the Louisiana Derby (G2) at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots.
As Honor Marie prepares for that Derby start, Curtis has been named to ride.
"It was definitely on my to-do list, but it's come around a bit quicker than I thought," Curtis said. "It's a fantastic opportunity and on a horse that I think could show up brilliant on the day."
The Ireland native raced primarily in England, but has ridden all over Europe and typically would winter in the Middle East. However, an opportunity came up last fall to move his tack to Fair Grounds and Curtis decided to take a shot for four months before heading back to Europe.
"I was at a point where I just wanted a new challenge," Curtis said. "I was doing very well in England, there was no reason to make a move. Sometimes to go forward, you have to make big decisions."
The big decision paid off as Curtis won 43 of 260 mounts at Fair Grounds, ranking fourth by wins for the meet and 10th by earnings with more than $1.5 million. His instant success in the States made the 34-year-old change his mind about returning to Europe.
"When I go in, I throw myself all in," Curtis said. "I wanted to try and make a splash and make the best of it."
Upon the end of the Fair Grounds meet last month, Curtis moved his tack to Delaware Park. This summer he will compete on the Mid-Atlantic circuit.
"I was really enjoying this," Curtis said. "To say I made a decision in one day would be wrong because I flipped backwards and forwards about 25 times. Was it the right thing? Was it the wrong thing? There's only one way to find out; you've got to do it."
The mount aboard Honor Marie almost never happened. Trainer Whit Beckman had been trying to get Florent Geroux on the son of Honor Code for the March 23 Louisiana Derby, but prior commitments pulled Geroux to Oaklawn Park, where he won two stakes that day. That opened up the saddle for Curtis.
"He was beaten a length that day," Curtis said of the Louisiana Derby placing. "A length is easy enough to turn around."
Beckman received plenty of calls after the Louisiana Derby from jockeys and their agents looking to claim the mount for themselves, but ultimately Beckman chose to stick with Curtis.
"It's a credit to Whit and the owners for sticking by me," Curtis said. "I've had a lot of experience riding around the world. A lot of people in America probably wouldn't know me, but I have a lot of credentials to my name. I think myself and the horse get along very well. If it's working, don't fix it."
Once Curtis received the official news April 22, he made the 10-hour journey from Delaware Park to Louisville, Ky., and was at the barn the following morning. Instead of riding at Delaware as originally planned, he decided to spend the lead-up to the Derby in Kentucky to help assist the Honor Marie team in any way he can.
"It's the Kentucky Derby," Curtis said. "The trainers and the owners put their commitment in me, so we thought it was important to come down for the next two weeks and show that we're committed as well."
Ten hours is a long time to spend in the car, so as a passenger Curtis spent the drive going deep into Honor Marie's pedigree. He sees classic promise.
"I went through his pedigree from start to finish," Curtis said. "I can't see a stronger pedigree in the race that has more stamina. Everything about him screams out a mile-and-a-quarter, a mile-and-a-half. I would have no question about trip, he's as close to a guarantee there as you're going to get."
In addition to stamina, Curtis is encouraged that Honor Marie is 2-for-3 at Churchill Downs, with the loss being a second. One of his victories was in the Nov. 25 Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes (G2).
"He looks a million dollars," Curtis said after seeing the horse this morning. "I think Whit and the team have him in fantastic shape."
Despite being a Kentucky Derby first-timer, there will not be much that fazes Curtis on the first Saturday in May. He has experienced some of Europe's biggest races and has ridden in many fields larger than the 20 horses expected to head postward for the Derby. If he can translate his international experience and success into a Kentucky Derby victory, he will move one step closer to his current goal.
"The plan is to stay here and get to the top," Curtis said. "That's my plan wherever I go."
