Stephen Theodore Racing

stephen_theodore_racing (2160p).mp4

The tough 4-year-old gelding Atomic Time 'Tommy' took out the second race at the Balaklava Mid-Weeks this afternoon under the urgings of hoop Harry Grace to knock of his maiden in style. The Time Test gelding appreciated the step-up to the seven furlongs, found an on-pace position in running and was tenacious late when challenged to show grit and fight in what was a pleasing result for the stable and connections alike. Post-race, a content Stephen Theodore commented his (Tommy's) "first up run was brilliant, we just got beat, and then I'll pot Dad (owner), we drew the outside here Cup Day, and I said scratch and he said run, and as a good trainer I listened to my owners and so it was just a disaster, they ran him off his legs, he drew wide, so put a line through it." In preparation for today, Stephen commented "we took the blinkers off and put the winkers on, and smashed him it up the hill 4 times in the last 10-days", which is a cornerstone of the systems and structures of STR. On summation of the performance, Stephen advised "to its credit, he was brave all the way to the line for a horse that's probably been frightened of the finishing post in a few occasions, but as I said, we brought the best out of him and hopefully now he's won one, he might win a couple more".

It's Time for Tenacious Tommy 

Stephen Theodore

The striking grey Silvaloa was victorious at Gawler on the 23rd of September 2026 in the Class 1 contest over the 1200m trip with Harry Grace in the saddle. The 4-year-old Tagaloa gelding was hampered on jumping away, ended up just off midfield in the run, enjoyed an inside passage into the straight, got through its gears, and really knuckled down in the last 200m, with clear race fastest final sectional of 11.61s, to come over the top of them full of running. It was a pleasing result for the owners, at only his second start for the stable, and the $12 SP also put a smile on their faces! The STR team looks forward to seeing what the grey can achieve for the remainder of the preparation, particularly as he continues to rise in distance.

Silvaloa Shines At Gawler

The bold front running 4-year-old gelding Boyd has continued his winning ways, since joining STR, by holding off his rivals to win the Class 2 Sportsbet Feed Handicap over the 1050m at Morphettville on Saturday the 12th of Sept 2026. The speedy son of I Am Invincible shot out of the gates under the urgings of Harry Grace to clearly head the field to overcome the wide barrier. The pair found rhythm and controlled the race out in front and held off the fast finishers to secure a 1.07 length victory. A jubilant Stephen Theordore was all smiles post-race, confidently commenting on Boyd's return to the races that "he's a good horse Terry, I had no trials, I've had him up the Hill and his work the other day was as good as I've seen, and I said to Linc and the boys, he's a moral, so I'm glad for all the owners to come here and collect because we've had a slow start to the season with winners, this is the first one, but a stack of placings and hopefully it's a domino effect now we got one down and they'll all follow". On what distances may suit the speedster, Stephen commented "certainty fast horses run fast, but I think he'll run 1200 no worries, and we've harnessed the speed, I let him run up the Hill as fast as he could until he got puffed and now we can control it, Madison, who strapped him, she's the only one who rides him, Harry comes up and rides trackwork but I won't let him ride trackwork on this bloke, we've got it down pat, as she's got beautiful hands and as I said we are reaping the rewards race day". On what trackwork rider and strapper Madison Halford brings to the STR team, Stephen proudly voiced "she rides 90% of the trackwork, my riding days are well and truly behind me Tez but she's brilliant at her craft, she's not a racing background and what she does is she gets the horses to travel at the speed I want them to go up the Hill, which means we can save the speed for race day". The colours worn on top of Boyd, pay homage to 4-time Group 1 winning trainer Les Theordore, father of Stephen. The famous colours bring back fond memories for Stephen growing up, including champion Campaign King and the legendary Better Loosen Up's early days. This kind touch is a testament to the strong bond between father and son and what racing means to the generations. Boyd, a 32k online purchase, joined STR only months ago, took to the Hill work aplomb, and has since amassed just under 70k in earnings from his 4 starts, which has included 3 wins. This is very exciting and rewarding for the big ownership group, old and new, who are reaping the rewards of this speedy commodity, and we can't wait to see what he does next.

Big Bold Boyd Wins Again

The 2025/26 racing season was another successful campaign for Stephen Theodore Racing, highlighted by feature race victories, consistent performances at metropolitan and country level, and immediate success with strategically purchased tried horses.The stable's flagbearer Fine Future enjoyed a standout preparation, delivering two major feature race victories during the autumn carnival period. In early April, Fine Future captured the $107,000 The Vintage at Oakbank during the renowned Easter Racing Carnival, before progressing to Morphettville later that month to claim the $75,000 Thomas Farms Handicap over 1600 metres on Day 1 of the Adelaide Racing Carnival. The gelding continued his excellent form through the winter, producing a courageous performance when finishing second in the $175,000 Swan Hill Cup in June.Another stable star, Oxford Blue, provided owners with a memorable metropolitan feature win when taking out the $65,000 Sportsbet Country Mile Final at Morphettville on TAB Finals Day in November 2025. The victory showcased the horse's tenacity and ability to perform on the big stage against strong competition.Promising youngster Flying Brant further enhanced the stable's season by performing admirably during the Adelaide Racing Carnival, finishing third in the Group 3 Chairman's Stakes on Day 1 of the Adelaide Racing Carnival at Morphettville. The black-type placing highlighted the horse's potential and provided further evidence of the stable's ability to develop emerging talent.The season also marked the retirement of much-loved stable stalwart Katim's Club. A fan favourite throughout her career, Katim's Club retired in early 2026 with an impressive record of 5 wins and 19 placings from 44 starts, providing her connections with many memorable days at the races. Following her retirement, she transitioned seamlessly into life after racing and now enjoys her new career at the Silver Shadows Rehoming &amp; Education Centre, where she continues to be cherished and cared for.A key factor behind the stable's continued success is its focus on sourcing tried horses through online sales platforms, identifying value purchases that can deliver immediate rewards for owners. This approach was clearly demonstrated throughout the season. 3-year-old Boyd made an instant impact after joining the stable, recording back-to-back victories, while Nordic Viking also rewarded connections with a winning debut for the stable at Murray Bridge when scoring first-up in new colours, colours whom have formed a formidable combination with the stable in On Fire Racing.These results reflect Stephen Theodore Racing's commitment to placing horses where they can be competitive, maximising opportunities for owners, and successfully identifying racehorses capable of delivering immediate results. With feature race success, black-type performances, and a proven acquisition strategy continuing to pay dividends, the season was another strong advertisement for the stable's progressive approach and dedication to owner success.

Season 2025/26 Review

The ever-consistent stable stalwart Divine Fire 'Alice' ended the 25/26 Racing Season on fire securing her 7th career victory at Strathalbyn this afternoon, in Race 5 the Sportsbet Jockey Watch Handicap over the staying trip of 2050m. The five-year-old daughter of Divine Prophet had been racing consistently all preparation without winning and that was evident with her last couple of assignments, finishing second at Mildura and as recent as last Sunday, another second placing at Balaklava. Stephen Theodore knew he had a fit, sound and in form mare and made the decision to quickly back her up, finding a very winnable mid-week assignment at Strathalbyn. Hoop Rochelle Milnes took advantage of being on a fit and strong horse by riding positively and confidently, taking luck out of the equation, and the mare's tenacity was on display late as she staved off her rivals to hold on for a well-deserved victory. This was a very pleasing and rewarding result for Alice's owners, led by Jarred and Nathan Kersten at On Fire Racing. The gritty mare has taken her earnings over the 250k mark and continues to be one of the banner horses of the stable, who loves her racing and thrives under the systems of STR, which allows her to sustain a long and consistent preparation.

Alice On Fire At Strath

The speedy Boyd put together back-to-back victories for his connections last Friday 26/06/26 on the Ballarat Synthetic in Race 5 a BM56 over the 1000m sprint trip. The 3-year-old son of I Am Invincible ventured across the border to avoid the rain affected tracks and from gate 1 was able to hold the rail, absorb pressure to its outside, hold the lead rounding the home turn then kicking away finding a few lengths on his rivals to hold on strongly by 1.75L under a textbook steer from veteran hoop Brad Rawiller. Boyd was a recent online purchase and acquisition to STR, winning his first two races for the stable to generate instant results for owners old and new, which has been a thrill, particularly for the new owners to STR. Stephen Theodore had identified that training the gelding to run 1200m would see him be stronger over the concluding stages of shorter events, that has been evident in his assignments thus far and bodes well for future placement. Boyd can utilise his liking for good tracks and his on-pace pattern to find his place at metropolitan level, particularly into the warmer months later this year and continue to be a nice little money spinner for his connections.

Back-to-Back For Boyd

The ever consistent four-year-old gelding Hard Leaf, aka Russell, put together back-to-back victories at Mount Gambier yesterday, in Race 7 the BM58 Handicap over the seven furlongs. From the wide gate, Russell wasn't able to find a forward position and in-form hoop Harry Grace elected to stay wide on the track finding cover, which was the advantageous pattern of the day under the Heavy 9 track conditions. Russell has taken a real liking to the rain affected tracks and was the only galloper you wanted your hard earned on rounding the home turn, as Harry and Russell, under the 60.5kg impost, cruised wide into the home straight putting lengths on their rivals to win by a commanding 5.75-lengths. This is a pleasing result for Russell's connections, with win number three for the preparation, and this bodes well for the winter months, as the son of Long Leaf loves the sting out and relishes the wet conditions under foot and connections would love to find a similar set-up in a metropolitan race over these months. Russell is another product of the Hill track at home and the systems of STR allow this gelding to sustain a preparation and still present in fantastic order its ninth run into the preparation. The STR team are willing to travel to find the best race for any given horse to provide its best opportunity to return results for owners, and Russell is a shining light of this approach.

Hard Leaf Romps Home at the Mount

The recently acquired three-year-old gelding Boyd, saluted in style yesterday at Swan Hill on Cup Day, in Race 1 The Bottle 'O' Swan Hill Maiden Plate over the 975m sprint trip. The speedy son of I Am Invincible was purchased online only a few weeks ago and had equipped itself well to the systems of STR being trained to run 1200m in order to be strong over the shorter trips to negate its tendency to be found wanting late in its previous assignments. The script was to be forward early and find the front to play to its strengths, and that's what transpired; however, it was challenged in the lead by Induction, who didn't let Boyd get his own way. The race favourite, Scoobartie, was watching this unfold and had the drop on the leaders. Boyd had the better of Induction on the home turn and Scoobartie loomed large and looked to take over the race at the 200m mark but Boyd fought back and showed strength late to regain the lead and win the race in strong fashion. This was a very pleasing result for owners, who are only weeks into ownership, some of which are new to STR. It was also a joyous day for STR, who shares a strong affinity with Swan Hill and finding success during the famous Swan Hill Carnival. STR almost snared a double on the day with the stable warrior, the striking chestnut Fine Future, almost taking out the Swan Hill Cup. Kayla Crowther found the right lanes into the home straight and was coming with a well-executed run until Froggy came with a swooping run off its back with Cartoon Graveyard to claim it in the concluding stages. It was another bold effort for the stable star Fine Future, who keeps delivering consistent results for his connections, led by Jarred and Nathan Kersten at On Fire Racing.

Boyd Salutes At Swan Hill

Hard Leaf returned to form with a hard-fought victory on the 22nd of May 2026 at Mount Gambier in Race 5 the 0-54 Hcp over the seven furlongs. The $2.45SP favourite worked at both ends, having no peace when trying to find a forward position in running from a wide gate, which saw him posted three wide without cover. The gelding covered plenty of ground in transit and was under riding on the dogleg, however the toughness and class shone through late, as the son of Long Leaf found plenty in reserve to stave off his rivals in the concluding stages of the event for a gutsy victory. It was a pleasing return to form, after the venture on the Port Augusta dirt, the start prior, didn't pan out as intended. The return to the soft tracks proved a wise move from Head Trainer Stephen Theodore, as the four-year-old bay gelding seems to find his best on rain affected surfaces. Hard Leaf has taken his career wins to four, with another eight placings, and this latest win on the South-East has seen his earnings surpass the 115k mark.

Hard Leaf Back To Form With Tough Victory - 22nd May 2026

Stable favourite KATIM'S CLUB 'KATIE' recently retired from racing at STR. KATIE boasted a record of 5️⃣ wins with 1️⃣9️⃣ placings in her 4️⃣4️⃣ start career, which began at Rosden Park with Roslyn Day before being purchased by STR in early 2️⃣0️⃣2️⃣5️⃣. The courageous and gritty mare banked just over 1️⃣9️⃣4️⃣k in earnings over her illustrious career and will forever be remembered for her toughness. KATIE'S 'Off The Track' career has begun with her rehoming and training at Silver Shadows Rehoming &amp; Education. She has acclimatized to her new surroundings and work with the same grace and vitality she had for the racetrack. We look forward to continuing to track her journey via Chantelle &amp; Andrew at Silver Shadows.