Trainer Oral Hayden continues to quietly climb the ranks of the local racing scene, and on Saturday, he took another important step forward. The rookie conditioner saddled Midnight Galaxy to victory in the eighth event, the Valbert Marlowe Trophy at Caymanas Park, ridden to perfection by apprentice Emielo McLean.

It marked Hayden’s ninth win of the season, pushing his career tally closer to his target of 50 wins and boosting his stakes earnings to over six million dollars. Now ninth in the current trainer’s standings, Hyden is proving that dedication and teamwork can yield real results, even for the new kids on the block.

“It has its ups and downs, but it’s race horses and so you just have to continue trying to get them fit and prepared, and just come to the track and fight,” Hayden said after the win.

“My support has been great because I have assistants doing an excellent job, my workers are also doing a great job, so it is teamwork all the way.”

Though only in his third full season, Hayden is in second place in the new batch of apprentice trainers this year, something he considers a major milestone in his journey.

“That is a great feeling,” he added. “I’m happy for the wins, because it could have been worse, I could have not won any races. So I am grateful for the success so far.”

Hayden’s focus remains on steady growth and climbing even higher in the standings. “It’s a great accomplishment that I am in the top 10,” he said. “But I am working towards moving up into the top five now.”

Hayden stated that his confidence is rooted in the bond he has with his horses and the tireless hours spent tending to their condition.

“The confidence factor is that you get up early and you look at your horses morning, evening, and night,” he explained. “That just gives you a lift and a joy, and there is nothing that compares to that because it is your animals, and you love them.”

What’s even more encouraging is the camaraderie Hayden has built with more experienced trainers on the grounds, helping him stay motivated and passionate about his craft.

“Being a young trainer, the support has been great,” he said. “I have been wrapping with the big trainers and the support is there. We run our jokes and we enjoy coming and watching our horses exercising in the mornings.”