Career
Varian moved to the United States as a teenager and found employment as a work rider at Hollywood Park. On his return to the United Kingdom rode as a National Hunt jockey, mainly for the Josh Gifford stable, riding seven winners. He went back to the United States in 2001 for the Maryland-based Jack Fisher commenting that his riding career "needed a push forward".
Less than two months after relocating to the United States, Varian sustained a serious wrist injury in a fall, ending his career as a jockey.
Varian returned to the United Kingdom and became assistant trainer to Michael Jarvis at the Kremlin House stable in Newmarket. He remained at the stable for ten years, handling horses such as Rakti and Eswarah before taking over the yard when Jarvis retired due to poor health in February 2011.
Commenting on his succession, Varian described himself as "very grateful.. very privileged and. very lucky". Roger Varian is the son on Nigel and Sue Varian.
Speaking of his brother"s death Varian has said "If I ever start worrying about something I always turn my mind back to Chris and say "what are you worrying about that for? lieutenant doesn"t matter.
All this stuff is trivial. We are training animals to run as fast as they can. As long as I am doing my best, am honest with people and can go to bed at night with a clear conscience, it doesn"t really matter".
Varian is married to Hanako Sonobe and has two children Momoko and Eiji.
