Back in the Driving Seat

Mark Walker gained plenty of insight from Stephen Autridge about training thoroughbreds in the earlier days at Te Akau, and recent changes see Jamie Richards presented with a similar opportunity under Stephen's guidance.

Both Stephen and Mark worked for Te Akau principal David Ellis at Te Akau Stud, and at the stables in Matamata, and while the path for Mark led him to five training premiership titles in New Zealand, before establishing the Te Akau Racing's stable in Singapore, Autridge gained notable success as stable foreman for V. P. (Paul) Sutherland when the pairing twice finished second in the Sydney premiership to illustrious trainers Brian Mayfield-Smith and T. J. (Tommy) Smith.

Back home in Matamata, Autridge went on to train twelve Group One winners. Lashed (Encosta De Lago), Keeninsky (Stravinsky) and Tattletail (Faltaat) amongst the best of them, with the most recent being A Touch of Ruby (Pins) in the 2014 Thorndon Mile (Gr. 1, 1600m) at Trentham.

“I love being back at Te Akau,” said Autridge. “It makes things easier with top staff like Pam (Gerard), Jamie (Richards), Kris (Shalier) and Steven (O'Neil) to work with and we have a goal in place to train Group One winners and finish in the top three in the premiership this coming season."

With his father Bob and brother Toby both trainers, Autridge was born into racing and had ponies from day one.

“As well as riding horses I played rugby as a kid and if we ever managed to get out of town it was generally to a beach somewhere or to see the relations in Gisborne,” said Autridge, who has enjoyed travelling to Australia, Singapore, Hong Kong and Phuket in Thailand.

“I enjoy the challenge of getting the best out of horses in training and the overall excitement of horse racing. David and Mark buy some wonderful horses and we'll certainly be doing our best to get wins on the board for the owners."

With his wife Lynley, who also works alongside Steve, the couple live near Wairere Falls, just out of Matamata, and always have their black and white foxy Nina as a constant companion.

“We have had always had a foxy,” said Autridge.

Coming on board as the senior in a new Autridge/Richards training partnership at Te Akau racing stables in Matamata, Autridge is keen to impart his knowledge and put the time into teaching his younger counterpart.

“Jamie has shown himself to be a highly capable young man and has has a meteoric rise through the ranks at Te Akau, and I'm sure that with the addition of the team of people around us we can have a good deal of success,” said Autridge.

“I'm certainly looking forward to it, that's for sure”.