In The Congo X She’s Bobby’s Girl

Matt Hoysted comes from a horse racing family rich in tradition. He grew up in Wangaratta before moving to Melbourne when he was 13 years old. Having a father as a trainer, Matt grew up in the stables, so it was no surprise that his first job upon moving to Melbourne was for Lloyd Williams at his Flemington stables with his uncle, Robert Hickmott, who was then stable foreman.

During his four years there, the stable transitioned to the world class training establishment Macedon Lodge. In that time Matt was able to work around champions like Efficient, Gallic and Zipping. Matt was then offered a position to work for Michael Moroney at his Flemington stable where he plied his trade for five years, of which three were served as assistant trainer. In that time the stable had Group 1 winners Brazilian Pulse, Monaco Consul and Glass Harmonium.

At the end of 2014 Matt made the move to Brisbane where he worked under leading Brisbane trainer Tony Gollan for 18 months before becoming assistant trainer for Steve O’Dea, who had prepared a swathe of Proven Thoroughbreds gallopers since 2009.

Less than four years into his role with the O’Dea stable, Matt was promoted to co-trainer and it wasn’t long before the partnership celebrated its first Group 1 together when Uncommon James triumphed in the Oakleigh Plate.

In 2024, Steve made the decision to step away from training which paved the way for Matt to become head trainer for the stable under the rebranded banner of Matt Hoysted Racing. Matt’s hands-on approach aligns with Proven’s training philosophy and has produced stakes winners like Scallopini, Gotta Kiss, Sesar, Candika, Stroll, Better Get Set & Canadian Dancer.