Cover image courtesy of Racing Photos
Saturday’s win by Killiana (Brazen Beau) in the $250,000 VOBIS Gold Rush at Bendigo marked the stable’s 15th juvenile victory for the season, including 11 of them at metropolitan level. The Thoroughbred Report caught up with co-trainer Ben Hayes to discuss Lindsay Park’s approach to preparing juveniles and the systems that underpin their continued success.
The yearling selection process: Where it begins
When asked about how the team selects their yearlings, Hayes explained that their approach is relatively straightforward. The stable has a clear type they aim to focus on, and bloodstock agent Dean Hawthorne has been a key figure in that process in recent years. Hayes expands;
“The whole process does start at the sales. We have a particular type that we like to try and buy, and for the last four or five years, we have been working with Dean Hawthorne. He's the bloodstock agent we employ to help us select yearlings, and he has a really good idea of what type of horse we like to buy.
“Typically, if you look through our history, we try to buy them between $100,000 and $250,000. We find, for our stable and our clients, that's probably the easiest kind of horses that we can look to sell.”
Ben Hayes | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
“So we try to buy value, and we really like horses with length, good hindquarter, and that are really strong through the hocks. They're probably the three main things (we look for).”
While they don’t necessarily buy horses purely as 2-year-old types, the team remains open-minded about the physical attributes of each individual. As Hayes explains:
“You can be forgiving on size, and you're basically just looking for an athlete. And once you get that, you're in the hands of the horse. If they're fast, they're fast. You've got to be guided by the young horse and let it grow up.”
“You can be forgiving on size, and you're basically just looking for an athlete. And once you get that, you're in the hands of the horse. If they're fast, they're fast. You've got to be guided by the young horse and let it grow up.” - Ben Hayes
The early education process – it’s essential
The Hayes brothers have benefitted from an outstanding grounding in the racing industry, learning from some of the biggest names in the game. Ben Hayes was quick to point out the influence of their father, David Hayes, who is once again training in Hong Kong and currently prepares one of the world’s most exciting sprinters, Ka Ying Rising (NZ) (Shamexpress {NZ}).
“We've learned a lot from our father, David Hayes. He was very successful as well with 2-year-olds. And I think the breaking in is very important (to get right), so we have outsourced the breaking in. Now, our breaker, Sean, does a really good job, and when they come to us, we just find them very straightforward.
David Hayes | Image courtesy of The Hong Kong Jockey Club
“They're well-educated horses, and we then basically work out if they've got early speed when they're young, and if they don't? You give them time. The trick is not to push them.”
When asked to expand on what happens after the early education phase and how young horses are introduced to the stable environment, Hayes explained:
“Generally, they get broken in, have a little break, and then come to us for what we call the orientation prep.
“So you're basically teaching them how to swim and go on the treadmill – it's an educational prep. You're not actually checking for ability; you're just getting them to be comfortable and relaxed in the training environment.
“You're not actually checking for ability; you're just getting them to be comfortable and relaxed in the training environment.” - Ben Hayes
“Once they do that and they pass – some horses don't always get through the whole orientation prep (the first time) just because they're immature – then they go back out to the paddock, then continue the process (coming in and out of the stables). They will tell you when they're ready to go to the races, so you just build on them in every preparation.”
Given the scale of their operation, maintaining consistency in early education might seem challenging, but Hayes believes their system is now well refined:
“We've got really good models now. Our staff know our systems, and they do a good job, and that's part of our success. We have a great team behind us who educate the young horses well. And I think the trick is, with young horses, you (have to) know when to turn them out and know when to push or when to back off them.”
“We have a great team behind us who educate the young horses well. And I think the trick is, with young horses, you (have to) know when to turn them out and know when to push or when to back off them.” - Ben Hayes
What to be wary of with younger horses
When it comes to young horses, a wide range of challenges can arise. From physical development and mental immaturity to fatigue, or simply struggling to adapt, there’s always something to monitor closely during their early stages.
When asked how the team manages this, especially with so many young horses working each day, Hayes said the key lies in their hands-on approach and well-structured environment;
“I think that's another advantage (of our setup); a lot of their education is done at our facility, and we can really make them well-grounded horses. There are always the naughty ones, but I'd say 90 per cent are very straightforward. If they're naughty, we're able to get on top of it straight away as young horses and try to stamp out those bad traits that horses can get.”
Lindsay Park Stables | Image courtesy of Lindsay Park Racing
One thing Hayes was keen to emphasise is how significantly young horses can change, especially as they grow:
“Something else that is important is just knowing when they're growing. Sometimes, you can get them in a growing stage, and the horse just isn't ready to be pushed, so you just pull the pin. Just give them time – which is the cheapest thing in training.
“Horses are like young kids at school. There's those big kids that grow really quick and are really dominant as young kids. And then the horses that you give time, they grow up too.”
“Horses are like young kids at school. There's those big kids that grow really quick and are really dominant as young kids. And then the horses that you give time, they grow up too.” - Ben Hayes
Another important part of their process revolves around helping young horses become comfortable in a stable environment. While they’re in work, Lindsay Park places an emphasis on getting them used to being boxed as part of their ongoing education.
“While they're in preparation, we like to try and keep them in the boxes, and get them comfortable in the environment. When they're really, really young, it's not really safe to put them out in the daytime. You can do that when they're more educated and have had a couple of preparations.
“With the young, young horses very early on, perhaps you just keep them happy in the box and you just keep educating them until you think they're safe to go out and have a pick in the paddock. I find that really helps horses to become calm and get in a good routine.”
“With the young, young horses very early on, perhaps you just keep them happy in the box and you just keep educating them until you think they're safe to go out and have a pick in the paddock.” - Ben Hayes
The asset that is Lindsay Park
Lindsay Park remains one of the most valuable assets in the stable’s success, offering a diverse range of tracks and facilities ideal for educating young horses. When asked whether all their juveniles jump out at the property or how that process is managed, Hayes explained:
“We're able to do (jump-outs) over all distances. It's an advantage that you, don't have to expose them if they're not ready, and we can make that decision before we take them off the property. Every horse who goes to the system starts at Euroa, and then once we're happy (with their progress), they go to our other training facilities.
Lindsay Park Track | Image courtesy of Lindsay Park Racing
“Once they're educated, they generally get to our other training facilities, and they don't act like children.”
The flexibility and self-contained nature of the Lindsay Park system allows the team to assess each horse’s readiness without external pressure—ensuring the young horses are confident and capable before progressing further in their careers.
Picking up Ballymore Stables
Lindsay Park is humbled and honoured to be entrusted with continuing the late Michael Moroney’s Ballymore Stables legacy, operating out of the iconic Chiquita Lodge at Flemington.
Hayes shared his thoughts on the handover and what lies ahead:
Ballymore Stables | Image courtesy of Ballymore Stables
“We don't take over until the beginning of May, but they'll be slowly coming through the system. They have a lot of young raced horses and a lot of really top quality stock. We're absolutely blessed to be thought of as the trainers to take over, and we'll do our best to keep Mike’s (Mike Moroney) legacy going and hopefully get some good wins with these horses.
“We'll get a better idea of the numbers (closer to the time), but basically they will come into our system and we'll get as many as we can back to the farm, show them the facilities, which is quite often good for horses.
“A change of environment really stimulates them and hopefully we can get a nice result with a couple of them.
Michael Moroney | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
“It's really exciting and (we're) looking forward to working with Anthony Feroce (Moroney's racing manager) and just working out what we'll do going into the spring. They've obviously already got plans (for the spring), so we will work with Anthony and see what we do with them.”
Reflecting on this season’s success
It’s been a standout season for the Lindsay Park team, particularly with their 2-year-olds. The stable has recorded 15 juvenile wins this season, 11 of those at metropolitan level.
Among nine individual juvenile winners, the standout performer has been the sharp colt Shining Smile (Spirit Of Boom), who has notched four victories—three of them at Listed level—winning the Blue Diamond Preview (c&g), Talindert Stakes, and the Festival Stakes, the Group 3 winner Tycoon Star (Written Tycoon), and the Listed winners Scenic Point (Written Tycoon), Miss Celine (Magnus), and Gin Spirit (Spirit Of Boom).
While their juvenile record is exceptional, the stable’s overall success across the board is just as impressive. They currently lead the Victorian Trainers Premiership with 167 wins—18 ahead of Ciaron Maher—and sit fourth nationally with 176.5 total wins.
Shining Smile | Image courtesy of Racing Photos
Their international presence has also been felt, with Here To Shock (NZ) (Shocking) winning the G1 BCD Group Sprint at Te Rapa in New Zealand. That international momentum may continue, with nine-time Group 1 winner Mr Brightside (NZ) (Bullbars) set to compete at Group 1 level in Hong Kong on April 27.
Reflecting on the 2-year-old success specifically so far, Hayes said:
“I think as we've had success over recent years, we've had more and more people back us and give us better quality (horses) as well, and it's reflecting on the results. It's been a good year. You have got to have the ability, though. Some years, like the year before, we didn't really have many top line 2-year-olds – that was just the way it was – but this year we've got quite a few. I think we've won seven or eight stakes races.”
Here To Shock (NZ) | Image courtesy of Kenton Wright (Race Images)
When asked how much of an impact placement plays in juvenile success, Hayes added:
“You have an idea which horses you think will get to the big races – you're not always right. We're very lucky that we have our father, who was very good (with 2-year-olds) and we have the facilities to be able to get them to the races.”
Killiana, the latest young gun
The most recent juvenile winner to emerge from the Lindsay Park system is Killiana (Brazen Beau), who claimed a gritty victory in the $250,000 VOBIS Gold Rush at Bendigo last Saturday. It was her second win from just three starts, having also won on debut at Bendigo, before finishing a brave fourth behind Mcgaw (I Am Immortal) in the $1 million VOBIS Showdown.
Her Bendigo performance was particularly impressive—caught three-wide throughout, she showed determination to tough it out and defeat Salty Pearl (Tagaloa) by 0.46l.
Killiana as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
“It was very good. We have a lot of loyal clients in the horse, and when you get the result and win a big VOBIS race like that, it's always such a reward for the owners,” Hayes said.
“Everyone always gets a big thrill, especially with her being a VOBIS horse and by Brazen Beau, who has been very good to us. We've had a couple of good Brazen Beau’s and she's (Killiana) one of them.
“She looks like she's going to be a really good 1000 to 1100-metre horse, so there's lots of options for her going forward, which is good, and she's a nice, sound horse with a good attitude, which is important.
“She's (Killiana) a nice, sound horse with a good attitude, which is important.” - Ben Hayes
“If we're happy with her over the next week, and her trackwork is good, there's another VOBIS race over the Warrnambool Carnival called the VOBIS Gold Strike. We'd head in that direction, and I think she would be very hard to beat. It's over the 1000 metres, too, which will be even better for her again – she's very sharp.”
