Another lucrative payday awaits Mr Brightside as he lines up for the All-Star Mile at Caulfield, looking to add to his already substantial prize money tally.

The training partnership of brothers Ben, Will, and J D Hayes are experiencing a dream come true with champion galloper Mr Brightside in their stable.

The New Zealand-bred horse has delivered impressive results, amassing 16 victories from 31 starts – six of them at Group 1 level. Mr Brightside’s success has significantly contributed to the revitalization of Lindsay Park, which had seen a decline in horse numbers following the departures of David Hayes (their father) to Hong Kong and later, cousin Tom Dabernig.

Mr Brightside isn’t just a champion on the track, but also a financial powerhouse for Lindsay Park. With nearly $12.5 million in prize money earned so far, he’ll be chasing another $2 million payday in the upcoming All-Star Mile at Caulfield this Saturday, where he’s the clear favorite at $1.80 odds.

Last year, the gelding triumphed in both the All-Star Mile at Moonee Valley and the prestigious Doncaster Mile at Randwick.

Reflecting on Mr Brightside’s remarkable journey, Ben Hayes admits they never expected the horse to become a $12.5 million earner and land a spot in the top six of all-time money earners.

“If you asked J D, Will or I, we’ve had a giggle with him,” Hayes said. “We’re living the dream. We’re so lucky to have the horse and we now have to focus on placing him and keeping him as happy as possible.”

At the age of six, Mr Brightside has reached a new level of performance this year. In just eight starts since last August, he’s secured five victories, four of them at Group 1 level, with only three runner-up finishes, including the prestigious Cox Plate at Moonee Valley.

Hayes observes that Mr Brightside’s maturity has not only translated to better race results, but also a more impressive work ethic on the training track. He mentioned a recent training session at Lindsay Park’s Euroa property (where the gelding spends most of his time between races) that particularly delighted him and his brothers.