Steward thanks king partaking in race (9)
I believe the answer is:
caretaker
'steward' is the definition.
(I know that caretaker is a type of steward)
'thanks king partaking in race' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite understand how this works, but
'thanks' could be 'ta' (UK informal version of 'thank you') and 'ta' is found in the answer.
'king' could be 'er' (abbreviation for Edward Rex, various English kings) and 'er' is located in the answer.
an anagram of 'race' is 'care' which is within the answer.
A single letter 'k' remains which might be clued in a way I don't see.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for caretaker that I've seen before include "Warden" , "exercising temporary control" , "Janitor" , "Custodian, keeper" , "Person in temporary charge" .)