Calvin McEvoy considers it a privilege and dream come true to be joining his father Tony in a training partnership.

Prominent trainer Tony McEvoy surprised his 24-year-old son during the South Australian Awards on Saturday night when he announced the new partnership as he was accepting the C S Hayes Trophy as the state's premier trainer for 2018/19.

“It's very exciting,” Calvin McEvoy said.

“It was a big surprise, a big shock when he did that on Saturday night.

“We've never spoken about it. I've never asked him about it. We both knew that's what we would like in the future and he's the sort of guy who's a bit old school that I knew it would happen when he thought it was the right time.

“I never pressured him about it, or asked him. I didn't know it would be this soon but it is a big thrill that he obviously thinks I'm ready for it.

“Everyone has been incredible with their messages of support and I'm very lucky to have such a good role model that I've been able to learn off. And being my father that's even better.

“It was a pretty special moment on Saturday night.”

Calvin has been working full-time for his father's two-state operation for the past three years having spent time working for Lindsay Park in Victoria, English trainer David Simcock in Newmarket and Coolmore Stud in the NSW Hunter Valley.

Entries from the stable entered for races this week are already listed by Racing Australia under ‘Tony McEvoy and Calvin McEvoy', including acceptors for races in South Australia and Victoria on Wednesday.

“I just got sent a few photos of that as well,” Calvin said on Monday.

“I didn't know it was going to happen that quickly.”

The stable's nominations this week include multiple Group One winner Sunlight who is scheduled to make her season return this Saturday on a path towards the $14 million Everest.