Meet Stephanie Thornton - BRC's Face of Stradbroke Season

 

Jockey Stephanie Thornton, one of Queensland racing’s rising stars, was announced as Brisbane Racing Club’s newest ambassador, and the face of Stradbroke Season presented by TAB at Thursday’s TAB Queensland Winter Racing Carnival launch. 

Stephanie, 22, kicked off her racing endeavours for this year’s Stradbroke Season in style, winning on Slow Hands in the Treasury Brisbane Class 6 Handicap last Saturday, the first day of carnival, Treasury Brisbane Queensland Guineas Day. 

A Victorian native, Stephanie made the move to Brisbane in late 2019 and made an immediate impact. She finished fifth on the Brisbane Metropolitan Premiership with 53 wins last season and this year was successful in the $1Million Magic Millions QTIS aboard The Odyssey and $500,000 QTIS 3YO Jewel on Simply Fly. 
It’s not surprising Stephanie is forging a career as a jockey. She grew up in a racing family - dad Glenn is a trainer and her brothers Boris and Damien are both jockeys. 
Stephanie said she was excited to become a BRC ambassador, which is giving her the opportunity to experience Brisbane’s premier racing season from both sides of the track. 

“I’m loving being the face of Stradbroke Season, there’s so much excitement around the quality of racing coming to Brisbane, along with entertainment and glamour off the track as well,” she said. 
“Working with the BRC on a few photoshoots, with my hair and makeup done has been such a fun time, a little out of my comfort zone, but an experience I have really enjoyed. 

“The winter racing period in Brisbane is the best time to visit. Last year’s Stradbroke Season was affected by the pandemic; this is the first time I will get to see the full carnival. I’m super excited and I’m really enjoying it.” 

Stephanie graduated top of her class at Racing Victoria’s Apprentice Jockey Training program, and was named the Victorian Jockeys' Association's Outstanding Apprentice Jockey in 2018. 

Her partner, fellow jockey Ben Thompson, has joined her in Queensland and the pair have set down roots for the long haul, recently purchasing their first home in the river city. 

For details about Stradbroke Season presented by TAB visit brc.com.au