David Eustace admits it was tough telling Ciaron Maher he was leaving for Hong Kong

David Eustace has opened up on his move to Hong Kong, admitting the decision weighed heavily on him.

Hong Kong bound David Eustace with Ciaron Maher after Gold Trip won the 2022 Melbourne Cup. Picture: Racing Photos via Getty Images

It’s a measure of David Eustace’s standing that at age 32 he has been invited by the Hong Kong Jockey Club to join one of the most competitive training centres in world racing.

For Eustace it was the stuff of the dreams he’s harboured even since his uncle David Oughton trained there, or as an 18-year-old when he travelled with his father’s champion sprinter War Artist to Hong Kong in 2009 and four years later with Roger Vadim's Farraaj.

JA: How did Hong Kong come about?

DE: I went in June for a couple of days and post that they got in touch and it went from there. Exciting for me but a very difficult position given my relationship with Ciaron. It weighed heavily on me but I’m young and wanted to do something on my own, plus my partner Izzy was very keen on the idea. It felt like if we didn’t do it now, we might never do it.

JA: How hard was it to tell Ciaron Maher?

DE: I don’t get particularly nervous but I was terribly nervous before that. We went to a Chinese restaurant called Mahjong. Ciaron was very understanding straight away.

JA: So we may not see you again?

DE: No, I’m an Australian citizen now, my partner is Australian and I barrack for Carlton. But I will always support England in the Ashes.

JA: Didn’t they tell you that part of the new citizenship rules are you have to barrack for Australia in all sports?

DE: (laughs). Everything bar cricket.

JA: You have been under some legendary trainers. What has each taught you?

DE: To simplify it. Dad taught my brother Harry to always, and I mean always, check a horse’s legs before they work.

David Eustace leads a horse at Sha Tin, Hong Kong, 10 years ago when he was assistant to trainer Roger Varian. Picture: Getty Images

JA: Roger Varian?

DE: I was assistant to him at age 19 which was a steep learning curve with 130 horses in work, so I learnt a lot about man management. And Roger taught me when to put pressure on a horse, to know when a horse is ready.

JA: Peter Moody?

DE: I learnt track training, how to keep horses fresh and sharp. Peter Moody had a great system at Caulfield, with everything happening quickly.

JA: Ciaron Maher?

DE: More about slowing the tempo or changing a horse’s environment such as who needs beach work, who is best out of the yards or doing hill work. With so many horses you are so busy which leaves you very little time to actually think and progress, yet he constantly does that. He’s also very good at allowing people to grow into a role which gives him time to step back and plan.

JA: Do you ever fall in love with the appearance of a horse, or its ability?

DE: The most striking horse would have been Jameka. For ability there is obviously Gold Trip, who Ciaron will always look back on as the horse that really cemented his place in racing. Hitotsu also really stood out. He was a potential Melbourne Cup horse. Loving Gaby was the one we didn’t see the absolute best of, even though she won two Group 1s. She was a budding champion before doing a tendon.

JA: Which race would you most like to win?

DE: The Arc is the ultimate race. I think it was a great shame Winx didn’t travel. She was phenomenal. I’m sure she would have won a Group 1 race in Europe, whether it was the Arc over 2400m I’m not sure.

JA: I hear you are a big Gai Waterhouse fan?

DE: I think Gai is a force of nature, along with Adrian Bott who has obviously done a great job. Gai has trained at 20 per cent (winners) for her entire career. She belongs right up there in Australia’s best ever trainers.

JA: And our jockeys?

DE: James McDonald is world class, so consistent. Mark Zahra on his day is just as good and I respect how he manages his year.