Racing trainer James Healy reflects on career best season

Up and coming Queensland racing trainer James Healy has reflected on his biggest season to date and names his leading chance for the coming weeks.

Sunshine Coast racing trainer James Healy. Picture: Patrick Woods

Rising Sunshine Coast trainer James Healy is continuing to flourish with his small stable, putting together his best season yet.

The 27-year-old, who began in the industry working as a strapper for Ciaron Maher and David Eustace in Melbourne, launched his Caloundra-based stable in December 2020.

Since August 2022 Healy has recorded five wins and 10 placings from his stable’s 38 starts.

“This season has been my best yet,” he said.

“I’ve only been working between five and six horses but have been getting results with all of them which has been good.

“The younger ones are starting to come through and it’s only going to get better next season as well.”

Irish Maudie and Critical Thinker brought up the stables first double over the weekend. Both ridden a treat by jockey @BrookerTiffani. That’s now 4 winners from our last 8 runners. pic.twitter.com/Ey7pWfNfI1

— James Healy Racing (@jhealyracing) April 17, 2023

He said his highlight from the season was scoring his first career double at Toowoomba thanks to Irish Maudie and Critical Thinker who were both ridden by Tiffani Brooker.

Healy also rewarded apprentice jockey Mitch Goring with his debut ride at Kilcoy on June 4.

With a current stable size of seven horses he said he was proud of what he had achieved.

“I just picked up a few more but I only ever have about three or four up and racing at any point in time,” he said.

“To get five winners this season already is a pretty good effort I think and my last five starters have recorded four seconds.

“It’s good that they’re running well and picking up a cheque each time for the owners but it does get frustrating when you start to think what if those four could’ve been winners.

“But that’s the game we play so if we can keep continuing we’ll be right.”

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

He said four-year-old gelding Mio Sorrento was one to keep a close eye on in the coming weeks.

“I think we’ll start to see the best of him across his next couple of starts,” he said.

“He ran a really good second at the Sunshine Coast last start in a bounce back performance so he’s one I’ll be closely watching the next two starts.”