A method of quenching a ring shaped article includes heating the article to a quenching temperature; primarily cooling the article down to a deformation correction initiating temperature, which is higher than a martensitic transformation point; and secondarily cooling the article down to a temperature lower than the martensitic transformation point by, while a pair of receiving rolls are held in contact with an outer peripheral surface of the article for rolling motion about an axis of rotation parallel to a center of the article, pressing a press roll, rotatable about an axis of rotation parallel to the center of the article, against the outer peripheral surface of the article from one side of the article opposite to a point intermediate between the receiving rolls.