Ben Curtis was reacquainted with Keeneland in a big way Sunday when he guided Red Gate Racing’s Normandy Coast to 3½-length victory in the $300,000 Palisades and recorded his first Keeneland win.

A native of Ireland who has ridden extensively in Europe, Curtis has been based in North America since 2023. He had three mounts last year at Keeneland.  

“I’ve watched a lot of racing from here, and I had a go around the track during one day of racing at the October meet,” Curtis said. “The track on Sunday was what you would expect after the weather.”

The Palisades, a 5½-furlong race for 3-year-olds, was scheduled for the turf but was switched to the sloppy main track after days-long rain.

“Normandy Coast is a big, lovely horse who was dropping back in distance, and he handled the conditions well,” Curtis said. “He (and I) won a very competitive race at Fair Grounds in January. We stretched him out on a much deeper track (in the Gotham [G3]) at Aqueduct.) He didn’t like the surface and the (1-mile) distance. Sunday was the ideal scenario, and I got the dream trip around.”

Eddie Kenneally, whose brother Eric is a partner in Red Gate, has no firm plans for Normandy Coast’s next start.

“We’ll look at the upcoming sprints for 3-year-olds; nothing etched in stone just yet,” the trainer said. “The fact that he can run in the mud is good. He is an improving horse with a bright future.”

Aside from his triumph, Curtis relished the Keeneland atmosphere of cheering fans despite the unseasonably chilly conditions.

“They get good crowds here, and a lot of them are interested in the horses,” he said. “Most people come here to watch the Thoroughbreds, and that is nice. There is a good vibe here. The track is lovely.”

This afternoon, Curtis will pursue Keeneland win No. 2 when he rides CJ Thoroughbreds and Mo Speed Racing’s Tom’s Magic in the Transylvania (G3) Presented by Keeneland Select.