MV On Track 2018

38 ON TRACK MAGAZINE While Steph is yet to ride in a Group 1 race, she certainly has her sights set on emulating the feats of Katelyn Mallyon (Silent Sedition, 2017 William Reid Stakes) by becoming the second female to win a Group 1 at The Valley. “Every jockey’s dream is to win a Group 1, and for me to win it on my favourite track would be all the more special,” she said. Ask Steph what race she would love to win the most, and she fires off the answer before you have even finished the question. “The Cox Plate for sure. It’s a race I’ve always watched and its always such a spectacle, especially the last few years with Winx winning. There are plenty of big races around, and people have their sights on winning a particular race. For me it’s the Cox Plate,” she says. Like many, Winx has been Steph’s favourite Cox Plate winner. “She is something pretty special that’s for sure. I also really loved watching So You Think win too. He was such a beautiful horse,” she recalls. With the 2018/19 Night Racing season just around the corner, Steph is particularly looking forward to it kicking off again. “I just can’t wait to be back there racing on a Friday night. There is so much on and it’s a great night for people to come out and watch some great racing during the summer. Hopefully I have another great season, but I am looking forward to it,” she said. The recent successes also provided some ‘off track’ honours, including being an ambassador of Racing Victoria’s 2018 Autumn Festival of Racing campaign. “I had never done anything like that before. I really enjoyed getting involved in the promotional side of racing and surprisingly it boosted my profile. But I know I need to keep working hard to get my rides and I won’t lose focus of that,” says Steph. Growing up with two brothers, would naturally create a competitive environment. So just who is the best jockey out of the three according to Steph? Well she takes the safe approach when answering. “I’m not sure I should answer that! I think Damien and Boris are both very good riders. They both have different styles, but I really couldn’t say who I think the better rider is out of us”. STEPH THORNTON’S 2017/18 SEASON AT THE VALLEY: 77 STARTS 15 1STS (1 TREBLE 3X DOUBLES) 8 2NDS 9 3RDS 19% WINNING STRIKE RATE 41% OF ALL RIDES IN THE TOP 3 $585,855 PRIZEMONEY