As a former jockey, Steven King has had a glittering career in the saddle. He has ridden over 1600 winners with more than 50 at Group 1 level - the highlights of which read like a best seller. He partnered with Let’s Elope to win the 1991 Melbourne and Caulfield Cups, Fields of Omagh in the Cox Plate in 2003, two Victoria Derbies on Star of the Realm in 1991 and Helenus in 2002 and the Hong Kong International Sprint on Fairy King Prawn in 1999 just to name a few. He has also won a Scobie Breasley Medal (1997) and a Melbourne Metropolitan Premiership in the 1996/1997 season.

After 30 years in the saddle Steven has taken a new direction in the industry and is a trainer at Flemington. With a stable of fifteen boxes at Australia’s premier race track, a new challenge has him focused on winning premier races again. 

“I have always been interested in the development of the whole horse and I think I’ve been that way my whole life. I’ve been blessed to work with some of the best trainers in the world. Having ridden in many countries (Hong Kong, Singapore, Japan, Dubai and England) I have been able to experience different methods of training and have been constantly learning along the way. Now it’s time for me to bring that experience home to my stable.”

Steven currently rides trackwork which brings something extra to his training method. The ability to monitor the horses on a daily basis, both from the ground and in the saddle, and assess each horses’ needs is something special. It brings a different perspective to his training and offers the owners a unique perspective.

“It has always been important to me that each horse is treated as an individual. They have different needs and personalities. My responsibility is to see that these criteria are met. It also allows me to interact with the owners of the horses on a one to one basis. Everything should be personal.”

Having a smaller stable at Flemington, Steven uses a ‘hands on’ approach. He deals with every owner personally and makes himself available wherever he can. Owners find this approach beneficial as information and updates are passed directly to them from Steven in what he calls his “Open door policy”.

So with an eye to the future and a stable filled with possibility and professionalism, Steven King welcomes you into his stable.