The racing fraternity was caught off guard this week with the shock announcement that Tom Dabernig was leaving the Lindsay Park training operation. Tom will exit the partnership with Ben Hayes at the end of the season on July 31 and plans to establish his own stable. It ends a 25 year association that Dabernig has had with Lindsay Park.
Ben Hayes will now be joined at Lindsay Park by his brother JD Hayes, while their father David continues to train in Hong Kong. TRL will continue to monitor the situation at Lindsay Park and we will keep Vic Husslers owners informed of developments.
The Hayes family’s training tradition is set to continue under the next generation of leadership with JD Hayes (aged 26), David’s youngest son, applying to join elder brother Ben in the training partnership from the commencement of the 2021-2022 racing season, while Tom Dabernig will step away and establish his own training business.
Just as Colin Hayes handed the reins to son David at a similar age, Ben will take on the lead trainer role handed on from Tom, and JD is in the process of obtaining his trainer’s licence after seven years working full time under David, Tom, and Ben in the business.
Importantly, our loyal and long-term team of dedicated staff at Lindsay Park remain the same providing solid support to the operation as has always been the case allowing business as usual.
Ben has been a training partner with David and then Tom since 2016 and is primed and eager to take the reins of the training operation. The time is right for JD to apply to be elevated into the role of co-trainer. JD has been groomed for the role and has a comprehensive understanding of the day-to-day running of the business and will be an asset in this exciting new chapter.
“After five years as co-trainer at Lindsay Park, I feel naturally very excited to take this next step in my career, and just the same about welcoming my brother into the partnership. Lindsay Park Racing is in my blood and I am so passionate about continuing its reputation and striving for success at every level. Tom’s own family’s future is his priority and he is looking forward to the next phase of his career and their lives” says Ben Hayes.
Tom added, “I am excited that after 25 years of service at Lindsay Park I have decided to pursue an independent training career. It is a decision that I have not taken lightly, and I am extremely thankful for the opportunities that the Hayes family have afforded me, and I have thoroughly enjoyed working with all the Hayes family. I would especially like to thank all the dedicated Lindsay Park team and their network of loyal owners. I wish Ben and JD and the Lindsay Park team all the success for the future,” says Tom Dabernig.
Lindsay Park Racing has a proud history as a premier training operation for more than 74 years and this new leadership is set to carry on the tradition.