The Racing Life of Steph Searle

The old saying of never work with animals or children didn't resonate with Stephanie ‘Steph’ Searle. She would have happily worked with either but animals – specifically racehorses – prevailed and have become a huge part of her life. In turn, she's become a huge part of racing, looking after many classy horses for top trainers in the UK and Ireland. These include Zarkandar, winner of 2011 Triumph Hurdle, 4-year-old Hurdle at Aintree and Betfair Hurdle and the 2012 Elite Hurdle, International Hurdle and the Grade 1 Aintree Hurdle, and Vroum Vroum Mag, another prolific winner, who clocked up twelve wins, including the 2016 Mares’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival and Irish Champion Hurdle. Airlie Beach was another talent looked after by Steph, winning nine, including a Grade 1 over hurdles at Fairyhouse in 2016 and a Listed race on the Flat at Galway in 2017. She also says how lucky she was to lead up Stratum for one of his Queen Alexandra Stakes wins at Royal Ascot; that she accompanied him because she often rode him out at home.

After leaving Willie Mullins’, Steph, 34, worked in TRI, a big equestrian superstore and tack shop for a year. Yet, she returned to the racehorses, continuing to ride out for Willie, do the travelling for his brother Tom Mullins and a weekday office role for Tramore Racecourse. ‘That’s my grown-up job, my real job,’ laughs Steph. ‘I ride out for Willie and take Tom’s runners. Thankfully, my boss at Tramore is really flexible so I can take the day off or work from home.’

How did Steph end up in Ireland in the first place? ‘When I worked at Jonjo O’Neill’s, a group of us went over for their big point-to-point awards evening and dance, including Coral Eastment and Kate Hanson. We made loads of friends and used to come back every year. I always thought I’d come over and give working in Ireland a try. After reaching the end of the line at Paul Nicholls’, I wanted to try something different and thought I may as well work for the best. I’d gone up to Willie that Aintree and he said to come for a job.’

And the rest, as they say, is history. Steph, 34, is settled in Ireland – Goresbridge in County Kilkenny is home. She has a little terrier called Chippy and ex-racehorse Rupert Lamb, who she looked after in training.

The best memories with Vroum Vroum Mag and Zarkandar (Photo Credits: David Cormack and Toby Connors)

‘That’s me, that’s what I do,’ Steph says at the conclusion of the interview. She doesn’t realise that talking to her is always refreshing. Whether it's over the phone, bumping into her on a racecourse or reading her social media posts, Steph is always bouncing and happy. She jubilantly leads in winners, her huge smile legendary. Had Steph ended up looking after children, rather than racehorses, they would’ve been cared for in the same diligent manner, with the same amount of fun thrown in for good measure.

Did you have horsey childhood?

Whilst growing up in Compton Dundon in Somerset, we always had ponies and I did all the Pony Club eventing, dressage and showjumping. When I was little, I was offered a bombproof New Forest pony called Minnow and a chestnut show pony with a big white face and big white socks called Keen Hall Saturn Rainbow. He was known as Bee Gee and was so pretty but bucked me off all the time. I was told I couldn't have two ponies and I had to pick one. I stupidly picked the show pony.

Then, I got a really cool pony called Muffin who was built like a table but would jump a six-foot wall if she was pointed at one. When I went try her out, she was so fat I had to ride her in a racing saddle as a normal saddle wouldn't fit her. If she hadn't been as amazing as she was, I probably would have given up riding altogether. I’d often pull off my sister's horse’s hind shoes because the only way I could stop Muffin was to run into the back of them!

How did you get into racing?

I don’t have big family connections to racing, just that my mum worked for point-to-point trainers, and my sister and her partner had the odd point-to-pointer for a bit of fun. I went to the British Racing School in Newmarket for nine weeks. When I came out of the racing school, I went to work for Richard Barber.

What trainers have you worked for? 

I was a stable girl in Richard Barber’s, then I went to Jonjo O’Neill’s for a year and I had four years for Paul Nicholls. I then went to Willie Mullins’ for seven and a half years, and was a barn manager. Since leaving Willie’s, I've been head travelling girl for Tom Mullins.

Have you ever been a jockey?

Over here, they hold the Up The Yard Challenge race, which is only for stable staff who have never held a jockey licence. I did that over five years ago, finishing second last. Then last year, I did the Pat Smullen Charity Race up the Curragh and won that. I was on a steering job so I can't take much credit but I loved it. I was a very lucky girl.

Steph landing the Pat Smullen Cancer Trials Ireland Charity Race aboard Icare Desbois

What are the best horses you've looked after? 

At Paul Nicholls, I had Zarkandar (Gino) when he won the Triumph, Aintree 4-year-old hurdle and the Aintree Grade One hurdle, which was my last winner for Paul before I left two weeks later.

When I was in Willie’s, I looked after Vroum Vroum Mag, who I called Mags. She won the mares’ hurdle at Cheltenham Festival and the Champion Hurdle in Punchestown. She won over fences and over hurdles – she just won so many races.

Favourite days in racing: 

It's a close tie between winning in the Curragh last year – it was a brilliant day and made even more special that my sister came over – and Vroum Vroum Mag winning her Champion Hurdle. I couldn't pick between the two.

Steph on her beloved Rupert Lamb

Favourite racehorses: 

Obviously Vroum Vroum Mag was my number one. Plus, the one I now own, Rupert Lamb – I rode him for four years in training and I've had him eight years in his retirement.

Favourite racecourse in the UK:

I actually love Cartmel.

Favourite racecourse in Ireland: 

I quite like Gowran – it's my local track – and Punchestown. I do love Ballinrobe when I get there but it takes about four hours – that's a long journey in Ireland.

Favourite canteen: 

I'm not going to lie, canteens in Ireland are awful. They're all pretty good in the UK so it's hard to pick one, especially in comparison to over here.

Favourite meeting: 

In the UK, I love Aintree in April and the Punchestown Festival is my favourite time of year over here. 

Steph with Fascile Mode, Sea Singer and Airlie Beach (Photo Credits: PC Equine Photography and Susie Cahill)

Favourite jockey: 

Daryl Jacob is my number 1 forever and always. We had our first Cheltenham Festival winner together with Zarkandar.

Most memorable overnight: 

I enjoy any overnight in the UK. Ayr is very good because it's a great night out and everyone goes out together. A Royal Ascot overnight is good. But, my most favourite overnight is the November Paddy Power meeting at Cheltenham – I go every year without fail and I make sure Tom always has a runner. Two years ago, our runner unseated at the first but I didn't care as I always have the time of my life there.

Has racing ever taken you abroad? 

I've been to Italy to the big race day over there – for the Grand Premio Marrano cross country race and the hedges were huge. I took Princess Zoe to Saudi Arabia and I've been to South Korea with Riven Light for the Korean Cup in Seoul. 

Steph with Lovely Reaction, Fascile Mode and Takarengo, all trained by Tom Mullins

Best aspect to racing: 

The people.

The worst aspect to racing:

The unsocial hours and lack of days off.

Most memorable advice: 

The one piece of advice that's always stuck with me ever since I was sixteen is that rolled-up bandages are like willies: they’re no use soft. I’m still very particular about rolling up bandages properly; I always pull them tight as I roll them up.

Best racing party/celebration so far: 

We used to have great parties down the Plough at Ford, especially at the November Cheltenham meeting. When Al Boum Photo won his first Cheltenham Gold Cup, we drank for a week solid – that was fun.

How do Willie Mullins and Tom Mullins differ as a boss? 

They are both quite picky, very particular and command high standards about how everything is done. Willie is an approachable person and a big delegator because he has such a big team, whereas Tom has a very small team so it's all hands on deck. Willie is more of a people person and Tom is more grumpy and quiet – but he's mellowed since I started working for him!

 Steph with one of the 'huge hedges' at Merrano, Italy

If you didn't work in racing, what job would you do? 

I’d work with little kids in a play school or year one reception children. When I did work experience in school, my sister said I couldn't go to a racing stables because I did that every weekend, so I went to work with kids. I'd probably be a teacher or something like that.

Favourite food: I love any type of cheese.

Favourite drink: Alcoholic, I like a vodka and lemonade. Non-alcoholic, I drink a lot of water.

Favourite snack: Anything chocolatey. I have an awful sweet tooth.

Favourite music: Westlife.

Favourite film: Into the West.

Favourite book: I love all the Dan Brown books, like The Da Vinci Code.

Other hobbies and interests: If I get a day off, I take Rupert to the beach or go on a fun ride.

Ideal celebrity date: Daryl Jacob.

Favourite holiday destination: If I go on holiday, I usually come home to the UK to see my family.