While we’ve been busy profiling potential 2024 Melbourne Cup runners including Chesspiece, some major news has broken about a hugely popular training partnership.
David Eustance and Ciaron Maher are one of Australia’s very best training link-ups. Now, Eustance is set to leave the operation to set up in Hong Kong.
Split is Bittersweet for Ciaron Maher
Together, Ciaron Maher and David Eustace have been prolific. Their training partnership has been responsible for some 40 Group 1 victories. The highlight of course was their 2022 Melbourne Cup win with Gold Trip. However now, Eustace will leave the operation in the new year.
Since coming together as recently as 2018, Maher and Eustace have been at the top of the game in Australia. The pair have won four Victorian Trainers Championships in a row.
Using social media, Ciaron Maher announced the seismic news as “bittersweet”. The trainer added that he felt bitter knowing he cannot replace Eustace so easily, though the memories remain sweet given the pair’s time together which has led to so much success.
Maher and Eustace were together through tough times and good ones. They are the champion trainers in Australia and, on social media, Maher said he couldn’t have done that without Eustace. His appointment in Hong Kong, according to his partner, is well deserved.
Eustace Heading to Hong Kong
David Eustace, a Brit, came to Australia in 2014. He quickly climbed the ladder and his reputation meant a link-up with Maher. Together, they flourished.
Having managed to win some of the biggest races in Australia, including the Melbourne Cup, Eustace has been offered a top role in Hong Kong.
A true globetrotter, Eustace has held ambitions to train in Hong Kong for some time. He now joins the ranks of 21 licensed trainers with the Hong Kong Jockey Club.
David Eustace’s story is one of real success, but it’s not the only one to come out of Ciaron Maher’s operation. Annabel Neasham, another multiple Group 1 winner, also worked with Maher earlier in her career.
Maher & Eustace’s Melbourne Cup Win
Without doubt, the highlight of this training partnership came as recently as 2022 when Gold Trip took down the Melbourne Cup at Flemington.
Ridden by Mark Zahra, now a two-time winner of the Cup, Gold Trip was imperious on the day. Much more to the point, he was superbly prepared by Maher and Eustace.
Carrying 57.5kg, Gold Trip was not among the favourites for the 2022 Cup. He also had work to do from the 14 barrier but was expertly ridden by Zahra throughout.
Understandably, it seemed Gold Trip was struggling after his big win. Owing to the conditioning of Maher and Eustace however, he went on to win the Turnbull Stakes in October before finishing a close in the Caulfield Cup.
