Olly Stevens, who has trained in Britain for three years at Sheikh Fahad's Robins Farm, has announced that he will retire from training at the end of this season. The 37-year-old, whose wife Hetta is closely involved in the training operation, stated family reasons for his and his wife's departure.
“In making our decision to stop training, Hetta and I have decided to put our family first,” Stevens said. “Our 3 1/2-year-old twin girls are fast approaching an age when they will remember the environment they are growing up in. In wanting to make the most of the amazing opportunity we have been given at Robins Farm, Hetta and I have worked very closely together as a team, but at the cost to our family. It would not have worked if Hetta had taken a step back as she is very hands-on in the running of our team of staff and horses.”
Many of Stevens's horses have competed in Sheikh Fahad's colors, and they include Peace And War (War Front), who became the first British-trained juvenile to win a Grade I on dirt when taking last year's GI Alcibiades S. Stevens also trained Extortionist (Ire) (Dandy Man {Ire}), winner of Royal Ascot's Listed Windsor Castle S., for Sheikh Suhaim Al Thani.
Stevens's current stable star is Qatar Racing's Group 2-placed Lightning Spear (GB) (Pivotal {GB}), who could have Grade/Group 1 dates in the Woodbine Mile, Breeders' Cup or Melbourne Cup Carnival before Stevens turns in his license at the end of the year.
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