Roger Varian
Born on 14 July 1979, Roger Varian is today a successful classic-winning trainer based at Carlburg Stables in Newmarket. However, before setting out on that path he had a brief spell as a jockey and rode seven winners.
Born on 14 July 1979, Roger Varian is today a successful classic-winning trainer based at Carlburg Stables in Newmarket. However, before setting out on that path he had a brief spell as a jockey and rode seven winners.
Roger moved to California as a teenager and found employment as a work rider at Hollywood Park. On his return to Britain he rode as a National Hunt jockey, mainly for Findon trainer Josh Gifford. He rode his first winner on 13-8 favourite Royal Ruler in a novices’ claiming hurdle at Plumpton on 1 November 1999.
Roger moved to California as a teenager and found employment as a work rider at Hollywood Park. On his return to Britain he rode as a National Hunt jockey, mainly for Findon trainer Josh Gifford. He rode his first winner on 13-8 favourite Royal Ruler in a novices’ claiming hurdle at Plumpton on 1 November 1999.
He went back to the United States in 2001 and worked for Maryland-based trainer Jack Fisher, commenting that his riding career “needed a push forward”. However, less than two months after relocating to America, he sustained a serious wrist injury in a fall, ending his career as a jockey.
He went back to the United States in 2001 and worked for Maryland-based trainer Jack Fisher, commenting that his riding career “needed a push forward”. However, less than two months after relocating to America, he sustained a serious wrist injury in a fall, ending his career as a jockey.
Roger returned to Britain and became assistant trainer to Michael Jarvis at Kremlin House in Newmarket. He remained at the stable for ten years before taking over the yard when Jarvis retired due to ill health in February 2011.
Roger returned to Britain and became assistant trainer to Michael Jarvis at Kremlin House in Newmarket. He remained at the stable for ten years before taking over the yard when Jarvis retired due to ill health in February 2011.
In his first season as a trainer Roger sent out the filly Nahrain to win the Prix de l’Opera at Longchamp on Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe weekend. Nahrain went on to win America’s Flower Bowl Invitational Stakes at Saratoga the following year.
In his first season as a trainer Roger sent out the filly Nahrain to win the Prix de l’Opera at Longchamp on Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe weekend. Nahrain went on to win America’s Flower Bowl Invitational Stakes at Saratoga the following year.
In 2014 Kingston Hill finished second in the Epsom Derby before giving Roger his first British Classic win in the St Leger. Also that year he trained Balardo, which was rated the best European two-year-old colt after his win in the Dewhurst Stakes. Balardo went on to win the Group 1 Lockinge Stakes in 2016.
In 2014 Kingston Hill finished second in the Epsom Derby before giving Roger his first British Classic win in the St Leger. Also that year he trained Balardo, which was rated the best European two-year-old colt after his win in the Dewhurst Stakes. Balardo went on to win the Group 1 Lockinge Stakes in 2016.
Also in 2016 he trained Postponed to win the UAE’s Dubai Sheema Classic, the Coronation Cup and the Juddmonte International Stakes.
Also in 2016 he trained Postponed to win the UAE’s Dubai Sheema Classic, the Coronation Cup and the Juddmonte International Stakes.
Roger moved from Kremlin House to Carlburg Stables in January 2017 after purchasing it from previous owner Clive Brittain. Since then, his major domestic wins (up to 2022) have included the 2019 Coronation Cup with Defoe and the 2021 British Champion Fillies and Mares Stakes with Eshaada.
Roger moved from Kremlin House to Carlburg Stables in January 2017 after purchasing it from previous owner Clive Brittain. Since then, his major domestic wins (up to 2022) have included the 2019 Coronation Cup with Defoe and the 2021 British Champion Fillies and Mares Stakes with Eshaada.
On the international stage, Roger’s wins include Canada’s E.P. Taylor Stakes in 2018 with Sheikha Reika, the Prix d’Ispahan in 2019 with Zabeel Prince, and the Prix Vermeille in 2021 with Teona.
On the international stage, Roger’s wins include Canada’s E.P. Taylor Stakes in 2018 with Sheikha Reika, the Prix d’Ispahan in 2019 with Zabeel Prince, and the Prix Vermeille in 2021 with Teona.
He is married to Hanako Sonobe and has three children: Momoka, Eiji and Reika
He is married to Hanako Sonobe and has three children: Momoka, Eiji and Reika
