Ryan Curatolo had only one wish after he first visited Singapore as a tourist last year – ride at Kranji, and it’s now about to be granted.
“I came here for a holiday last year and liked the place so much. I didn’t come to the track but I saw the facilities on TV and they look amazing,” said Curatolo.
“I like the way they rode in Singapore. It’s the American style which suits me.
“This time, the timing was right as it’s the Macau break. I was introduced to some people from Singapore and they told me to get in touch with CT Kuah (Cheng Tee), who became my sponsor."
This Friday’s standalone meeting may not be a high-profile Group meeting, but Curatolo, 25, still hopes to make a good fist of it. He is booked aboard four rides – Aeolus, Golden Spark, Eden Garden and Any Rumour – all for Kuah.
After landing in Singapore on Wednesday night, Curatolo did not fail to report for duty straight away the next morning.
“I rode five horses for CT this morning, including my four rides on Friday,” said the Marseille-born jockey.
“They all gave me a good feeling. I really liked Eden Garden. He feels like a horse who is looking for longer, but he should still run well.
“Obviously, I don’t know the horses, but after going through their form, I think Golden Spark also has a chance.”
Curatolo said four rides for a one-day cameo was encouraging even if he wished he had picked up rides from other trainers as well.
“I don’t know the trainers here. I nearly got another horse, but CT had a horse in that race, too,” said the 300-odd race winner.
“It’s one of CT’s ex-owners who helped me with the rides. Hopefully, I get to ride a winner on Friday.”
After a short apprenticeship with David Smaga in France and starved of real opportunities, Curatolo crossed the Atlantic to try his luck in Florida.
Just like Julien Leparoux or Florent Geroux, Curatolo met with instance success in the States, scooping up 185 wins in total between various tracks like Saratoga, Belmont and Santa Anita and one New York apprentice jockey title in 2012. His first Grade win came aboard Street Game in the 2011 Grade 3 Hill Prince at Belmont, New York.
One of his proudest moments was when he rode Dawn Glory for Her Highness Queen Elizabeth II in 2013 and finished second.
In 2013, he moved to Macau and has not left since, becoming one of the leading jockeys in the former Portuguese enclave.
Currently lying in fifth place on 26 winners, Curatolo picked up one of his highest accolades in the Group 1 Macau Gold Cup with Bo Bo So Cute as recently as July 30.
Curatolo has always been keen to spread his wings in the Asian region. After riding once in Hong Kong, in Singapore this Friday, he is then off to another neighbouring jurisdiction for another brand new adventure.
“I’m going to Tokyo after Singapore, and will ride there for two months from the 5th of September.”
Kuah, on his part, was glad to welcome a new rider on his four horses, hoping their one-day union will bear some results. The Singaporean trainer saddles three other horses who are ridden by apprentice jockey Ng Choon Kiat – Hades (Race 6), Super Big (Race 7) and Military Alliance (Race 8).
“Ryan sat on my horses for the first time today and seems to be a good jockey,” said Kuah.
“He has four rides and let’s hope he can win on at least one horse.”
