Bob Curant

Robert Dennis Curant, born in Fulham, London, on July 22, 1949, was educated at Elliot Comprehensive School in Putney, London.

On leaving school, he took up his apprenticeship with Dermot (Boggy) Whelan (1964 - 1969) and rode his first winner, Tudor Chanteur, at Newbury on 10th September, 1965.

He then joined Angus Armanesco in Australia for a year (1969 - 1970) and spent most of the seventies racing there (and also in Jamaica, and Ireland).

Returning to Britain, he became retained by a number of notable Flat racing trainers including Henry Candy, Nick Vigors, Tony Ingham, Vincent O'Brien and Peter Walwyn.

Bob also rode for The Queen and the Agha Khan.

He rode over 600 winners including Equal Opportunity, left, (1978 Wokingham Stakes), Frimley Park (1978 Palace House Stakes, Newmarket) and Gabitat (1984 Duke of York Stakes). Bob also won the Ladbrokes Sprint at Epsom.

Under four and six months contracts, Bob eventually rode worldwide, including Saudi Arabia, Dubai, UAE, USA (Florida and California), Australia and Ireland.

Bob established a reputation for total honesty, reliability and punctuality with 100% commitment, and took pride in presenting himself in a professional manner at all times. He was able to mix with people from all social classes and ethnic backgrounds.

Whilst abroad he mentored apprentices and young jockeys and, when in Kingston, Jamaica, ran practical training sessions in race exercise skills.

Now retired (and divorced, in 2002), Bob's interests include squash, snooker, fishing, clay pigeon shooting. He also likes helping with house renovations. (In his younger days he enjoyed long distance cycling.)

Bob's taste in music is Reggae & Motown.

His brother, John Arthur Curant, (1951 - 2020), was also a jockey.

Big winners

1978: Palace House Stakes – Frimley Park 

1978: Wokingham Stakes – Equal Opportunity 

1984: Duke of York Stakes – Gabitat