Melbourne Cup-winning jockey retires

Brad Waters - Tuesday August 1

A Melbourne Cup-winning jockey has retired from the saddle after a terrific career that yielded 54 Group I wins.

Advertisement
Steven King has confirmed his retirement from riding. Photo: Darryl Sherer

Melbourne jockey Steven King last rode in December last year but told the Herald Sun he would not return to race riding.

King, who won the Caulfield and Melbourne Cups in 1991 aboard Let's Elope said he was working for prominent Victorian owner Lloyd Williams at his Macedon Lodge operation.

King said he was unsure whether he would move into the training ranks but added he would retire satisfied with his achievements in the saddle.

"I'm still working out my career path, and whether that's as a trainer I'm not sure, but for the moment it's great to be with Lloyd Williams as he has great horses and great staff," King said.

"I'm happy with what I've achieved. I could have kept going for another three or four years but I'd really be milking it. I've gone down another career path which I regard it as a transition phase."

"I'm happy doing what I'm doing and I just decided there was no value in going on. I'd only be devaluing my career."

King's son Lachlan is a promising apprentice in Victoria and the 47-year-old said he was enjoying watching his son develop under the guidance of trainer Gerald Egan.

"I watch all of his rides and I'm like a coach behind the scenes for him. When he rides I feel as if I'm still riding," he said.

King took out the Melbourne jockeys' premiership in the 1996/97 season while his list of Group I wins includes the 2003 Cox Plate on Fields Of Omagh, the 1991 Victoria Derby on Star Of The Realm and completing the 2002 Caulfield Guineas and Victoria Derby on Helenus.

King's last win was aboard the Anthony Cosgriff-trained Arachne on November 25 last year.

Advertisment
More Reading...
New Stakes-Winner for Zoustar
The $150,000 Listed Hannan’s Handicap (1400m) provided reigning champion sire Zoustar with a new stakes-winner when seven year-old gelding Multinational led for home and could not be caught.
Sires With Winners - Thursday October 2
Here is the full list of 29 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Blueblood Fillies From $3million Mares
Tom Magnier has been notable for his purchase of elite race fillies and broodmares in recent years to enhance the stellar Coolmore broodmare band and two of his $3million plus mare purchases have produced stunning fillies this spring.
NZ Derby Hero Willydoit Primed for Epsom
Last season’s New Zealand Derby hero Willydoit will step back into the spotlight on Saturday when he contests the Gr.1 Epsom Handicap (1600m) at Randwick for trainer Ciaron Maher, with jockey Tommy Berry bullish the horse is ready to make his mark over the famous mile.
One to Watch – Geelong
Trilogy Racing will have high hopes for the their talented filly Queen of Clubs in the Group I ATC Flight Stakes on Saturday and their colours were in the frame at Geelong on Thursday carried by a Zoustar filly that saluted on debut.
Generation Foals Built for Speed
Victorian farm Lovatsville offer a diverse stallion roster for this spring geared to satisfy a wide spectrum of breeder ambitions and if explosive Aussie speed is your thing then Snitzel stallion Generation will fit the bill.
Milan Park Experience Highs and Lows
Tony Rider experienced the extreme highs and lows of breeding thoroughbreds within a matter of hours on Wednesday.
Juvenile Trial Watch – Caulfield
Three barrier trials at Caulfield on Thursday morning produced heat winners for first season sires Wild Ruler and Profiteer with the quickest winner being Free Flying, the half-sister by Snitzel to brilliant Group winning mare Learning to Fly.
Inglis Ready2Race breeze up footage NOW AVAILABLE ONLINE
Progeny of the likes of Toronado, Exceed and Excel, Harry Angel, Zoustar and Ole Kirk were amongst the standout performers from breeze up sessions conducted this week in the lead up to the Inglis Ready2Race Sale on October 16, footage of which is now available online.
Melody Belle Daughter Set for Long Awaited Debut
It will be a full-circle moment for Te Akau Racing at The Valley on Friday night when Lyrics ‘N’ Song, a daughter of their former multiple Group One winner Melody Belle, makes her debut.