Stephen was born and raised in Magherafelt, Northern Ireland. The only son in a family of four he developed his father Oliver’s passion for horses at a young age and it was to follow in his footsteps that led Stephen to become a farrier.
To purcuse this dream Stephen left home and indeed Ireland at the tender age of 16 to attend a year long pre-farrier course in Scotland. An 4-year apprenticeship with the highly regarded farrier Jim Rankin followed and while Jim was based close to Stephen home in Ireland he continued to attend college twice a year near Edinburgh.
Upon completion of his apprenticeship in 2003 Stephen moved to Newmarket to enhance his skillset and gain valuable experience at Rossdales Equine Hospital under the tutelage of Dr Simon Curtis. It was no surprise that Stephen fell in love with Newmarket, it’s rich history and it’s traditions, a town so devoted to the Thoroughbred horse that the traffic gives way to the horses when they cross the road. Therefore the initial 2-year plan was extended indefinitely, and in 2010 he would meet and then marry his now wife Alison.
As an individual Stephen is passionate about farriery and the importance it plays in the overall health and performance of the horse. Stephen has an unrelenting focus and drive to continue his self improvement, enhance his skillset and to push the boundaries of hoof-care for his business, it’s clients and the horses they serve. This quest has taken Stephen to all corners of the globe, along the way he has worked with and learned from some of the very best in the industry, farriers, trainers, veterinarians, owners and their managers.
While Stephen has worked with some wonderful horses over the years pride of place has to go to Frankel, the unbeaten champion who was trained by the late great Sir Henry Cecil. More lately Stephen shod the Japanese wonder horse Equinox for his run in the 2023 Dubai Sheema Classic, a race that was to act as a springboard for an unforgetting year ahead that would see him lower track records and end the year as the World Champion with a well deserved 135 official rating.
Stephen says
“ I take great pride in the horses and people I have and continue to work with. In life I feel I have had luck on my side so many times, great family and great friends, an apprenticeship with Jim, the move to Newmarket, two great trainers in Sir Henry Cecil and Roger Varian and a wonderful, supportive and beautiful wife in Alison. I never dreamed I would lead the life I have, nor visited the places I have been to; my only sadness is that my parents are no longer alive to see my journey”
Interesting Links:
Video story: the man who shod Frankel looks forward to another Royal Ascot | Racing Post
