One of the major licensed British thoroughbred horse trainers.
Born in 1979.
In his early teens, although from a non-racing family, Varian enjoyed pony riding and spent time riding out for trainers at weekends. His enthusiasm for the sport was encouraged by his parents.
After finishing school, in the mid-’90s, he made the bold decision to go to the US to embark on a career as a work rider at Hollywood Park, located in Inglewood, California, Los Angeles County. As far as records show, he didn’t have any professional rides or wins at this time. However, in the late ’90s, he returned to the UK, where he rode for National Hunt trainer Josh Gifford. He rode seven winners for The Downs Stables, located at Findon, West Sussex.
Feeling his riding career “needed a push forward”, he returned to the United States in 2001, heading to Maryland, based with trainer Jack Fisher, who is best known for American steeplechase racing. Notable horses for the stable include Good Night Shirt, one of the few horses to earn over $1m in prize money.
However, his time in Maryland was short-lived, as within two months Varian had sustained a serious wrist injury in a fall, ending his career as a jockey.
Later that year, Varian headed back to the UK, taking a post at Kremlin House Stables in Newmarket as assistant trainer to Michael Jarvis.
He remained in this role for 10 years, the stable handling exceptional talents such as Rakti, a winner of six Group One races in Italy and the United Kingdom, and Eswarah, winner of the 2005 Epsom Oaks Classic race.
Michael Jarvis’ career spanned over 40 years. He achieved numerous Group One successes across Europe, including the 1000 Guineas (Ameerat, 2001) and the Epsom Oaks (Eswarah, 2005).
Due to Jarvis’ failing health, Varian took over the running of Kremlin House Stables in February 2011. Sadly, his mentor would pass away on 20 September that year, aged 71.
Varian described himself as “very grateful… very privileged and… very lucky”.
He had notable successes in the following years with the exceptional Kingston Hill, who was runner-up in the 2014 Epsom Derby before winning Varian his first Classic in the St Leger (2014).
Also in 2014, Belardo was rated the best two-year-old colt trained in Europe after his win in the Group One Dewhurst Stakes at Newmarket.
In January 2017, Varian left Kremlin House Stables, purchasing Carlburg Stables from Clive Brittain, who had retired from training in September 2015.
Noted winners at Carlburg Stables (Varian) include:
- 1000 Guineas – Elmalka (2024)
- Irish St Leger – Eldar Eldarov (2023)
Varian is married with three children.
