Jockey Ben Curtis, the Kentucky Derby jockey, has been on an exhilarating journey since coming to the United States from Europe last fall. Recently, he seized a golden opportunity to ride Honor Marie in the Louisiana Derby, clinching a remarkable second place. Now, the burning question remains: Will he maintain the mount for the highly anticipated Kentucky Derby?
“It was a nail-biter,” Curtis admitted. “I was crossing my fingers and hoping for the best. We did everything we could to prove ourselves worthy of staying on the horse. There were plenty of other jockeys vying for the spot, so it was a bit nerve-wracking.”
Finally, the good news came on Tuesday: Curtis would indeed ride Honor Marie in the Kentucky Derby on May 4. It’s a dream come true for Curtis, marking his debut in the iconic race.
Trainer Whit Beckman, who will also experience his first Derby, weighed his options carefully before sticking with Curtis. “Ben fits the horse perfectly,” Beckman explained. “We have full confidence in him.”
Curtis, hailing from Ireland, initially came to the US to ride at Fair Grounds in New Orleans. He hadn’t planned to stay long-term, but fate had other ideas. “I took a leap of faith, and it’s paid off big time,” Curtis reflected. “Now, with a Derby ride under my belt, I know I made the right choice.”
His partnership with Honor Marie wasn’t premeditated. Circumstances led Curtis to take the reins, and he delivered an excellent performance. “I had to adjust my riding style a bit for the US tracks,” Curtis explained. “But we’ve worked hard, and now I feel confident.”
Looking ahead to the Derby, both Curtis and Beckman are optimistic. “We’ve got a good shot,” Curtis affirmed. “I’ve studied Honor Marie inside out, and I believe we can handle the distance.”
Despite the excitement, Kentucky Derby jockey Ben Curtis remains grounded. “It’s just another race,” he said. “My job is to give Honor Marie the best ride possible. If everything aligns, we’ll be celebrating in the winner’s circle.”
