He retired as president of David Hayden Advertising, which he ran from 1972 to 2014.
Hayden and his wife JoAnn currently own and operate two farms in northern Baltimore County, specializing in breeding and developing thoroughbreds for the commercial market and to race.
Accomplishments include the breeding Safely Kept, The National Champion Sprinter in 1989 and $1,000,000 Breeder's Cup Sprint Champion in 1990, Maryland Bred Horse of the Year in 1989 and 1990 and Maryland's all-time leading distaff earner with over $2 million dollars in earnings. Safely Kept was inducted into the National Racing Hall of Fame in 2011. Their graded stakes winners and Maryland bred champions include: Safely Kept (1989 & 1990), K.O. Punch (1997), Partner's Hero (1998), Ready's Image (2007) Plum (2011, Poseidon's Warriors (2011), etc. Their property Dark Hollow Farm was honored as Maryland Breeder of The Year in 1989; over 50 stakes winners have been raised at Dark Hollow Farm including 17 Graded Stakes horses. Dark Hollow Farm has been a leading consignor at major sales in Kentucky and Maryland.
Hayden's past and present involvement with boards include: Baltimore County Agricultural Land Preservation Board; Thoroughbred Charities of America, Chair of the Advertising / Marketing Committee Maryland Million, LTD, Member of the Advertising & Promotion Committee Chair of Special Events Committee; Maryland Horse Breeders' Association; Member of the Finance Committee National Thoroughbred Racing Association Member of the Communications Committee Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association - Trustee
His involvement with special interests and organizations