After 33 years as a member of the Hayes-Lindsay Park racing stable, including several as a trainer, Tony McEvoy will strike out on his own next week but he won't be going anywhere after buying a portion of the South Australian institution.
Backed by Yarrawonga businessman Wayne Mitchell, McEvoy has bought the 93 hectares of land at Lindsay Park known as Raceside and from Monday when it will become known Kildalton Park, he'll begin training in his own right under the McEvoy Mitchell Racing banner.
Having spent time during his long association with the Hayes stable firstly as a rider and then foreman before assuming head training duties following the death of Peter Hayes in 2001, McEvoy was in charge for four years before David Hayes returned from Hong Kong to head operations.
But with Hayes now deciding to move his operation from South Australia to Euroa in country Victoria, and the land at Lindsay Park put on the market as a result, McEvoy leapt at the opportunity to establish his own operation in familiar surrounds.
"My good friend Wayne Mitchell from Yarrawonga has acquired the 93ha parcel of Lindsay Park known as Raceside, which boasts the training mecca established by the late CS Hayes in the 1960s," McEvoy said.
"Wayne is a well-respected businessman with a long-time passion for racing."
"I'm just thrilled that when David Hayes put Raceside on the market, Wayne and I saw it as a fantastic opportunity."
"My wife Jo and our children, Eliza and Calvin, are also very excited."
"I'm confident I will be a leading trainer once again and I'll be offering South Australian breeders and owners a fresh new alternative based at one of the great training facilities in the country."
"It's been an incredible journey for me, 33 years at Lindsay Park working with the Hayes dynasty."
Hayes meanwhile is thrilled that McEvoy - who has 930 winners and five premierships in his long career including 2003 Cox Plate winner Fields of Omagh - will be the one to take over the property.
"I could not have dreamt of a more wonderful outcome when I put Raceside on the market after deciding to move my training operations from Angaston to Euroa in Victoria," Hayes said.
"I'm not exaggerating when I say that Tony as a rider, foreman and trainer has had a hand in the majority of Lindsay Park's winners."
"To think that one of my great friends is leaving the Hayes business after 30 years and remaining on the home property to continue training is a fantastic outcome."
"I wish Tony, Jo and Wayne Mitchell every success."