Respected Ballina trainer Stephen Lee landed two winning doubles in the final month of 2023. The first came at Ballina on December 4th when Cosmic Fortune (Adin Thompson) and Inlanda (Robbie Dolan) were successful. He followed up at Murwillumbah on December 27th when Irish Exchange (Jai Williams) and Serenade The Cat (Elion Chaves) saluted for the stable.
A little slice of paradise for the Lee horses on South Ballina beach.
Stephen Lee learned the basics of horse management from his late father Bruce at Quirindi before launching his own training operation at Coffs Harbour. After a thorough search in the Northern Rivers region he settled on Ballina as his future base almost thirty years ago. A consistent strike rate in subsequent years recently saw him top 800 career wins. He rotates horses between a well appointed barn close to the racecourse, and a sixty acre property at South Ballina which features spacious, grassy day yards. Most of his work is done on “nature’s racecourse” - a seemingly endless and pristine stretch of beach.
Stephen rates Anton En Avant his all time favourite horse. The Dubawi gelding won 12 races for the Ballina trainer including the Gr 3 Chairman’s Hcp at Doomben in 2018. He was placed in two other group races in Brisbane. More recent favourites include prolific winners Lasting Kiss and Zoukina. Stephen is ably assisted by his 25 year old son Jordan with whom he’s contemplating a training partnership in the near future.
With jockey Matthew McGillivray after Anton En Avant's win in the Gr. 3 Chairman's Hcp 2018 - courtesy Trackside Photography.
Stephen Lee deserves commendation for another service he provides away from racing. The 62 year old is a volunteer contributor to the wonderful “Five Loaves Meals For The Homeless” organisation in Ballina. He helps to prepare and serve meals on a regular basis and is always available when someone is in need of a sympathetic ear. Stephen Lee is a worthy recipient of the Pryde’s EasiFeed Country Trainer of the Month Award for December. Twelve bags of Pryde’s EasiPerformance will land in his feedroom shortly.
Stephen with granddaughter Haisley at Ballina racecourse over the holiday period.
Stephen with daughter Maddison and son Jordan after See It Thru gave him a third Casino Cup in 2020 - Courtesy Trackside Photography.
First leg of a Murwillumbah double on December 27 - Irish Exchange (Jai Williams) was too strong for Drake Passage in the 2020m BM66 - courtesy Trackside Photography.
(Banner image - Serenade The Cat (Elione Chaves) completes a double for the Lee stable at Murwillumbah 27/12/2023 - courtesy Trackside Photography.)
