Since it’s inception in 2007, Ashmount Forge has grown into a multi-farrier practice. Located in Newmarket, England it specialise in the podiatry care of the Thoroughbred. We cater for horses in training, at stud as well as those in a veterinary and rehab setting. Additionally we offer a National and International consultation services and Stephen can regularly found working in Dubai World Cup week and America on Breeders Cup week.
Ashmount Forge has a global client base and its patrons include some of the most respected names in the Thoroughbred industry.
The ethos of our business is simple and is based around a love and respect for the horse. We believe in striving to provide the highest levels of workmanship, service and communication. As farriers we understand that we play a small but vital component in the care, wellbeing and performance of each and every horse we work with.
History and Heritage
Ashmount is the name that was given to the Kielt Family home in Ireland after it was purchased in 1981 by Oliver and Sadie. The same year the third of their four children and only boy Stephen was born.
Located on the edge of Magherafelt, Northern Ireland, it used to be very much in the countryside but now finds itself nestled within the town boundaries. The old farmhouse was what’s known in Ireland as a “Celiich House”, the door was never locked and no one ever knocked. There was barely a night that the house wouldn’t be full of visitors, the kettle always on the boil and a slice of toast never far away.
Stephen is a second generation farrier, his father family were steeped in the traditions of farming and horses. Oliver, was first and foremost a horseman and a very accomplished rider. Due to poor health he had ceased full time work by the time Stephen was at an age to remember but Stephen recalls watching him on occasions trimming a mare or shoeing a pony.
Stephen fondly remembers stories his father told, of how he spent time learning from the great Master Farrier John Comerford in Kilkenny and of when he visited Hereford college in Wales. Oliver could turn his hand to anything, and was someone who believed in the virtues of hard work and the satisfaction of a job well done.
Given his family history and passion for horses it was inevitable that Stephen would pursue a career within the equine industry. From his earliest memory all he ever wanted to do was to follow the in the footsteps of his father. When Stephen began farrier college in Scotland at age 16, Oliver converted the cow byer into a forge for him to practice. Over the years as more space was needed the forge was expanded to encompass neighbouring stables and tack room.
The forge is a mix between a museum and a working entity. Every tool and item in it was hand sourced, each with its story and purpose. The floor comprises of railway sleepers as they are softer than concrete for man and horse to stand on, the anvil has cork placed underneath to give it its own distinctive ring. Nothing is there by chance and no detail has been overlooked. The forge is a testament to Oliver’s vision, his passion for excellence and his attention to detail. Therefore when Stephen began his own farriery business in Newmarket in 2007, a few months after the death of his father it could only be named Ashmount Forge.
Over the last 18 years the business has grown from its first formative steps until today where it is a multi-farrier practice with a client base that spans multiple continents. There have been too many important people and horses to list individually; however, special mention must go to Sir Henry Cecil, Roger Varian and the Niarchos Family, their faith has paved the way for Stephen and Ashmount Forge to grow and flourish.
Spearheaded by Frankel, an undefeated and undisputed World Champion we have shod the winners of close to 60 Group and Grade One races worldwide. These include Champions from every corner of the globe, including Equinox; the highest rated horse to ever emerge from Japan.
Ashmount Forge is proud of our history, our clients and the horses we have worked on. Our values are rooted in the lessons handed down to Stephen by his parents; respect, care, diligence and above all if a job is worth doing it’s worth doing right.
Stephen Kielt, Dip(WCF) BSc(Hons)
Stephen is a practicing farrier with over 25 years experience. Based in Newmarket since 2003 he focuses solely on the Thoroughbred industry.
At age 16 Stephen left home to attend a year long pre-farriery course in Scotland. Afterwards he began a 4-year apprenticeship with renowned Irish Farrier Jim Rankin and in 2003, he graduated with a Diploma of the Worshipful Company of Farriers. Later the same year Stephen accepted an offer to work for O.A Curtis and Sons in Newmarket, England. He remained in this position for three years gaining valuable experience under the tutelage of Dr Simon Curtis and his brother Mark.
Newmarket and in particular the Thoroughbred industry had grabbed his imagination and the planned mover back to Ireland never materialised. In 2007 Stephen set up his own practice based in Newmarket, and that is were he has remained ever since.
In 2022 he achieved a First Class Honours degree in Farriery and in 2025 he was made a Freeman of the City of London and a Liveryman of the Worshipful Company of Farriers.
Stephen takes a holistic approach to farriery and believes in choosing the method that is most suited the each individual horse, be that barefoot or shod. He is a passionate advocate of safe farriery practices and believes that good balance and structural integrity of the hoof goes hand-in-hand with performance and commercial value.
Stephen has travelled extensively over the years, both for his own self-development as well as for clients. In addition to hands-on work Stephen offers a wide range of consultation services. He has visited over a dozen countries at the bequest of clients, including delivering a series of lectures and practical workshops in Japan for the JRA, JBBA and the Japanese Farriery School.
As an individual Stephen is unrelenting in his quest for knowledge and self improvement. His passion for the horse and commitment to his clients never dims.
The Ashmount Team
Ashmount Forge has a small but select team of four fully qualified farriers. Additionally two experienced horse handlers are employed along with a secretary.
In 2010 Stephen met his future wife Alison with whom he credits for the much of the success and professionalism of the business. Ashmount Forge is first and foremost team, and its success is reliant on the hard work and dedication of each and every individual.
