From the outset, Clinton McDonald was destined to be a champion horse trainer. With a pedigree reading as the great grandson of Fred Hoysted, grandson of Bon Hoysted and son of Ross McDonald, Clinton is one of the stars of a new breed of trainers stamping their authority on racecourses across the country.
Surrounded by horses for all of his life, he was riding his own ponies at two and representing Victoria in the Under 21 Polocrosse team by age 15.
In a similar vein to his father before him, he started breaking in horses and quickly built a formidable reputation as one of the best in the country. Such was his reputation that Lee Freedman and Fred Kersley both called on a young Clinton to assist in developing their champion horses, Don Eduardo and Northerly.
As a trainer in his own right, Clinton has enjoyed significant success, including three Group 1 victories with the much-loved on speed sprinting champion Regal Roller.
Clinton has also had great success with the brave sprinter Second Effort, winner of the Group 2 P B Lawrence Stakes, Group 3 Bletchingly Stakes and back-to-back wins in the listed Wangoom Handicap during the famed Warrnambool carnival.
On the back of his success with Second Effort, Clinton purchased his full sister Diamond Effort who went on to be a stable star winning the Group 3 Heath, Listed Hereeba Stakes and was narrowly defeated in the Group 2 Schillaci Stakes.
The current stable includes the listed Morphettville Guineas winner and Group 3 placed Ancient Girl and the up-and-coming sprinting sensation Star Patrol.
Like his father and grand-father before him, Clinton McDonald has also had success with jumpers, winning races such as the South Australian Grand National Steeple with Grizz as well as enjoying success at the iconic Warrnambool and Oakbank carnivals with Tigerrific.
The driving force behind McDonald Racing, Clinton has been focused on building the stable through yearlings and building the McDonald Racing client base.
With some early Group 1 success, his involvement in the development of champion Weekend Hussler and his commitment to the development of the stable, it is clear the Hoysted/McDonald dynasty is in safe hands.