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O. A. Curtis and Sons has been at its present address since 1947 when Don Curtis bought the forge from Ted Honeybun. His father, Oliver Arthur (Jack) joined him to restart the family business. Later they were joined by Don’s three younger brothers, Peter, Morris and Russell. The family connection with farriery goes back at least to the middle of the 19th century. Jack’s father was also called Oliver and he shod on the Cambridgeshire/Suffolk border in villages such as the Wilbrahams and Westley Waterless.
From the time that O. A. Curtis & Sons was founded, the forge concentrated on shoeing racehorses and servicing the local studs. They rapidly acquired some of the most prestigious clients, plating 11 Derby winners over the next 50 years. As racing grew so did the firm; by the early 1970s there were over 15 staff, all working from The Forge in Moulton Road. In 1972 Simon Curtis began his apprenticeship, followed rapidly by his brothers, Mark and Nick. In 1974 seven Curtises were working as farriers in a forge that still hand made all shoes from the 13 fires and anvils.
To this day, O. A. Curtis & Sons shoes mainly Thoroughbreds but we also look after a large Arabian racehorse yard and stud as well as leisure and sport horses. Farriers from all over the United Kingdom and around the world have trained with us; whether through apprenticeships or following qualification, and now occupy highly sought-after positions.
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