The Turnbull victory that ignited King's career

For Steven King, the 1991 Turnbull Stakes marked the beginning of a remarkable career that included over 1600 winners worldwide; 49 at Group 1 level; a Caulfield–Melbourne Cup double in 1991 aboard Hall of Famer Let’s Elope; a Cox Plate (2003); two VRC Derbies (1991 & 2002); a Hong Kong International Sprint (1999), and nearly every other major race on the Australian racing calendar. He would secure two additional Turnbull Stakes victories aboard the great Makybe Diva (2005) and Littorio (2008). The latter race in 2008 was classified as Group 1.

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 at Flemington (6th November 1993) and Sandown (3rd April 1997). King is the son of former jockey Alby King, and was taught to ride by Billy Warke Jr. He wasn’t really aiming for a riding career until trying out with trainer Johnny Meagher at Epsom at the end of Year 10 in the late 1980s. Proving it runs in the family, he is also the father of Lachie, who won the 2020 VRC Derby aboard Johnny Get Angry.

Early in his career, King was guided by some of the top mentors in the industry, including Pat Carey, Des O’Keeffe, David Charles, and Frank Muratore. He was cautious not to get ahead of himself, and even now, you can tell King understands that fortunes can change rapidly in this game, and one should never become too comfortable.

“Being apprenticed to John Meagher set me on the right path to success. He was a great trainer, but he was a very good mentor. He was very much about taking boys and turning them into men. He really instilled the sense of discipline and the need to be reflective and to learn from your mistakes.

“He was all about improvement and being successful.”

But, for King, he had to earn his stripes, and while an apprentice to Meagher, he had to go through his grades, so to speak, before taking the next step.

“I rode a lot around the Gippsland and South Gippsland areas and outrode my provincial claim before I rode my first winner in the Melbourne metropolitan area.

“John made you ride work six mornings a week, and I suppose I developed a strong work ethic from those days,” he added. King’s availability at the track and, no doubt, natural ability drew the attention of other trainers, and before long, doors started to open.

“I was getting good opportunities, but when John Meagher moved from Epsom to Flemington, the doors really opened … in particular with Bart (Cummings).

“I rode a little bit for Bart in the early part, as I got on well with Leon Corstens (Bart’s Melbourne foreman at the time), and before long I was getting offered better rides,” he added.

This newfound connection with Bart was only the beginning of the most influential chapter in King’s career. Enter – Let’s Elope. A big, long-striding daughter of Nassipour, King was asked to ride the very relaxed mare.

“When I rode her in track work, to be honest, she was not that impressive.

She was quite a lazy track worker and only did what was asked of her, but when I got to ride her in the Turnbull Stakes leading towards the Cups, I saw a different horse.

“I gave her one tap to encourage her to come into the race about three furlongs from home (600m), and I don’t think I had felt that sort of acceleration on a horse.

“She found three lengths in a blink and won running away. I knew she was pretty special at that point,” King added.

Next start was in the Caulfield Cup, and the pressure, if it wasn’t already, was starting to build.

With Let’s Elope, you didn’t want to be looking for runs up on the inside of horses.

“I only wanted to be making one run on her and get to the outside. She was beautifully relaxed, and if given room, she would let down beautifully. She handled Caulfield but was better suited on the bigger track at Flemington. Her record there was pretty impressive (four wins from six starts).”

With a growing resumè that included a Turnbull Stakes and a Caulfield Cup, the doors were well and truly opening for King. At only 21 years of age, he was aboard the hottest staying prospect in the land, which led to a win on Star Of The Realm in the Victoria Derby for his former master, John Meagher, on the first day of the 1991 Melbourne Cup Carnival. King was starting to make a statement.

She handled Caulfield but was better suited on the bigger track at Flemington. Her record there was pretty impressive.

For King, the road has opened opportunities through hard work. He learnt early on that success requires focus and dedication. Having ridden household names such as Let’s Elope, Makybe Diva, Star of The Realm, and Encosta De Lago, and competed in international racing jurisdictions like Hong Kong, Singapore, Dubai, and the United Kingdom, he is well prepared for the highs and lows that the next chapter may bring.

King obtained a trainer’s licence in 2021 and has ten boxes at Flemington. With only a few years of training experience, he is pleased with his progress so far, having secured 13 wins, including one in the metropolitan area, from nearly 130 starters. However, he does not underestimate the challenges ahead.

“Everyone told me it would be a tough caper … and they were right. It is … but I enjoy this side of the game and did even when I was riding. I always liked being involved with the team and following up as to what was next. Training horses is very competitive, and most of my horses are running up around the (VIC/NSW) border. I still ride them in work so I get a good feel for where they are at,” King said.

When asked if he misses race riding, King was quite clear. “I enjoyed my time riding, but I was very happy to move on. It’s good to reflect, but I am not one to sit around and talk much about what happened in the past. I’m very pleased with the small team in work and where I’m at,” he said.