James Healy aiming for success with Sunshine Coast racing stable

Former Maher and Eustace strapper James Healy is eager to get his first full racing season under his belt as he faces the challenges of running his new Sunshine Coast stable.

New Sunshine Coast racing trainer James Healy. Picture: Patrick Woods.

Rising Queensland racing trainer James Healy is eager to get his first full racing season under his belt as he faces the challenges of running his new Sunshine Coast stable.

The 26-year-old, who began in the industry working weekends for Liam Birchley, started full-time after finishing school for a few different Brisbane trainers before going to Melbourne to work under Ciaron Maher and David Eustace.

Healy said his 3.5 years under the leading duo was a great learning experience.

“Working for Ciaron and David it couldn’t really get much better, I learnt so much under them and it was a really good experience all around,” he said.

Hailing from a racing family, with his grandfather a trainer, uncle a jockey and father an avid racing follower, Healy said he always wanted to become a trainer.

New Sunshine Coast racing trainer James Healy. Picture: Patrick Woods.

“I moved back to Queensland when Covid-19 was around and started training in December, 2020 on the Sunshine Coast,” he said.

“Obviously getting to work with those high quality horses in Melbourne it was hard coming back here because you don't have that same cattle but you’ve just got to keep working hard, keep battling away and the luck will come even though I haven't had too much of it to start.”

The stable’s first winner came in July, 2022 at Corbould Park through Critical Thinker and Healy has since started this season with two placings from three starts.

“Things are starting to look up now, I’ve got nine horses in work which is good and have got some good clients that really back me,” he said

“I’m always looking for more horses but I’m really happy with my team at the moment, we’ve got a few up and racing, a few ready to trial and they’re all going pretty good without any luck.”

Gee whiz it’s been a battle with this bloke. Happy for the new owners to get the job done today. Onwards and upwards https://t.co/7RafCLlNCL

— James Healy Racing (@jhealyracing) July 6, 2022

Healy said he still had more to learn but the efforts and advice of trainers Ciaron and David as well as Dennis Beriman and David Vandyke were a massive help.

“Early on I was my own worst enemy at times but I’ve got the rest of my life to be doing this so I’m not in any rush as patience is a massive thing in racing and it’s free,” he said with a laugh.

“It’s a battle, it’s hard work but I wouldn’t be doing it if I didn’t love it.

“As long as the horses are happy and running well that’s the main thing but a few more winners and getting my strike rate up would be good too.”

Healy said runners Mio Sorrento at Doomben on Wednesday and Sirianni in the coming weeks were ones to keep an eye on.