Michael launched his Training career in 1988, joining forces with his older brothers Lee, Anthony, and Richard in the famed Freedman Brothers Incorporated (FBI) stable. Over two decades, this powerhouse trained over 100 Group 1 winners, including five Melbourne Cup victories and four consecutive Golden Slippers.
In 2008, Michael struck out independently with a training license in Singapore, where he achieved an impressive 468 winners at a 15% strike rate, highlighted by the two‑time Singapore Horse of the Year, Super Easy. This tenure included a brief stint in Hong Kong before his return to Australia.
Based at Royal Randwick, Michael operates a boutique yet highly effective stable with just 29 boxes, a treadmill, walker, and pool access. Despite its size, he has produced several Group 1 stars, including Golden Slipper winner Stay Inside (2021), Forbidden Love (multiple Group 1 wins), and 2025’s Golden Slipper champion, Marhoona. Other notable performers include Queen of the Ball, Tiger of Malay, Glistening, and Prime Star.
He’s regarded as one of Australia’s hottest trainers, known for precision, communication, and elite results.
Recent Expansion: Establishing a Gold Coast Satellite Stable
July 2025: Michael announced the establishment of a satellite stable at the Gold Coast Turf Club (Aquis Park), marking a significant expansion into South East Queensland. He will be taking over the facilities long occupied by his Hall of Fame brother, Lee Freedman, who will transition into the role of stable manager.
The expansion aims to:
Provide Michael with a permanent base for year-round Queensland racing;
Solve recurring stabling challenges during high-demand periods like the Brisbane winter carnival and Magic Millions; and
Leverage Gold Coast’s world-class facilities and growing racing prominence.
The new stable comprises approximately 30 boxes, with Lee stepping back from his own training career to oversee operations. The move was timed to align with the start of the 2025–26 racing season (from August 1).
This development reunites the Freedman brothers—albeit in a new structure—and reinforces Michael’s reputation while enhancing his stable’s geographic reach and operational flexibility.
