Longtime track announcer Curran to retire; calls his final race Saturday

John Curran, Delaware Park’s track announcer for the past 37 years, will retire after the Breeders’ Cup this year and will call his final race at the track on Saturday, Delaware’s closing day.

Curran, who has also worked at Delaware as a racing official, stakes coordinator, simulcast coordinator, and publicity coordinator, was given the full-time announcing job at Delaware in 1984. Since then, he has called nearly every race at the track.

“I have been very fortunate to be able to announce some of the most memorable races in the sport,” Curran said in a release distributed by the track. “The biggest has to be the 2011 Delaware Handicap, when Blind Luck and Havre de Grace gave us a race for the ages. Having the opportunity to announce the career debuts of all of those nice maiden winners like Afleet Alex, Barbaro, Eight Belles, Hard Spun, Havre de Grace, Tapit, and Union Rags, just to name a few, is very humbling.”

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Curran got his first announcing job at Atlantic City Race Course in 1980, as the assistant to Bob Weems. He has also called races at Detroit Race Course, Philadelphia Park, Laurel Park, Pimlico Race Course, Monmouth Park, and Garden State Park.

Curran was hired at Delaware by John Mooney, the track’s longtime general manger and now the executive director of racing.

“John has had a phenomenal career,” said Mooney. “In my opinion, he is one of the best in the sport. There has not been a more dedicated or professional announcer in the sport.”

Curran will officially retire on Nov. 7.