ABOUT DAVID VANDYKE
David Vandyke is a four-time Group 1 winning trainer who has established a reputation as one of the best horsemen in the country.
He has not only achieved winners at the highest level but also consistently produced one of the best strike rates in Australian racing. Take a look at the numbers below over the past decade, which are a true testament to David's consistency, systems and work ethic.
David has been based on the beautiful Sunshine Coast in Queensland since 2016 after deciding to move his training base from Warwick Farm, Sydney.
The move to QLD was based on a combination of industry and lifestyle factors and has proven a huge success with the emergence of stars of the turf such as YANKEE ROSE, ALLIGATOR BLOOD and GYPSY GODDESS.
David also has a good history of improving tried horses. The trainer’s results come from a deep understanding of each horse as an individual, combined with dedication and planning.
David Vandyke - The Gift
WHERE IT ALL BEGAN
The success of David’s career is built upon a strong foundation of working through every facet of the breeding and horse racing industry, locally and internationally.
He started as a trainer at Kembla Grange at 21 years-of-age where he won the local Training Premiership in 1989 as a 23-year-old. This title was under his original name of David Hayes, he changed his surname to his mother’s maiden name Vandyke in 2010 to avoid confusion with fellow trainer David Hayes, son of Colin Hayes.
David’s interest in thoroughbred racing was sparked as a young boy through his family’s breeding and racing interests. After attending Scots College, Sydney, he learnt his craft by working with leading Randwick trainers Neville Begg and Les Bridge. He also worked in Japan for 12 months, Churchill Downs (Kentucky) and in New Zealand for Graeme Rogerson and Laurie Laxon.
David is also a skilled horse-breaker. He cultivated these skills as a stud hand at Segenhoe Stud and Roseneath Stud. After leaving his first stint as a trainer he was responsible for horse breaking at Itsuwa Farm, Hokkaido, Japan in the early 1990s.
Upon his return to Australia, David helped his friend Tim Martin establish his stable at Rosehill before working with Sydney's leading trainer Chris Waller for 3 years as his Office Manager.
After leaving Chris Waller he started his own successful business, Animalcare, with Dr Tim Roberts, supplying animal healthcare products. Four years into the business, his innate desire to train could no longer be ignored.
He took his licence back out in February 2010 and since then has won an array of Group and Stakes races with the likes of Yankee Rose, Lamasery, Arabian Gold, Maurus, Sir John Hawkwood, Look To The Stars, Miss Marx, Cosmic Cube, Choice Words, Less Is More and Prince Cheri. David has also maintained an excellent strike rate.
Lamasery was his first horse, since returning to training, who was purchased for $10,000 by his friends Sam and Mel Mayer. The gelding notched up 11 wins from 25 starts to earn $630,450 in prize money. He won four Stakes races including his gallant victory in the Group 2 Hill Stakes at Randwick.
Our team
WENDY MAYBURY
Office Manager
Wendy has been a loyal member of the team for over a decade.
She has been responsible for the smooth running of the administration side of the business from administration to accounts.