Tony Haydon is enjoying training racehorses on the Sunshine Coast

He may have had the ride of his life as part of the team behind racing legend Black Caviar but trainer Tony Haydon is enjoying the new challenges of his Sunshine Coast stable.

He may have reached the racing pinnacle as part of the team behind the legendary horse Black Caviar but Sunshine Coast racing trainer Tony Haydon is still chasing that one in a million success.

Haydon, who served as an assistant trainer to renowned racing identity Peter Moody for more than 13 years, was a key figure with Black Caviar during the thoroughbred’s undefeated run of 25 races.

After beginning in the industry as an apprentice jockey for Brisbane trainer Bill Mitchell and Bill’s foreman Peter, the now 48-year-old said at the time he couldn’t have imagined what he was about to encounter.

“I was too small to get any other sort of job really but I always wanted to ride so I began as an apprentice when I was 18,” Haydon said.

“I finished up my apprenticeship and went away for a bit before Pete asked me to help run the satellite stable he had in Caulfield.

“It was a great era of horses with the likes of Typhoon Tracey, Reward For Effort and, of course, Black Caviar.”

Black Caviar with assistant trainer Tony Haydon in July 2012. Picture: Ian Currie

Haydon said it was great to be a part of her success and, most importantly, seeing her win the Diamond Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot.

“Everyone knows how good of a horse she was, so for me to see her at her best, especially when we went over to England, was great,” he said.

“It’s a whole different world over there, so to be on the world stage and watch her perform the way she did you couldn’t ask for much more.”

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After working alongside Peter for 20 years Haydon and his wife Marni left Caulfield in late 2013 to start a courier business in Townsville.

“I needed a break and thought I would try something different but honestly after a few months I just couldn’t stay away and began training a few horses on the side,” he said.

“The horses started to take over the courier business and we then moved to the Coast in 2017.”

The dedicated trainer has nothing but fond memories from his rollercoaster adventure as part of Black Caviar’s incredible success but seems content with the change of pace with his Sunshine Coast stable.

“We’ve got 14 horses in work and that’s the way we prefer it,” he said.

“It’s a good life for me and Marni and we’ve got young Sophie Blunt who will be an apprentice for us too, which is good.”