'I fell out of love with the game' - catching up with the Ebor-winning jockey-turned-TalkSPORT presenter who quit saddle aged 27

Former top apprentice Louis Steward has no regrets about retirement at the age of 27 two years ago, with the Ebor-winning rider still involved with racing through his work with Godolphin and in the media.

One of Steward's career highlights was winning the valuable York handicap in 2014 on 20-1 chance Mutual Regard for Johnny Murtagh. However, despite flying high at the time, the 5lb claimer's exploits had evidently passed by Murtagh, who was in his first full season of training. 

Steward recalled: "Winning the Ebor turned out to be the fondest memory of my career but I only got the ride as the owner Andrew Tinkler liked my strike-rate at the time.

"It was Johnny's first big winner as a trainer. Before he took the saddle off me, he said he'd never heard of me but not to hit the front too soon, and if I did that I should win!

"In the race itself I remember coming to the furlong pole and I was thinking is it too soon to go yet? Thankfully I pressed the button at the right time."

Louis Steward on Godolphin's 1,000 Guineas winner Mawj at the Rowley Mile

Steward was attached to Michael Bell at the time of his Ebor win and rode out his claim for the Newmarket trainer before getting the call to ride out for Sir Michael Stoute.

On that era, Steward said: "The first horse I galloped was Crystal Ocean, which was amazing. Sir Michael was a genius to work for and the only trainer I was ever in awe of."

A few years later, he called time on his race-riding career.

Steward said: "I fell out of love with the game really. Having ridden plenty of winners as an apprentice it was hard to achieve the same goals without a claim. 

"It was draining on the body and the mind and as I'm 6ft tall it was always a challenge. I gave it my best for as long as I could and went out on a high after winning a Listed race for Saeed bin Suroor at Musselburgh in 2023.”

Louis Steward enjoyed sporting the Queen's famous silksCredit: Getty Images

Although he handed in his licence two years ago, Steward still rides out for Bin Suroor in Newmarket and will soon be spending his 11th straight winter at the Godolphin operation's Dubai base at Al Quoz Stables.

As well as his morning activities, Steward is also busy in the afternoons and will be at York on Saturday covering this year's Ebor in his role as a co-presenter on talkSPORT.

He said: "TalkSPORT has been a family vibe for me since I retired and I also work for Coral and William Hill. Over the winter I do a bit for the Dubai Racing Club, so there's plenty going on."

Read more:

2025 Ebor Handicap at York: the runners, the odds, the verdict 

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