Fred was a trailblazer in his field and helped shape the future of Australian horse racing. He built a legacy that was able to be carried on through Clinton’s grandfather Bon Hoysted, and late father Ross McDonald, who left their mark on the industry in their own right. The Hoysted/McDonald dynasty left a legacy of skill, expertise and dedication that continues to shape the world of racing today.
Clinton’s passion for horses at a young age was evident, riding ponies soon after taking his first steps, it wasn’t long before he was representing Victoria in the Under 21 Polocrosse team at the age of 15.
Following in his father’s footsteps, Clinton quickly made a name for himself as a master horse breaker, earning the respect of icons like Lee Freedman and Fred Kersley, who sought his expertise in shaping champions like Don Eduardo and Notherly.
Carrying a deep-seated passion for the sport and carrying a wealth of knowledge passed down through generations, Clinton has carved out his own impressive career as a trainer. His dedication to excellence and ability to develop and nurture talented racehorses has solidified his place among racing’s elite.
The stable has tasted significant success through his early Group 1 wins with sprinting sensation Regal Roller. His prowess extends beyond sprinters with triumphs like Second Effort’s Group 2 P.B Lawrence Stakes win and Diamond Effort’s stella performance in various prestigious races. Not confined to just flat racing, Clinton has also seen victories with jumpers, securing wins in distinguished events like the South Australian Grand National Steeple.
This all culminated in his recent success with his impressive Blue Diamond Sweep in 2024 with champion Filly Hayasugi. Winning all three races in the series and taking out the $2 million Blue Diamond Stakes, highlights the current strength and depth of talented horses the stable boasts today.
Clinton’s daughter Ali represents the latest chapter in the esteemed pedigree of horse trainers. Well beloved by her staff and well respected in the industry at such a young age, her hand in the stable’s recent success cannot be understated. Ali has already attained over 10 year of industry experience. She completed her Equine studies at Geelong’s Marcus Oldham College which led her to working at Arrowfield Stud, prepping the future stars of the track for esteemed sales like the Gold Coast Magic Millions. This inevitably led her back to overseeing the day to day operations and development of the diverse range of racehorses the stable hosts today.
The newest Assistant Trainer will soon enter a partnership with Clinton, helping guide the future of Hoysted/McDonald Dynasty and continue to shape the world of Australian racing.
