First training win for James Stephens

He’s best known for his successful association with Self Assured, and now James Stephens is a race-winning harness racing trainer.

Now Pukekohe based, James Stephens celebrated his first training success at Cambridge Raceway with Anna (Sweet Lou) who took out the EAC Animal Care Mobile Pace.

“It was great, and Andre (Poutama) drove her really well” said Stephens “I wasn’t really too sure what to expect after she galloped in her race on Friday but she didn’t put a foot wrong today and won quite nicely.”

The six-year-old Sweet Lou mare was lightly tried nearly 12 months ago before entering Stephen’s care in October last year, and on Friday she was officially Stephens’ first starter as a trainer. But in that race things went pear shaped with the mare breaking at the start, and again at the 300 metre mark when at the rear of the field.

However second up the mare could not be faulted, exhibiting perfect racing manners. From barrier four, Anna was driven forward by Poutama to easily obtain the lead where he would remain throughout. With no one challenging him in front, Poutama enjoyed a comfortable lead time and when Lukaku attempted to challenge the mare from the 400 metre mark, Anna was simply travelling too well, clearing out to win by a 4.5 length margin with little encouragement from Poutama.

“She’s a fairly hot horse and has fired up a bit as her work has increased which is why I raced her fresh without a trial on Friday,” said Stephens.

“After that, I went away and changed up quite a bit of gear and she raced today with the fixed hood on, but Andre also drove her with confidence and didn’t knock her round either which was good to see and she’ll definitely benefit from it.”

“She hasn’t been the easiest horse, and I think she’ll take some racing to really settle into things, but we’ll head to Auckland next with her where there’s either a junior drivers race or a fillies and mares race for her.”

The 27-year-old is currently employed by Lincoln Farms trainer Ray Green but is well known from his time employed by Mark Purdon and Natalie Rasmussen at the All Stars Stable where he was responsible for the care of top line pacer Self Assured. Stephens says it was after working for Purdon that he thought he’d one day like to give training a go himself.

“I really enjoy the finer details of looking after horses and it was something I did a lot of when I was working for Mark, particularly with Self Assured,” said Stephens.

“Working with such nice horses and in a set up where there were so many good horses definitely inspired me to strive toward training my own horse one day and Mark is great in that I still ring him and ask for advice with the horses and he’s happy to help.”

“I also have Malcolm Shinn to thank, as he was the one who really helped me out when I first got started with horses as a teenager,” said Stephens, “I spent weekends helping him out and learning the ropes and eventually had my first fast work drive there, and it’s led to me having a good career in the industry.”

While Anna is currently the only horse in Stephens’ care, he is excited about future opportunities in the industry particularly the Next Gen Initiative, of which Stephens is an eligible Next Gen Trainer.

“I’d really love to try and get a horse that’s eligible for Next Gen initiative as there’s some great bonuses on offer,” said Stephens “It’s awesome the industry is getting something like this going, and anything to help new trainers out is a good thing.”

To find out more about Next Gen click here.

For complete race results, click here.

by Brigette Solomon, for Harness Racing New Zealand