David Eustace has resigned as co-trainer at Ciaron Maher Racing to start a solo career in Hong Kong.
Eustace, 32, will leave for the Asian thoroughbred capital after ending his tenure with one of Australian racing's juggernaut stables at the end of January.
After weeks of speculation about securing a potential Hong Kong Jockey Club licence, Eustace's departure was announced on Thursday.
"It’s a bittersweet day," Eustace said.
"Obviously I am thrilled to be offered the position in Hong Kong, it has always been a dream of mine since I was a boy.
"It's exciting and a challenge I will relish, however, I will miss being part of this extraordinary operation."
The son of Newmarket trainer James Eustace, British-born Eustace joined the Maher operation in 2016 after working for Peter Snowden and was promoted to co-trainer two years later.
Bren O’Brien
Maher and Eustace have been a formidable duo ever since, winning more than 1600 races, including 30 at Group 1 level with Gold Trip's victory in the 2022 Melbourne Cup an obvious highlight.
Together, they claimed their first national premiership in 2022/23 to complement three successive metropolitan titles in Melbourne since 2020/21.
The stable is well on the way to another city training crown 2023/24.
"This is a real bittersweet moment for CMR," Maher said.
"Bitter, because it will be difficult to replace someone with David’s skills and work ethic – and just a great human being.
"Sweet, as it’s a fitting reward for David and at the same time gives us a great opportunity to continue to evolve and develop from within.
"He has been alongside me from the early days through thick and thin.
"I know we couldn’t have reached our current position as champion trainers of Australia without him - and his Hong Kong appointment is recognition of that.
"I am certain he will be very successful there.
"This is not the end of our relationship just a new chapter and both of us are confident that our relationship will continue in some form that will be to the benefit of both operations and their owners."
Get excited! 🙌 David Eustace will join Hong Kong's training ranks next season... #HKracing pic.twitter.com/9GpFgwOtc0
— HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) December 21, 2023
The HKJC says Eustace’s arrival will complement Hong Kong’s world-class trainer cohort.
“David Eustace brings a unique skill set as well as extensive experience for a trainer of his age,” the club's chief executive of racing Andrew Harding said.
“Importantly, while he has achieved such conspicuous success during his time in Australia, his knowledge and experience of racing in the UK is also of great value to Hong Kong racing, which has always blended talents from around the world, and will help with the sourcing of horses from Europe to complement our world-class level of racing.”
