Michael Hawkes
As a young man, Michael began working after school and at weekends with his father at the old Epsom stables in Melbourne.
He briefly flirted with the idea of becoming a mechanic but followed his heart – and family- into a career in racing.
His education continued in Sydney when his father took up the role of head trainer for the Inghams at Warwick Farm. "On the job experience with Dad, being one of the best ever trainers, is a huge advantage".
When the position of foreman at the satellite stable in Brisbane became vacant, the then-21 year old Michael leapt at the chance. In nine full seasons Michael proved his maturity and love of working with horses, and was instrumental in the stable securing two Brisbane trainers premierships, finishing runner-up five times, with a third and a fifth place to round it off.
Some of Michael's best remembered wins in Brisbane include a quinella in the Stradbroke Handicap with Crawl and Hire, two Queensland Derby wins with Freemason and Toulouse Lautrec, QTC Sires Produce Stakes winner Ambulance, and Freemason in the TJ Smith Classic.
When the family established a training partnership in 2008, Michael returned to Sydney to take charge of Rosehill Gardens, working alongside his father.
Michael and his brother Wayne, are consummate media performers on radio and television, their eloquent, intelligent and professional comments showcase Team Hawkes and their runners.
But Michael and Wayne are both quick to acknowledge their father’s extraordinary contributions to their lives and training careers.