Stephen Theodore Racing

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🏇🔥SEASON 2️⃣4️⃣/2️⃣5️⃣ WRAP🔥🐎<br /><br />📣The reimagined STR has enjoyed a very successful season🥂<br /><br />📈STATS SNAPSHOT📈<br /><br />4️⃣8️⃣ winners from 2️⃣4️⃣9️⃣ runners🏃&zwj;♂️<br /><br />2️⃣0️⃣%🥇Strikerate🔥<br /><br />4️⃣9️⃣%🥈🥉Strikerate✅️<br /><br />💲1️⃣,2️⃣1️⃣3️⃣,4️⃣0️⃣8️⃣ Prizemoney💰<br /><br />🏇STABLE STAR - FINE FUTURE🏇<br /><br />🥇105k Pathways Provincial Final🔥<br /><br />🥉Group3️⃣ Cummings Stakes✅️<br /><br />🐎STABLE SUCCESS🎖<br /><br />🥇- Provincial Trainer Premiership🏆: <br />8️⃣ winners🥇at Balak @ 2️⃣9️⃣% - 7️⃣ at Murray Bridge @ 1️⃣4️⃣%; 5️⃣ at Strath @ 2️⃣1️⃣% &amp; 5️⃣ at Oakbank @ 4️⃣5️⃣%<br /><br />4️⃣th - SA Trainer Premiership 💪:<br />8️⃣ winners🥇at Morphettville &amp; Morphettville Parks<br />DIVINE🔥FIRE -🥇65k Series Final @ Morphettville<br /><br />🏇SADDLE THAT TRAVELS🧳<br /><br />Winners🥇across 2️⃣ states and on 1️⃣5️⃣ different tracks from Port Lincoln to Swan🦢Hill &amp; many more inbetween including SUZIDO -🥇 VOBIS Gold Bonus💰 @ Horsham🏇<br /><br />🔥SYNDICATE SUCCESS🔥<br /><br />On Fire Racing 1️⃣3️⃣ individual season winners🥇at STR🧯<br /><br />Stephen Theodore, Molly Theodore, Josh Brooks-Clark &amp; the rest of the Team at STR would like to extend their thanks &amp; gratitude to all our wonderful owners &amp; connections for the support and friendship throughout the season<br /><br />🚨Bring on a bigger &amp; better Season 2️⃣5️⃣/2️⃣6️⃣

STR SEASON REVIEW 24/25

Stephen Theodore

The final days racing for the 24/25 Season in South Australia concluded this afternoon at Balaklava with Mandino running a commendable 3rd. <br /><br />It's an honour for our dedicated team at STR to share that our stable, our staff and our connections are rewarded with the 'Racing SA Provincial Trainers Premiership' for Season 24/25. <br /><br />The 'Provincial Premiership' saw us win 29 races from 118 starters at a formidable 24.60% strike-rate. <br /><br />The overall 'SA Trainer Premiership' saw us finish a delightful 4th with 46 winners from 229 starters at a strike-rate of 20.10%. <br /><br />These results, in the first season of the reimagined STR, are testament to the hard work, dedication, and skills of the team and the support of our wonderful owners and connections.<br /><br />We look forward to an even bigger Season 25/26 at STR!

STR captures the Racing SA Provincial Trainers Premiership for Season 24/25

PICTURE: Dean Yendall and Picky winning the 2400m BM64 Handicap at Swan Hill.<br /><br /><strong><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Promising and progressive four-year-old gelding Take A Pick made the road trip to Swan Hill on Tuesday the 29th of July 2025 to take on the Victorians in the staying event of the day, a BM64 over the 2400m trip on a Heavy-9 deck. The long trek from SA proved fruitful for the STR Team, as the son of Lucas Cranach showcased his staying prowess winning by a modest four lengths under the guidance of veteran hoop Dean Yendall.</span></strong><br /><br /><strong><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Stephen Theodore commented to Racing.com post-race that "we come here with a mission, as I said the unknown was the wet track but he's staying ability, he'll just go all day". Tactics were interesting early in the event, with Picky finding the front when he's competitors were hesitant to lead, Stephen remarked "I did say to Dean be creative if you had to, if it wasn't run to suit don't bottle him up and make it messy, just get him into his rhythm, get him into a breathing regime, and just let him go".</span></strong><br /><br /><strong><span style="font-size: 14pt;">On post-race comments that Picky could end up in an Adelaide Cup one day, Stephen advised "it's about getting there rating right, you know he could even find himself down in a Tassie Cup, you know the trip away will do him the world of good".</span></strong><br /><br /><strong><span style="font-size: 14pt;">In reference to the gratitude STR has for Fiteni Thoroughbreds sending horses to the stable like Picky, Stephen remarked he's a "very green bugger, and as I say he's still learning his craft and he's got blinkers to make him go and he's got a Norton bit to make him slow down, so one day he'll have no gear on and he'll be the furnished product".</span></strong><br /><br /><strong><span style="font-size: 14pt;">The furnished product in making was the fan of the favourite backers at Swan Hill, with the short-priced commodity saluting at the odds of $2.60SP, with Stephen remarking "we got pizza money now", making the trip back to Murray Bridge even more fulfilling.</span></strong><br /><br /><strong><span style="font-size: 14pt;">The Swan Hill victory takes the lightly raced gelding's career wins to three and options aplenty over staying trips in races to come with fingers crossed that STR and Fiteni Thoroughbreds could be competing in feature staying races in the months to come.</span></strong>

Picky a Stayer on the Rise - 29th July 2025

<span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">PICTURE: Canyon Wind and Todd Pannell are led-in by Molly Theodore after securing victory at Balaklava on the 9th of July 2025.</span><br /><br /></span><strong><span style="font-size: 14pt;">The</span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> lightly raced 3-year-old gelding Canyon Wind was able to break his maiden at the Balaklava mid-weeks on a bitterly cold, wet and wintery afternoon. The son of Shamoline Warrior was able to land just better than midfield with cover and was able to improve into the race at the right time and chase down the leader and hot pot Territorian in a well-timed run by Todd Pannell.</span></strong><br /><br /><strong><span style="font-size: 14pt;">It was just reward for the gelding, who was third up and had been building into his preparation with a last start third at Bordertown over the 1100m. Stephen Theodore, post-race on racing.com, advised "I got Todd to go to Bordertown and have a ride, and he said just step it up and take the earmuffs off and you'll be winning next start". That is exactly what transpired, with Canyon Wind stepping up to the 1300m, while Stephen removed the earmuffs with Todd Pannell remarking post-race on racing.com that, "that little gear change helped".</span></strong><br /><br /><strong><span style="font-size: 14pt;">It looks to be a bright future for the gelding, who is only at career start four, with Stephen advising post-race that "he's only three and he's lightly raced, so he's a nice horse in the making".</span></strong><br /><br /><strong><span style="font-size: 14pt;">The immediate plans for Canyon Wind will likely entail one more run before a spell, Stephen advised post-race that "he'll probably only have one more and I say he's done a really good job but he's going to get out to further, to a mile at least, and that's when we'll probably see the best of him".</span></strong><br /><br /><strong><span style="font-size: 14pt;">The STR team were pleased to get this result for the ownership group of Fiteni Thoroughbreds, led by John Fiteni.</span></strong>

Canyon Wind Knocks-off His Maiden at Balak - 9th July 2025

PICTURE: Pirate and Sairyn Fawke returning to the winner's stall at Port Augusta on Sunday 6th of July 2025.<br /><br /><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><strong>The 4-year-old bay gelding Pirate has found a real liking for the dirt of Port Augusta in recent times putting together back-to-back victories at the track in dominant fashion. </strong></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><strong>On Port Augusta Cup Day in a BM56 race over 1396m, it was a rinse and repeat performance of the maiden win from the son of Merchant Navy, as gun hoop Sairyn Fawke again drove the gelding forward from the low gate and from there he was able to control the race and put pay to his rivals. The gelding was again the punters pal, starting the $1.80 SP favourite, and he didn't let them down, winning by a comprehensive 5.11 lengths.</strong></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><strong>That was Pirate's second career win, with combined winning margins of 13.26 lengths. It was pleasing to see the gelding step up from 1200m to 1396m and still showcase his speed and dominance. Pirate has now taken his career earnings over the 50k mark and the STR team will endeavour to keep finding suitable races for the gelding, which will likely include more dirt assignments!</strong></span>

Pirate Strikes Gold Again - 6th July 2025

Picture: Pirate, Stable Foreman Josh Brooks-Clark and Sairyn Fawke celebrating the maiden win.<br /><br /><strong><span style="font-size: 14pt;">The 4-year-old bay gelding Pirate was able to break his maiden on the dirt of Port Augusta over 1200m on Sunday 22nd of June with Sairyn Fawke in the saddle. <br /><br />The son of Merchant Navy relished the conditions and put pay to his rivals by a whopping 8.15 lengths.<br /><br />Sairyn made sure Pirate was scrubbed along to hold his rails advantage from the low draw and he continued to drive forwards to join the leaders before dropping them with ease on the turn powering away in a dominant display.<br /><br />It was just reward for Pirate who had been contesting harder maiden races in his short career bumping into smart types like Caladan and Synchro. The maiden victory takes his prizemoney to just over 42k with an overall record of 12 starts for one win and four minor placings.<br /><br />Pirate also rewarded the thrill-seeking punters, saluting at the tomato sauce odds of $1.45 SP.<br /><br />It was also a fruitful day for Sairyn winning three races on the card and stamping his authority on the dirt!</span></strong>

Pirate Plunders the Treasure at Port Augusta - 22nd June 2025

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<div class="html-div xdj266r x14z9mp xat24cr x1lziwak x14ctfv x13sv91t x6ikm8r x10wlt62 xerhiuh x1pn3fxy x10zy8in xm9bcq3 x1n2onr6 x1vjfegm x1k4qllp x1mzt3pk x13faqbe x11jlvup xpmdkuv xrmkrer x12z03op x9wyiwl x13fuv20 x18b5jzi x1q0q8m5 x1t7ytsu x12lizq0 x1nrdd72 x1ybe9c6 xx487zo xaymx6s x1lu5o8o x1ou5ly4 xofb2d2" role="presentation">
<div class="html-div xexx8yu xyri2b x18d9i69 x1c1uobl x1gslohp x14z9mp x12nagc x1lziwak x1yc453h x126k92a xyk4ms5" dir="auto" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Picture: Stacey Metcalfe and Jet are all smiles after the win at Balaklava.</span><strong><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><br /><br />It was a winning day at the Balaklava mid-weeks on Wednesday 18th of June when the stable saddled up two runners for two victories.</span></strong><br /><br /><strong><span style="font-size: 14pt;">The recently acquired 6-year-old gelding Italian Informant was able to win first up for the stable under the riding of gun hoop Todd Pannell. Luigi, as he's affectionately known, travelled well on the speed and kicked away strongly in the straight for a commanding victory. Luigi is a product of the uphill sand track at home and will improve even further throughout the winter on rain affected decks.</span></strong><br /><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><strong><br />The day got even better when the consistent 4-year-old mare Spirit of Flight was able to run down the veteran France's Boy in fine style under a beautiful steer from Stacey Metcalfe to bring up a race to race double for the stable. Jet, as he's affectionately known, rewarded his connections after his very commendable last start fourth at metropolitan level.</strong></span><br /><br /></div>
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Mid-Week Double at Balaklava - 18th June 2025

<div class="x_elementToProof" style="text-align: left;" data-olk-copy-source="MessageBody"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Picture: Connor Murtagh and his mate Katim's returning to the winner's stall on 25th April 2025.</span><strong><br /><br />The 6-year-old bay mare Katim's Club has been a model of consistency since joining STR from an online sale in March 2025. In 8 runs for STR, Katim's Club has won 2 races with 4 other minor placings.</strong></span></div>
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<div class="x_elementToProof"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><strong>Katim's Club has always pleased Molly since day 1 and her toughness and fight has seen her quickly become a stable favourite. This was most evident when she doggedly rallied back, after being headed at the 100m mark by Even Sharper, in her most recent gutsy win at Balaklava over 1400m in April 2025.</strong></span><br /><br /></div>

Katim's Club Model of Consistency

<div class="x_elementToProof" style="text-align: left;" data-olk-copy-source="MessageBody"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Picture: Gucci and Jess Tzaferis are all at peace after securing the win at Morphettville Parks on 7th June 2025.</span></span><strong><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><br /><br />The talented 5-year-old mare High Society Girl was able to secure a metropolitan victory at her most recent run at Morphettville Parks on the 7th June 2025, where she relished the wet track conditions under the textbook riding of Jess Tzaferis. Jess and Stephen had been seen undertaking the &lsquo;rain dance&rsquo; the night prior to ensure the mare had her favoured conditions!</span></strong><br /><br /></div>
<div class="x_elementToProof" style="text-align: left;"><strong><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Gucci as she is affectionally known, was able to secure a rails trail behind the leaders and was travelling to the turn before peeling 3-wide into the straight under a lovely steer from Jess in a strong staying performance.</span></strong><br /><br /></div>
<div class="x_elementToProof" style="text-align: left;"><strong><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Gucci has been racing this preparation since March 2025 and has been able to secure 3 victories, which has taken her prizemoney to just over 123k.</span></strong><br /><br /></div>
<div class="x_elementToProof" style="text-align: left;"><strong><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Gucci's owners, led by the On Fire Racing Syndicate, look forward to more wet race days in the Winter!</span></strong></div>

High Society Girl Relishes the Wet Conditions - 7th June 2025

<div class="x_elementToProof" style="text-align: left;" data-olk-copy-source="MessageBody"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><br /><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Picture: Take A Pick with Connor Murtagh and his "shaka" after winning his maiden at Murray Bridge in April 2025.</span><br /><br /><strong>The 4-year-old bay gelding Take A Pick had been finding bad luck since his maiden win first-up this preparation. Stephen has publicly stated his opinion of this horse, and punters needed to stay patient, as Stephen applied gear changes and made the mid-week trip to Balaklava at his most recent run on the 4th of June 2025 to secure a comprehensive victory over the 2200m.</strong></span></div>
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<div class="x_elementToProof" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><strong>Piloted by the very talented Todd Pannell, Take A Pick was able to settle and trail a hot speed and was the horse you wanted to be on a long way out, as his staying prowess came to the fore, winning by just under 4 lengths.<br /></strong></span></div>
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<div class="x_elementToProof" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><strong>It was extra special to secure Take A Pick's second career victory for connections John and Kathy at Fiteni Thoroughbreds.<br /><br /><br /></strong></span></div>