Stephen Theodore Racing

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Four-year-old mare Briseis Eclipse, or Betty as known around the stable, secured her second career victory at Bordertown yesterday on Cup Day, in Race 4 the 0-54 Fillies &amp; Mares Handicap over the 1200m journey. After leaving the machines cleanly, Betty and hoop Campbell Rawiller elected to be positive and find a forward position in running, sitting outside the leader. At the top of the straight the pair elected to take over and skip away, putting a couple of lengths on their rivals, to record a comprehensive 3.44 length victory. It was a pleasing performance for the daughter of Overshare, at only her second start for the stable, and she was clearly a class above with a positive ride from Rawiller and a dominant closing sectional under hands and heels. The connections, led by Ian Bell and the Campolina Syndicate, were all smiles with the performance, as was Head Trainer Stephen Theodore, who was enjoying crayfish and a refreshing beverage at the On Fire Racing Christmas Show in Darwin. For Betty, she will look forward to her preparation ahead, particularly when she's gains further race experience and irons out her quirks under the tutelage of Head Trainer Stephen Theodore and the STR Team.

Betty Eclipses Rivals at Bordertown

Stephen Theodore

Our four-year-old mare Saint Boom continued her good form this preparation, winning Race 1 at Balaklava this afternoon, the Agfert Class One Handicap over the 1600m journey. With the services of veteran hoop Jason Holder, Boom was able to secure a lovely run in transit and be presented at the right time in the small field to make the winning move into the home straight. Pleasingly, Boom was able to find that length when it mattered, which saw her clock the fastest last 200m of the race to ensure victory was in her keeping. Post-race with Terry McAuliffe, an upbeat Stephen Theodore made comment on his thoughts leading into the race, stating that "when the fields came out, it was a small field, but the second favourite won a maiden in 2023, I mean she's got good current form, so if that was the main danger, and that's not disrespectful to the second horse, but if that was the main danger, I was pretty confident my mare's going places, so I want to be winning today if I want to go to town on Saturday week". McAuliffe made reference to the mare started her career under the care of former trainer Peter Hardacre, who has remained in ownership, when transferred to STR. Theodore humorously discussed his recent pre-race chat with Hardacre over dinner at the Wellington Hotel the night prior, commenting "he's such a reserved guy (Hardacre) and I'm such a hyperactive sort of dude and I said to him we'll bid on margins, not if she wins, he said oh just shut up, play it down, there a good bunch of owners he said, they're not used to that side of talk". Theodore paid respect to Hardacre, stating "I'm grateful for Pete on giving me the opportunity, his new business model, as I said if I keep winning races there might be a few more find their way, and he's going to live the lifestyle that I want, that you don't have to go to the races every day with the pressure". The relationship with Hardacre goes back many years to the Cranbourne days, as Theodore jokingly commented on reflection "I had hair, teeth and we were both young blokes back in the day, so 2003 that was when I first met Peter". Post-race with McAuliffe, Holder made comment on how the race transpired from his pilot seat, stating "it worked out lovely Tez, I got a lovely run from where we were, I heard Ben Price (By The Book) coming and I thought jeez I need to find to win the race and she found, which was great, she found under pressure, she gave me a good length, and she was too good for them". The daughter of Spirit of Boom will now look to return to Saturday class in the coming weeks to continue her rise in form this preparation. The future does looks bright for the gorgeous mare who is now starting to find her way, much to the delight of the owners led by Hardacre.

Boom Goes Bang At Balak

<div style="text-align: left;">Oxford Blue, or Caesar as he's affectionally known, rallied in the very wet conditions to fight back and claim victory in Race 3, the 65k Sportsbet Country Mile Final at Morphettville yesterday.</div>
 The well fancied $2.80 pop was the one the punters wanted to be on, however, the stable where anxious leading in due to the inclement weather of the day. In driving rain, Campbell Rawiller was able to propel the bay gelding forward and lead the race with pressure at their girth, Rawiller attempted to gain a breather mid race, which saw him get a trail behind the mid race leader. Rawiller got to work on the gelding rounding the home turn and the job appeared difficult as Crown Mint headed and went past Caesar, however, the strength and skills of Rawiller coupled with the fight and tenacity of Caesar saw them lift off the canvas to score a gutsy win. Relief and sense of achievement flooded Head Trainer Stephen Theodore post-race, as the long-range plan to pull off another Finals Day victory appeared to be playing to script race week, however, was severely tempered on race day with the persistent rain that wouldn't subside. Post-race with Terry McAuliffe, Theodore provided insight into his mindset leading in, commenting "it's a hard day today, this horse he went so bad for me his first start on a soft track, then I went to Mildura and proved that he can run 3rd, it was dry tracks we tipped him out, and we had it all set, then the rain come". Theodore provided further insight into Caesar's preferred conditions and how the race played out in transit from his unique perspective, stating when "working him at home on the Good 3 at Murray Bridge, which is nearly every Tuesday, he's so electric, and as soon as you sort of soften those tracks up he's just dour, and even Cam, and I'm going to say that's a brilliant ride, but when he let that horse go around him you know I haven't had a smoke for 11 years but I was looking for a bunger, I was that desperate". Theodore paid homage to Caesar's influential owner, remarking with gratitude that "Rob Cummings is a very influential person in racing, I ended up with a horse with good form and wrecked it in two starts and now I'm rectifying it". Theodore took time to take stock, reflect on what was achieved, and pay respect to the STR Team stating "I'm as proud as punch, because it's Finals Day and Sports Bet Finals Day and South Australia's chance to showcase after a wonderful spring", on the STR team, Theodore named the team individually jokingly stating "they all make me look good, without hair and teeth", "what a great result for everybody". The STR team can proudly boast that on three separate Finals Day's the stable has secured three different victories; Divine Fire, Fine Future and now Oxford Blue. It is vitally important that the team target these events, with the rich prizemoney on offer, to ensure owners are receiving the maximum benefits. Caesar has now secured victory number three along with six other placings in his short but consistent career to date. That important Finals Day win also propels the gelding's prizemoney to just shy of the 135k mark. The four-year-old son of Fiorente will now likely tackle the Bordertown Cup in the coming weeks, hoping to add more Silverware to the mantle for Rob and connections.

Caesar Reigns Supreme In Finals Day Victory - 22nd Nov 2025

Glamour five-year-old gelding Zuetoro, or Joey as he's affectionally known, was able to secure victory in his first start for STR at Murray Bridge this afternoon in Race 5, the 0-58 Handicap contest over the 1000m. Jockey Todd Pannell was able to bounce out of the gates and secure the gun run behind the two leaders, rounding the home turn Pannell eased away from the inside lanes, found his way to middle of the track, and went to the front at the 300m before staving off the late finishers to secure the victory. The $31SP despised roughie not only shocked the punters but Head Trainer Stephen Theodore too, with his comments post-race with Terry McAuliffe providing further insight into the stables thinking; "it was set for Strathalbyn the other day, and it was second emergency, and Toddy was going to ride it that day. I just thought today the big track wasn't going to suit even though the pattern probably does." Theodore provided background on how the stable secured the son of Toronado, remarking that "Joey Cunningham who does a lot of pre-training and breaking for Fiteni's, he's involved with this horse and that's the reason I'm training him, that with the Peninsula Bloodstock colours, you know it was a bit of surprise, it's gone around without anything probably on it but at the end of the day they've got a bit of prizemoney and we've taught the horse to win". Post race with Terry McAuliffe, veteran hoop Todd Pannell provided his thoughts on the race stating it "worked out perfectly, we ended up getting into a good spot, travelled really strongly into the straight there, I was able to just wait as long as I could before pushing the button, (and he) finished off well. I haven't had much experience with the horse and that was the first time I've had a sit on it, so very good to get the win." Joey has only been in the STR system for 3-4 weeks with Theodore complimenting the good-looking gelding remarking "he's a pretty horse and a quiet horse", "he's a just a beauty, and you can see why they (Cunninghams) want to keep it for their daughter afterwards, he's got a terrific nature, he's a good looking rooster, so happy days, and we'll try and pick another one for him".&nbsp;

Joey Bounces to Victory in Stable Debut

Broadway Dancer, or Roxy as she's affectionally known, was able to secure her maiden victory this afternoon at Balaklava in Race 3, the 3UP Maiden Plate contest over the 1400m. The 5-year-old Highland Reel mare came into this preparation with a lovely trial win at Morphettville Parks on the 16th of August 2025, sweeping past the field under little urging. The 1st up assignment at Naracoorte 10-days ago didn't all play to script, with the well fancied $1.60 pop getting back in the run, finding herself wide on the turn and laying in on the home straight to finish 3rd. Head Trainer Stephen Theodore elected for a gear change this start, removing the winkers and going with the near side blinker to curtail her tendency to lay in. With a run under her belt, Roxy came into today's contest full of confidence, particularly with gaining the services of veteran hoop Jason Holder. The skill and experience of Holder was able to secure Roxy a prominent run in transit, and they were able to cruise into the home straight, staving off the late closers to win by 0.91L. Post-race with Terry McAuliffe, Stephen Theodore commented "I think I had a little bleed at the 100 too, watching her". Theodore thanked Roxy's patient owners, including ex-Carlton and Richmond player Roderick "Ricky" McLean, commenting "thanks Ricky for sending her over, she's been an absolute nightmare, congratulations, you persevered".&nbsp; Theodore reviewed last start, bemused about how low her odds were in the market for a horse who's five and had three trainers along with eleven attempts at a maiden, remarking "she was a good run, they kicked on the turn and she hit the line super, she still laid in a little bit, so we did do the Colin Hayes gear change, the one eyed blinker, Stubby just gets the right day to get on in the right race, and he made it look, not painless, but he made it look easy". Post-race with Terry McAuliffe, jockey Jason Holder commented on how the race transpired from his perspective, remarking that "she (Roxy) jumped quite well with me, so I was able to sit outside the leader, they didn't go that quick, so I think she did a good job". Both Theodore and Holder are unsure what the future may bring for the mare, Theodore will now go away and discuss what's next for Roxy, over a drink and chat with owner Ricky McLean.

Roxy Dances Up A Storm at Balak

It was a winning day at the mid-weeks for STR with our 4-year-old mare Saint Boom breaking her maiden status in dominant fashion at Murray Bridge in Race 2 over 1400m. The daughter of Spirit of Boom relished the addition of the blinkers, broke from the gates well and travelled sweetly on speed before kicking away in the home straight to record an emphatic 2-length victory under the guidance of veteran hoop Jason Holder. Plans were derailed last start when the mare was slow away, however, her ability to recover and tenacity to fight out the top 4 demonstrated to the stable her attributes and class. Post-race with Terry McAuliffe, Head Trainer Stephen Theodore commented on how STR acquired the mare from former trainer Peter Hardacre, and pondered the money left in the bag last start, stating "she came to me a very professional racehorse, Pete (Hardacre) and his team delivered me a horse ready to do that, we were a bit stiff not to do it for the fat money the other day in town, she stepped away awkwardly, we put the blinkers on just to make sure she became a winner, she's such a lovely animal, she probably just needed that, just to remind her, guided by a good ride." The $2.60 SP race favourite wasn't missed in the market, and the stable were quietly bullish in the lead-up with Theordore noting post-race, "I said to Pete (Hardacre) before the race, I think she'll win today and don't be surprised we win sort of three on the bounce because she's got the makings of that horse, especially now she's doing a lot of hill work, she is strengthen up in all the right areas." Post-race with Terry McAuliffe, Holder commented on Boom's performance and the pre-race plans, stating "today she jumped really good with the blinkers, she put herself there, and Steve was great, he didn't tie me down to instructions, he just said if she jumps well have her where you're happy". Holder spoke positive of Boom's ability and future, remarking "I think she'll start to show her true colours now", "I like the way she just attacked the line, with the blinkers on Tez, she was a lot more relaxed and more focused". The ownership group, led by Hardacre and a number of syndicates among others, had their patience rewarded today at start 11, and the performance bodes well for Boom to add more framed photographs to the mantle pieces of her loyal band of followers!

Boom Goes Bang to Break Maiden

The 6-year-old brown mare Savsonic 'Sav' rocketed home in her first up run of the preparation to finish dead-heat first with the visiting Victorian Warparty in Race 4 yesterday at Morphettville, the Sydney McDonald Memorial 0-62 Handicap contest over the 1541m journey. After a comprehensive 3.63L win first up last campaign, Racing.Com presenter Terry Mcauliffe questioned Head Trainer Stephen Theodore post-race on what happened for the rest of that preparation, with Stephen noting it was "derailed, (we) drew wide over the carnival, just went back too far, went too wide, panicked, made a gear change, went pear shaped again, I was smart enough to abort and reset". On race tactics and instructions for this event, Stephen remarked "I said to Kayla before the race, I feel so much confidence when I have Kayla on horses that are out of form, cause she listens and I said I want you to go out and be Kayla Crowther and ride this horse how it feels, don't go forward don't go back, wherever you're happy and the horse is happy and have faith that I've got her back going well again, and proof was in the pudding". Kayla was on board the mare for her previous win first up last preparation at Penola, and hasn't been on since, as Stephen cheekily noted "she was silly and broke her collarbone, and that was the derailment of the preparation, she's back and the horse is back". Post-race, Kayla noted on the line in the driving finish that "she stuck her head out at the right time" to ensure a joint victory. Kayla remarked "it was a bit of a messy race, there was a lot of congestion, no tempo sort of injected" and that "the slow tempo probably helped her conserve it early and she's got a really good little turn of foot". The joint victory yesterday secures win number four for the mare and takes her prizemoney over the 100k mark. The daughter of Savsensation recorded the equal fastest last 600m and fastest last 200m sectionals of the race yesterday. With that effort under her belt, she should continue to prosper this preparation out in distance while retaining the services and silky hands of Kayla, which will be pleasing for Stephen, Molly, and her big band of prominent owners.

Sav Flies First-up to Secure a Dead-Heat Victory

<div style="text-align: left;">Stephen Theodore, Molly Theodore, and STR connections celebrated the '2025 Sportsbet SA Racing Awards Night' in style last night at Morphettville.</div>
 This was an oppourtunity for the stable to be officially awarded with the 'SA Provincial Trainer Premiership' for Season 24/25. The night was very special celebrating and reflecting on the success achieved in Season 24/25 with our wonderful and supportive family and friends.

2025 Sportsbet SA Racing Awards Night - SA Provincial Trainer Premiership 24/25

The talented five-year-old mare Greenidge led from start to finish in a well rated ride from apprentice Alysha Warren to win Race 5, the BM66 1200m contest, at Naracoorte this afternoon.&nbsp; Greenidge, or Belle as she's affectionally known, was first up this preparation off only one trial and Head Trainer Stephen Theodore commented that the mare would strip fitter from the outing, however, had the capabilities to be in the finish. In the finish she was, as Warren was able to bounce Belle out of the gates well and took the initiative to be positive and find the front. The mare travelled sweetly under the hands of Warren, and the race favourite Tiz Time was stalking her coming near the home straight, however, Belle railed well and found another gear to stave off her rivals and win rather soft by just over two lengths. The market sure didn't respect the mare, allowing her to drift to the delicious odds of $10.10. The daughter of Lohnro has won four races in 2025, which is very pleasing for her owners led by Ian Bell and the Campolina Syndicate. The mare now takes her prizemoney to just over the 72k mark, added another dimension to her repertoire winning on a soft 7 track and is set for a promising preparation ahead.

Greenidge Fires First Up at Naracoorte

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<div dir="auto">STR is delighted and proud to capture our 350th career winner when Pirate won in dominant fashion at Port Augusta&nbsp;in Race 1&nbsp;on Sunday 24/08/25.</div>
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<div dir="auto">From our first career winner of&nbsp;Joffa Gem in 2003 to Count Ricardo to Crack A Roadie to Fine Future and many others in between, it has been a memorable journey, which isn't possible without amazing family, staff and owners. Head trainer Stephen is already planning to hit 400!</div>
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