JD and Ben take over the reins of the Hayes family empire

LINDSAY Park Racing has always been a family affair. It’s not going to change, as David Hayes’ youngest son JD is about to join his brother Ben as the stable’s co trainers, following the departure of their cousin Tom Dabernig. After having been under the direction of two Hayes generations, namely Colin and David Hayes, it’s time for the new generation to take the lead. “JD is 25 and still has to pass several tests and other requirements to become a horse trainer and will then join our partnership on August 1, at the beginning of the upcoming racing season,” Ben Hayes said. “Our cousin Tom had been in the industry for 25 years and decided he needed a change of scenery and to have more time with his family. “Racing has always been in our blood since my late grandfather Colin and my father David." Colin Hayes commenced his training career in 1947 in Adelaide and won his first Adelaide Trainers’ Premiership in 1955-56 from his ‘Surefoot Lodge’ stables at Semaphore in South Australia. In a 43 year career he trained 5333 winners including 524 group or listed winners. Last but not least David Hayes won the Melbourne and Adelaide Trainers Premierships in each of his first five seasons. David Hayes left Australia last year for Hong Kong, leaving Lindsay Park in the hands of his offspring. “We are a very close family; we get along very well thanks to my mother Prue and my dad David," Ben Hayes said. “I’m very excited to take over Lindsay Park with my brother by my side.” In an interview with RSN’s Racing Pulse, JD Hayes said he had been groomed for the role over the last three years and was looking forward to it. “Family is very important to us,” JD Hayes said.