LAURIE WEIR
Ross “Cowboy” Curran, a respected name in harness racing, has been posthumously inducted into the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame. The announcement was made during the 2024 Hall of Fame celebrations, where Curran joined fellow nominees James “Roach” MacGregor and pacing stallion Goliath Bayama in the Standardbred Veteran Category.
The honour was formally presented to Curran’s son, Chuck Curran, on Aug. 7 by prominent horse owner Brad Grant, whose late father Jack Grant had a close friendship with the Smiths Falls native. Chuck Curran expressed his gratitude, acknowledging his father’s passion for harness racing. “Dad’s life revolved around horses. This recognition by the Canadian Racing Hall of Fame means so much to us,” said Chuck.
Ross Curran’s racing career began at 16, quickly gaining prominence with his first driving title at Connaught Park at age 20. He became a top reinsman at several major tracks, including Mohawk Raceway and Rideau Carleton Raceway. His peak year was 1972, when he ranked second in North America before retiring early due to health issues.
Curran’s youngest daughter, Pattie Curran, fondly recalled his father’s impact on the sport and the community. “Dad loved every moment at the races,” Pattie said, sharing a memorable story of how Rideau Carleton Raceway’s general manager once ensured her father received VIP treatment.
Known for his exceptional skill and ability to manage challenging horses, (where he got his nickname) Cowboy Curran was a leading dash winner from 1964 to 1973 and achieved a remarkable winning percentage over a decade. He drove 1,711 winners and earned over $2.7 million throughout his career. Inducted into the Sportsman Hall of Fame in 1988 and honoured with the Living Legend Award in 2009, Curran’s legacy is celebrated for both his driving and training prowess.
Friends and family gathered at the Mississauga Convention Centre to honour Curran’s induction and celebrate his lasting contributions to Canadian horse racing.
With files from Chris Lomon for Trot Magazine and Melissa Keith for Harness Racing Update
