‘Not having me around has helped’: How David Hayes’ Hong Kong move catapulted sons into spotlight ahead of Stradbroke Handicap tilt

After beginning on shaky ground, the Hayes brothers have forged their own reputation and have emerged from the shadow of their Hall of Fame father David ahead of the Stradbroke Handicap on Saturday.

Trenton Akers

2 min read

June 9, 2024 - 1:14PM

Will Hayes, Ben Hayes and JD Hayes have a chance to win Lindsay Park’s first Stradbroke. Picture: Scott Barbour—Racing Photos via Getty Images.

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Hall of Fame trainer David Hayes believes his departure from Australian racing has enabled his sons to walk taller as they attempt to win the race their famous father never could in the Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap at Eagle Farm on Saturday.

It is hard to forge your own path in any sport as the son of a gun, however Hayes said his move to Hong Kong has enabled Ben, JD and Will to prove the doubters wrong under their own name.

The brothers have Here To Shock in the $3m Stradbroke on Saturday, which David Hayes says is a result of patient race planning.

“For their own personal reputations, not having me around has only helped them,” Hayes told Racenet from Hong Kong.

“The success they are having, they get all the credit for, and rightfully so.

READ | Likely field, jockeys: $3 million Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap

“You look at Ben, he trained 14 Group 1 winners with me and Tom (Dabernig), but when they won the Doncaster Mile (2022), they said it was his first.

“He had won Caulfield Cups, Blue Diamonds and a few Newmarkets.

“It is just the way it is, having me and Tom leave, they are getting the credit now.”

With two Doncaster Mile’s under their belt, the Hayes brothers have become masters of Group 1 handicaps, which David says is a result of correctly placing their horses in the right races.

David Hayes won 14 Group 1’s in partnership with his son Ben. Picture: Michael Klein.

“It is a product of going through your classes correctly, so when you get to the big Group 1 handicap, you are well weighted,” he said.

“They have been very patient and not overraced their horses, it is happening time and time again.

“They put their horses in the worst company and themselves in the best. They have placed their horses well and got a good strike rate with some good wins, now they are getting horses in good races.

READ | Benchmark battler to Oaks champ: How Maher pulled up filly's Socks for Group 1

“When you are young it is very tempting to put your horses in big races, but it takes maturity to pick the right races they can win.”

With very few winners in Queensland, David Hayes said the Sunshine State has emerged as a genuine carnival for Victorian trainers with added prizemoney and firmer tracks providing a good second-tier product.

“I don’t think I ever had a Stradbroke horse, unless there was one with a setback, I never went to Queensland really apart from the Magic Millions,” he said.

“The carnival is different now, the tracks are great, and it is an attractive option.”

Originally published as ‘Not having me around has helped’: How David Hayes’ Hong Kong move catapulted sons into spotlight ahead of Stradbroke Handicap tilt