Melbourne Cup-Winning Trainer David Eustace Set to Embark on Exciting Journey in Hong Kong

In a surprising move, acclaimed trainer David Eustace, who achieved victory at the prestigious Melbourne Cup, is bidding farewell to Australia as he sets his sights on a new role in vibrant Hong Kong.

Eustace, originally from the UK and known for his highly successful partnership with Ciaron Maher since 2018, has built an exceptional legacy in Australian horse racing. Together, they have dominated Victoria’s racing scene for four consecutive seasons and currently hold the coveted national trainers’ championship title.

Their combined efforts have resulted in over 1,600 triumphs, including an impressive tally of 30 Group One wins. Notably, their crowning achievement came last year when Gold Trip emerged victorious at the illustrious Melbourne Cup.

Eagerly anticipating this next chapter of his career, Eustace reflected on the profound influence that sparked his desire to train horses in Hong Kong: “As a young child of nine or ten years old—my mother being Gay Oughton and David Oughton her brother—I became aware of my uncle training horses across the seas in Hong Kong. That experience left an indelible mark on me and fueled my aspirations ever since.”

This remarkable opportunity beckoning Eustace to adorn the realm of Hong Kong horse racing fills him with immense pride: “To be invited to train here is truly an honor. The competition is fierce due to limited spots, which is exhilarating. It’s a rare chance for someone of my age, 32 years old, to embark on this venture and strive for a long and successful career. That’s undoubtedly the ultimate goal.”

Eustace arrives in Hong Kong armed with an impressive portfolio from his time in Australia. Sensing that now is the opportune moment to establish himself independently, he draws inspiration from his father James—a respected trainer in Newmarket—and his brother Harry, already a triumphant figure at Royal Ascot.

Recalling his formative years as an apprentice under notable trainers such as Peter Moody and Peter and Paul Snowden—during which he witnessed Capitalist triumphing at the Golden Slipper race—Eustace credits these experiences for shaping his diverse training style:

“I hope to bring forth a unique approach rooted in insights gained from both the UK and Australia. My emphasis lies in leveraging sports science and data analysis to enhance horses’ training methods while extending their careers here in vibrant Hong Kong.”