Written by Joe McGrath
Steven King burst onto the racing scene in 1991 and enjoyed a glittering career in the saddle. Since his retirement in 2017, he’s been quietly working on a new career path, with much more to give to the racing industry.
For former jockey Steven King there is not much he hasn’t achieved in racing. More than 1600 winners globally; 49 at Group 1 level; a Caulfield-Melbourne Cup double in 1991 aboard Hall of Famer Let’s Elope; a Cox Plate (2003); two Victoria Derbies (1991 and 2002); a Hong Kong International Sprint (1999) and just about every other race worth winning on the Australian racing calendar.
He’s won a Scobie Breasley Medal (1997); a Melbourne Metropolitan Premiership (1996- 97) and ridden five winners at a metropolitan race meeting, twice, including Flemington (6 November 1993) and Sandown (3 April 1997). He’s even the father of Lachie, who won last year’s Victoria Derby aboard Johnny Get Angry.
But, for a former jockey who is used to the highly competitive world of being a jockey, arguably his greatest challenge lies ahead. This time as a trainer.
At the September Racing Victoria board meeting, 51-year-old King was granted a trainer’s licence. And will be training from ‘a few’ boxes within the Steve Richards Flemington stable. A humble offering on the surface, but if you could jump in the mind of a steely determined son of a former jockey, this is the way he likes it. A dead-set challenge, where starting at the bottom is just a part of life.
Talking with King in recent months, you get the impression that on the thirtieth anniversary of his greatest race triumph on Let’s Elope, for this former star jockey, it’s another chapter complementing his ongoing love and passion with racing.
“I have always been a jockey who has been interested in the whole development of the horse.
“All roads lead to the decision to take out my own trainer’s licence.
“After I retired (in 2017) from race riding, I approached Lloyd Williams (seven-time Melbourne Cup-winning owner) and broached the idea of becoming a foreman at Macedon Lodge, working for Rob Hickmott.
“I learned a lot from Rob and Lloyd preparing all those quality horses for Melbourne Cups, and then I moved to Flemington to work with Steve Richards as assistant trainer.
“I now think the time is right for me to go out on my own. I have half a dozen horses heading my way already, and I am looking forward to the challenge.”