Stephen Kielt is a practising farrier with over 25 years’ experience, based in Newmarket since 2003 and working exclusively within the Thoroughbred industry. His career has been shaped by a commitment to long-term relationships, technical excellence, and the belief that consistent, considered hoof care is fundamental to both soundness and performance.

Stephen began his training at the age of 16, leaving home to attend a pre-farriery course in Scotland before completing a four-year apprenticeship with renowned Irish farrier Jim Rankin. In 2003 he graduated with a Diploma of the Worshipful Company of Farriers and later that year accepted a position with O.A. Curtis & Sons in Newmarket, working under Dr Simon Curtis and Mark Curtis. The scale, depth, and tradition of the Thoroughbred industry in Newmarket quickly became central to his professional life, and a planned return to Ireland never materialised.

In 2007 Stephen established his own practice, Ashmount Forge, in Newmarket, where he has remained ever since, building a reputation for stability, professionalism, and high-level service across training yards, studs, and rehabilitation facilities. In 2022 he was awarded 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’s approach to farriery is holistic and evidence-based. He believes in selecting the method and materials most appropriate to each individual horse, whether barefoot or shod, and in balancing performance, soundness, and long-term hoof integrity. He is a strong advocate of safe, responsible farriery, and of working in close collaboration with veterinary surgeons, trainers, and management teams to achieve the best outcomes for the horse.

Alongside his day-to-day work, Stephen is deeply committed to continuing education and professional exchange. He has travelled extensively for both study and client work, and has delivered lectures and practical workshops internationally, including engagements with the JRA, JBBA, and the Japanese Farriery School. These experiences are as much about learning as they are about teaching, and they continue to inform how Ashmount Forge operates at home and abroad.

At the heart of Stephen’s work is a respect for the horse and for the people who care for them. He values trust, discretion, and long-term partnership, and takes pride in being a consistent presence within the teams he works with — supporting their success quietly and professionally, year after year.