Michael Hickmott burst onto the Australian racing scene in 2007 when, as an 18-year-old in his first year of training, he won the coveted Darwin Cup with General Market.

Whilst combining a career in Real Estate with his training career, proving it had little to do with beginner’s luck and everything to do with his passion for thoroughbreds and his skills as a horseman, he returned to win the same event in 2009 with Activation, a horse who Michael still houses at Lakewood and is a farm favourite.

Post this, Michael relocated to South Australia in 2012 has honed his craft by working alongside and learning from some of the best equine minds, both in Australia and abroad, he also returned to Darwin to take out the 2016 Cup with Canny Ballad.

While traditionally, much of the focus of Michael Hickmott Bloodstock has been to source and develop quality horses for the Asian racing market, the philosophy has changed recently with the purchase of Lakewood Stud in 2020. A new era dawned for the business and a lifelong plan and ambition saw Michael allow himself focus on racing rather than selling.

Thanks to the hard work of his young and enthusiastic team of staff and with the backing of both loyal and new clients, Michael has announced himself as a trainer on the rise. The stable’s tally of winners grows by the week as does their success in Stakes races around the country.