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Ad Will Hayes and strapper Christine Mitchell pose with Redkirk Warrior after he won the 2017 Group 1 Newmarket Handicap at Flemington. (Sarah Ebbett/Racing Photos)

Will Hayes to join brothers as Lindsay Park trainer

25 July 2023 • Written by Brad Bishop – Racing & Sports

Former AFL footballer becomes seventh member of the family to be a licensed trainer.

The Hayes family will have another member operate under the Lindsay Park banner from the start of the 2023/24 racing season with Will Hayes to join his brothers in a training partnership.

Lindsay Park announced the appointment on Monday morning with the 28-year-old will join his twin JD and their older brother Ben as a training triumvirate from August 1.

"To join the partnership with my brothers and become a horse trainer is something I've wanted to do since I was a child," Hayes said.

"I'm very grateful and well aware of how fortunate I am to be joining my family's well-established business."

Hayes will become the eighth licensed trainer, and seventh member of the family, to operate under the Lindsay Park banner.

Colin Hayes started the dynasty almost 80 years ago with his sons David and Peter, their nephew Tom Dabernig and David's sons Ben and JD having all spent time at the helm.

Tony McEvoy also had a stint in charge after Peter's sudden death in 2001.

Will Hayes had been working in the background of the operation while embarking on an AFL career, which included stints at the Western Bulldogs and Carlton, and has been an assistant trainer at Lindsay Park's Flemington and Euroa stables for the past two years.

(Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Hayes believes his time as a professional athlete will assist him in his training career.

"My time at the AFL improved my understanding of sports science, especially around athlete load, recovery and management to achieve peak performance. I can see how this is interchangeable between human athletes and thoroughbreds," Hayes said.

"I'm incredibly thankful to my family for affording me the opportunity to pursue all my dreams to date, including my long-awaited journey as a professional horse trainer."

Will joins the team after a successful season for Lindsay Park, which counted All-Star Mile success and a second-straight Doncaster Mile win with Mr Brightside and Blue Diamond victory with Little Brose among 153 wins with a week remaining in the season.

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