MICHAEL HICKMOTT – A Dynamic Trainer
Michael Hickmott is a shining example of the evolution of the new breed of young Australian horsemen and women emerging into the forefront of today’s racing industry. Armed with education and strong foundation expertise, young professionals like Michael will guide our sport into the frontiers of tomorrow.
Typical of his horse husbandry upbringing and his acknowledgement and understanding that the foundation of success is derived from the importance of the hard work required when being a “hands-on” trainer, it’s the other additional skills Michael possesses that compliment and magnify his success. Attention to detail matched with a business minded approach, careful observation and record keeping, ability to analyse data, results and outcomes that ultimately drives improved performance and reduces or eliminates risk.
About Michael Hickmott
It was an inevitable career step following in the footsteps of his father John Hickmott, a successful trainer for over 40 years in Victoria and South Australia.
Michael’s older brother Robert Hickmott is a multiple Group 1 winning trainer. He trained the winners of the Melbourne Cup, Sydney Cup & Caulfield Cup and significant other black-type races as the head trainer of the Lloyd Williams Racing operation in Victoria. Robert branched out on his own in 2018.
Robert Hickmott, Michael Hickmott, John Hickmott celebrate after Robert trained Almadin wins Melbourne Cup
Michael is a young man with ambition and has a fresh approach to his racing career. He possesses a business philosophy to achieve maximum returns for his owners’ investment in thoroughbreds.
Michael isn’t the type of trainer who simply wants to race horses. Careful planning and race selection ensures the best placement of owners’ horses, allowing maximum earning opportunities, therefore making racing both affordable and enjoyable.
Michael is transparent with open communication to his owners.
His progressive insight is appealing. His motivation is that of a businessman who identifies with the role as a business owner equally as well as being a career trainer.
Michael looks forward to his future in racing and providing a unique service to his owners.
Michael’s Training Career
Michael acknowledges he has been extremely fortunate to have learnt his craft being surrounded by outstanding horsemen within his immediate family. Growing up and being actively involved within a family racing stable environment had provided a wonderful platform.
Michael learnt early the importance of being “hands-on” and the “Golden Rule” of providing value to his owners whilst supplying the best possible care and attention to the training of horses under his care.
As a teenager working as an assistant trainer for his father John, Michael wisely chose to undertake and complete a Real Estate qualification at the Real Estate Institute of South Australia. Michael took employment with LJ Hooker as a sales consultant and auctioneer. Soon after, he was offered the opportunity to go to Darwin with LJHooker which he embraced.
Settling in Darwin, Michael’s DNA was calling so he decided to embark on his own training career.
In August 2006, Michael was granted his trainers license in Darwin. Michael was happy working his small stable of horses of a morning before heading to his real estate job during the day and returning to the stables after his day job.
His first full season in 2006/07 he trained 7 winners.
The next 2007/08 season he trained 11 winners including the feature $200,000 Darwin Cup with General Market.
His third season of 2008/09 at only 21 years of age, he trained 23 winners.
Michael returns Activation to the winners circle
To start the 2009/10 season he trained his second Darwin Cup winner Activation.
In 2011 opportunity presented itself “back home” in South Australia and after the Darwin Cup carnival in August, Michael chose to return to his family ties at Murray Bridge – 50 minutes outside Adelaide.
It was here that Michael decided to become a full time trainer.
In April 2013, at the age of 24, Michael reached an important personal milestone, becoming the youngest trainer in Australian racing history to train 100 winners.
Michael celebrates as Canny Ballad wins the Darwin Cup
In August 2016, Michael achieved another milestone, becoming the most successful trainer in the history of the Darwin Cup when he won the race for the third time.
He won the race with CANNY BALLAD, having won the race in 2007 with
GENERAL MARKET and in 2009 with ACTIVATION.
Having received such a fabulous foundation learning from his father and brother, Michael wanted to be assured that his thirst for knowledge and advancement would continue. He surrounded himself with a network of industry experts, forging excellent relationships and developing a significant network of high level industry contacts throughout the length and breadth of the racing services community, both in Australia and Asia.
This network includes Australia’s leading veterinarians, equine nutritionists, administrators, form analysts and the media, allowing Michael to gain access to expert advice to every aspect of the industry. This allows him to engage with the best possible information flow, outcomes and services for his horses and therefore - his owners.
Purchase and Sales
Michael attends all major sales throughout Australia and New Zealand. He actively buys quality stock to race in his stable or to educate and trade through to Asia. Michael also prepares yearlings for the ready-to-run 2yo sales.
Asian Racing
Michael offers a full range of services for his owners. From selection and purchase to sales and export. The purchase, development and education of young horses is vital for success in Asia and Michael’s record is exceptional with the quality of stock that leaves his stable for careers in Asia.
Racetrack Results as at 30 June 2018
Career Results:
Starters 958: 144 Wins (15%), 258 Placings (27%)
Past 12 Months Results:
Starters 105: 16 Wins (15%), 14 x 2nds, 13 x 3rds (26%)
Honour Roll - Top 10 Best Horses to date
CANNY BALLAD – Darwin Cup
ACTIVATION – Darwin Cup
GENERAL MARKET – Darwin Cup
ALWAYS DISCREET – Gr2 placed & LR placed
MULDER
LIEDER
HILLFIRE
GOING GAGA
AGARKAR
LET GO JOHNNY
Training Facilities
Michael and his wife Jade have invested wisely into their 5 acre property located a 5 minute drive from the current Murray Bridge racetrack.
A showpiece stable complex with new facilities including 15 new boxes, an Irongate dry walker machine, hydraulic treadmill, sand-roll, day-yards are complimented by a quality horse truck and floats.
In the near future the new Murray Bridge racetrack will open which will see the South Australian racing spotlight focus on this new racing environment. These new training facilities will offer outstanding training zones for local trainers.
Dynamic Syndications
Previously we had Michael train a horse for Team Dynamic named ROUGHLY who we asked him to take to Darwin for the carnival. Michael trained the mare to perfection and she won on the Saturday and then backed up 2 days later on the Cup Day Monday and won again !
Roughly returns a winner on the Saturday
Roughly winning again on Cup Dam 2016
We are delighted that in 2018 we commenced supporting Michael Hickmott with more Dynamic Syndications horses.
Continuing with our philosophy of backing bright, talented, rising young trainers to take our business into tomorrow, Michael Hickmott compliments our Team Dynamic approach.
Michael has been known to the Team at Dynamic for many years and we have watched and admired his dedication to training and his skillset.
Adam Watt with the Melbourne Cup
Michael and Adam Watt at Dynamic Syndications have developed a friendship and good working relationship which is set to carry forward into a successful future for our owners.