David Vandyke began training out of Kembla Grange as a 21 year-old, winning the local training premiership in 1989 under the name of David Hayes.

When returning to training years later, David took the last name of his mother's maiden name Vandyke to avoid confusion with Victorian trainer David Hayes.

Taking a break from training, Vandyke worked as a breaker at Shaddai Farm in the early 1990's and upon returning to Australia helped Tim Martin establish his stable at Rosehill.

Vandyke went on to work for Sydney trainer Chris Waller for five years and after starting a successful business with Dr Tim Roberts supplying animal health care products decided the time was right to returning to the training ranks.

Choosing Warwick Farm as his training location, Vandyke had good success not only in the city but the surrounding country and provincial tracks as well.

David Vandyke's first big win came with Lamasery in the 2011 Colin Stephen Quality and in 2016 won his first Group 1 with Yankee Rose in the Inglis Sires'.

In 2016 Vandyke decided to move his stable to the Gold Coast for more opportunities and a relaxed lifestyle.