Young Max tasted moderate success in the saddle but was very handy at getting a well supported horse across the line. A string of suspensions, heavy race falls and battling weight saw Max retire from race riding at a relatively young age. But racing was his life, the instinct to prepare a thoroughbred so it wasn't long until he was training out of Broadmeadow, in fact the first horse he trained as a trainer saluted the judge.

In 1976 at the Summer Sales the uncanny ability to spot a good young horse was never more evident than when he spotted a Kaoru Star colt with a turned out foreleg which was passed in for $7,000. Max later purchased the horse on behalf of owners for $8,000. The “colt from the coalmines” or Luskin Star became the first since Baguette to win the Two Year old Triple Crown – Golden Slipper, AJC Sires Produce and AJC Champagne Stakes. His slipper win is still ranked by many as the greatest and won by seven lengths. Luskin Star was sold to Swettenham Stud and went on to win VATC Caulfield Guineas, AJC Galaxy and others.

What many people in the Hunter knew was now known by racing fans across the country, Max Lees was a trainer for the future with exceptional ability. But this trait was not his only attribute. He was a down to earth great bloke who could mix with the most influential owners and administrators but was at home mixing with the punter, the strappers and odd villain, he loved having an ale and yarn with his mates. Max loved the Hunter and always made Newcastle his home. There was no need for him to move to Sydney to be successful, he was able to compete with the bigger stables from his Broadmeadow base where he was affectionately known as ‘Doc'.

He is credited with winning five Coolmore Classics, a record for until recently the only Group 1 Mares race in Australasia. He trained great horse such as Coronation Day, Snippets, Ruffles, Flitter, Shindig, Chlorophyll, Satin Sand, Quick Silver Cindy, County Tyrone, Potential Star, Shalt Not and many others. His untimely death shocked the racing world. Irreplaceable, one of a kind, gentleman, family man, legend, great bloke, mate, they are all terms that fit Max Lees. His legacy will be felt for a long time because the sport of kings can not afford to lose “one of the true champions of the turf”.

But his stables and the name ‘Lees Racing' continues through his son, Kris, with whom he had spent many years nurturing and preparing and given his great eye for a champion. Young Lees has the ‘old mans' uncanny ability. His first horse a winner, his last also a winner when Allan Robinson booted home the famous orange with black maltese cross at Canterbury, the horse, “Carry On Mate” was exactly what Max would of wanted from Kris and his stable.