ON the eve of the 2023/24 racing season, Lindsay Park Racing has announced Will Hayes as incoming co-trainer, joining brothers Ben and JD at the helm of one of the country’s premier racing stables. While Ben and JD have been in partnership for three years, Will says “to join the partnership with my brothers and become a licensed horse trainer in my own right is something I've wanted to do since I was a child". Having dedicated much of his early adulthood fulfilling a career in the AFL with the Western Bulldogs and Carlton, at the end of 2022 Hayes made the fulltime move back to Euroa. When asked if his career as a high-level athlete would assist him as a racehorse trainer Hayes talked about his time in the AFL. "My time at the AFL improved my understanding of sports science, especially around athlete load, recovery and management to achieve peak performance," Will said. "I can see how this is interchangeable between human athletes and thoroughbreds." Hayes has worked behind the scenes at the stable since 2021, assisting Ben and JD in their planning while also riding trackwork and completing general farm routines. Given this, the stable firmly believes Will’s transition will be seamless. In brother and now co-trainer JD’s opinion, “Will's work ethic and attention to detail along with his ability to create a team environment” will only fine tune an already well-oiled machine". Lindsay Park amassed more than 150 winners in the calendar year just gone which was headlined by Mr Brightside's Doncaster Mile. The Hayes camp is positioned in second place on the Victorian trainer’s premiership behind only Ciaron Maher and David Eustace, while sitting comfortably above champion Australian trainers by the likes of Mick Price and Michael Kent jnr, Peter Moodey, and Trent Bussutin and Natalie Young. This puts Lindsay Park right at the top of the Australian racing echelon which can only be predicted to strengthen with Will’s appointment. The stable believes their young horses currently undergoing orientation hold the key to future success with multiple young prospects catching the attention of all involved. Currently the stable is headlined by star middle distance runner Mr Brightside, while Mimi’s Award, Lady of Honour, Tijuana and So Si Bon round out the fleet of other recognisible runners. In his downtime since making the move back to Euroa, Will is putting together an illustrious season for the Euroa Magpies, averaging just under 40 disposals and 1.5 goals a game. This has him placed as a red-hot favorite to take out the Morrison Medal league best and fairest. Currently steering Euroa to its first premiership in 33 years remains his focus, however, when spring racing begins, Hayes will shift his focus and become fully immersed in obtaining Group 1 glory.
