Racing trainer Billy Healey eager for new season success

After overcoming setbacks last season, racing trainer Billy Healey says his stable is ready for its best year yet with a number of promising debutants.

Racing trainer Billy Healey. Picture: Patrick Woods.

Sunshine Coast racing trainer Billy Healey says he’s eager for the opening months of the 2023/24 season with a number of promising young stars ready to make their mark for his stable.

The 25 year-old recorded a 12 per cent win and 33 per cent place percentage last season from 157 starts.

Healey said he was content with how the year played out.

“We had an okay season with a few minor setbacks but we seem to be back and going well now,” he said.

“We’ve got a number of nice younger horses that haven't debuted yet that we thought would have by now.

“Then there’s a few that have, that we have high hopes for so we expect the next few months to probably be our best yet.”

Chikara winning with ease for @BHealeyracing with a great steer from @BenThompson2102. Well don’t to all connections! @widdenstudpic.twitter.com/JEr79cxEax

— Sam Sheehan (@SheehanSamuel) August 6, 2023

Healey, who was just 18 when he took out his trainer‘s licence, took over the stable in 2018 after his father sadly passed away.

The former champion showjumper is based in the Glass House Mountains and worked under established trainers Jason McLachlan, Natalie McCall and Darren Weir when he was coming through the ranks.

Now with around 40 horses in his stable he hoped to hit the ground running for the new season with Gossip Torque and Riviera Blue nominated for this weekend’s races.

“Gossip Torque is nominated for a few places in Ipswich, Doomben and the Sunshine Coast so we’ll just see where she draws best,” he said.

“She’s going quite well at the moment and we’ve been very happy with her but we’ll just pick where she’s best suited.

“Riviera Blue went very good last start but is the same in that he’s nominated in town on Saturday and on Sunday at the Sunshine Coast.

“We’ll go towards the better option wherever he draws but he’s in good order and we were very happy with his big first up run so hopefully he can improve again and be hard to beat.”

King Yoshi sprints nicely through the line in the opener at @SCTurfClub. pic.twitter.com/lkm3p4RszE

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) April 14, 2023

Healey said he was excited for the return of King Yoshi following his maiden victory in April at Caloundra.

“He was very good winning here a few months ago and he’s come back in really good order,” he said.

“In terms of some unraced ones there’s a Written By filly and a Russian Revolution runner that we’ve got a bit of an opinion on so fingers crossed for the next few months.”