Steve Lock - Owner Breeder

OK Steve, so how did you first get into racing?

At University with friends. I then had a few years out before returning as an owner breeder about 10 years ago. This was prompted by news of the death of a good friend. At the time, we were working together and talking of buying a horse (to be called The Ginger Bear after my friend who was 20 stone plus and very ginger!). It seemed a good thing to do in his memory.

And when did you first get into racehorse ownership?

I sold a yearling in Ireland and part of the deal with the trainer – Karl Burke – was for me to take a leg or two.

How did your association with Tweenhills begin?

A close friend is an ex-British Army Officer. I was at his house with some of his friends, one of whom had been an auctioneer at Brightwells. I asked him for a recommendation and he suggested David as someone who was hard-working, up-and-coming and straight – a very accurate assessment!

What are your racing colours and which trainers do you use?

Yellow, grey and white – I thought they were tasteful until we went to Southwell in the mist and I realised bright is beautiful! In alphabetical order: Amy Murphy, Ben Haslam, Karl Burke and Stuart Kittow.

How many horses do you own?

I own bits and pieces of about 20 horses, mostly mares and foals - I am very pleased with the foals produced by Deodoro and Strawberry Martini. I am lucky enough to be involved in a couple of mares going to Zoustar which is very exciting. On the racing side, Castle Hill Cassie has been great fun in the short time we have had her and we are looking forward to Great Shout’s return to the racetrack in the spring. A special word for Lily Jean who we bred and ended up racing due to a terrible run of bad luck at the sales (mainly through self-injury; she must have been very attached to Tweenhills!). She has not been great yet but she is back in training and we are ever hopeful.

What’s been your biggest success to date?

We bought a mare in France who was a half-sister to Heart of Darkness, from a great family. Her foal wasn’t great but we covered her with Lope de Vega (he was a bit cheaper then) and sold her for €95,000 on the back of her son, Ivory Land, becoming a Group 2 winner in France.

What are your hopes for the season ahead?

Great Shout to break her duck and fulfil her real promise. Lily Jean to do similarly but we may have to tone down the promise angle. Castle Hill Cassie to enjoy her visit to Zoustar but also to give us a great day out at the Lingfield All-Weather Championships on April 19. This would be especially good for Ben and Alice Haslam who have done such a good job with her. Roedean to give us a fine, bouncing, beautiful Kingman colt. And lastly, Serena’s Pride Havana Gold filly to blow them away at the Doncaster breeze ups. Doesn’t seem much to ask though any one of the above would be great.

And finally, what are your favourite things to do outside of racing?

Golf – though some of that depends on the quality of play and company. I will also be starting the final leg of my wine exams later on this year so I hope to do a tasting at Tweenhills some time, for the staff and anyone else who fancies rolling up!