Ted Durcan
In February 2018 classic winning jockey Ted Durcan announced his retirement, aged 44, after a successful 25-year career in the saddle.
In February 2018 classic winning jockey Ted Durcan announced his retirement, aged 44, after a successful 25-year career in the saddle.
Ted Durcan was born in County Mayo on February 25, 1973. He was christened Thomas Edward but was always known as Ted. He served his apprenticeship in Ireland with Jim Bolger, for whom he had his first winner, Nordic Pageant, at Fairyhouse on October 3, 1992.
Ted Durcan was born in County Mayo on February 25, 1973. He was christened Thomas Edward but was always known as Ted. He served his apprenticeship in Ireland with Jim Bolger, for whom he had his first winner, Nordic Pageant, at Fairyhouse on October 3, 1992.
Ted moved to England and joined Jack Berry’s stable in 1997, riding his first British winner on Laurel Pleasure at Thirsk on May 17, 1997.
Ted moved to England and joined Jack Berry’s stable in 1997, riding his first British winner on Laurel Pleasure at Thirsk on May 17, 1997.
He had his first domestic Group One winner for Tim Easterby on Somnus, who defeated Oasis Dream in the 2003 Haydock Sprint Cup.
He had his first domestic Group One winner for Tim Easterby on Somnus, who defeated Oasis Dream in the 2003 Haydock Sprint Cup.
Ted went on to ride 1,021 winners in Britain including two Classics: the 2007 Oaks on Light Shift for Henry Cecil, and the 2009 St Leger on Mastery for Godolphin trainer Saeed bin Suroor.
Ted went on to ride 1,021 winners in Britain including two Classics: the 2007 Oaks on Light Shift for Henry Cecil, and the 2009 St Leger on Mastery for Godolphin trainer Saeed bin Suroor.
He spent 18 winters in Dubai and was champion jockey there seven times, winning his most valuable prize in 2000 on Rhythm Band in the £731,707 Dubai Duty Free.
He spent 18 winters in Dubai and was champion jockey there seven times, winning his most valuable prize in 2000 on Rhythm Band in the £731,707 Dubai Duty Free.
His last winner was Face The Facts for John Gosden in the Listed Rose Bowl Stakes at Newmarket on September 28, 2017.
His last winner was Face The Facts for John Gosden in the Listed Rose Bowl Stakes at Newmarket on September 28, 2017.
He had a long association with Sir Michael Stoute’s stable at Newmarket and was keen to continue that following his retirement. He has also expressed an interest in the world of breeding and bloodstock as an avenue he’d like to explore further.
He had a long association with Sir Michael Stoute’s stable at Newmarket and was keen to continue that following his retirement. He has also expressed an interest in the world of breeding and bloodstock as an avenue he’d like to explore further.
Classic winners
Classic winners
The Oaks: Light Shift (2007)
The Oaks: Light Shift (2007)
St Leger: Mastery (2009)
St Leger: Mastery (2009)
Other big winners include:
Other big winners include:
2000: Zetland Gold Cup – Nobelist
2000: Zetland Gold Cup – Nobelist
2004: Cheshire Oaks – Hidden Hope
2004: Cheshire Oaks – Hidden Hope
2005: Queen Mary Stakes – Flashy Wings
2005: Queen Mary Stakes – Flashy Wings
2005: Chesham Stakes – Championship Point
2005: Chesham Stakes – Championship Point
2006: Coventry Stakes – Hellvelyn
2006: Coventry Stakes – Hellvelyn
2007: Cheshire Oaks – Light Shift
2007: Cheshire Oaks – Light Shift
2011: Queen Alexandra Stakes – Swingkeel
2011: Queen Alexandra Stakes – Swingkeel
2012: Lingfield Derby Trial – Main Sequence
2012: Lingfield Derby Trial – Main Sequence