Lexus Melbourne Cup hero Gold Trip retires

The stallion is set to commence stud duties and stand at the newly rebranded Lovatsville Stud, in Central Victoria.

Gold Trip came to Australia with only one win to his name, but a host of strong performances in some of Europe’s premier staying contests. A highlight being his fourth-placed finish in the 2020 Group 1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (2400m) behind Sottsass, beating home the likes of Enable and Stradivarius. Add to that Group 1 placings in the 2020 Grand Prix de Paris (2400m), 2021 Prix Ganay (2100m) and the 2021 Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud (2400m), he brought an impressive resume to Australia.

His strong form is Europe saw him allotted topweight in the 2022 Lexus Melbourne Cup, despite only having one win to his name.

The 2022 Lexus Melbourne Cup victory was brilliant, blending into the race at the right time and racing clear at the clocktower for jockey Mark Zahra’s maiden Melbourne Cup victory, a moment he thought may have slipped through his grasp after missing the ride on Verry Elleegant in the previous year’s Cup due to suspension.

Gold Trip also provided Ciaron Maher with his first Lexus Melbourne Cup, in partnership with David Eustace, and will always hold a special place with Maher and his stable.

"This horse has just been remarkable. He delivered our first Melbourne Cup, and for that, he will always have a special place in my heart," said Ciaron Maher.

Gold Trip became the second French-bred Melbourne Cup winner after Dunaden in 2011.

Australian Bloodstock's Jamie Lovett paid tribute to the French import, "He gave us the thrill of a lifetime in the Spring of 2022, and we're thankful that he retires as a healthy horse whose progeny will be seen on racetracks in Australia again."

While Gold Trip was bred in France, he already had an Australian and Flemington connection through his sire, 2013 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile winner Outstrip, who’s sire Exceed And Excel won the Group 1 Newmarket Handicap (1200m) at Flemington before retiring to a successful career at stud.

After a winless Autumn campaign in 2023, Gold Trip returned to the scene of his hallmark Melbourne Cup win in the Group 1 TAB Turnbull Stakes (2000m).

All the talk was around Hong Kong galloper Romantic Warrior who was installed a warm favourite, Gold Trip starting the race at generous $19. With Zahra in the saddle again, he displayed an explosive turn of foot, quickly disposing of the high-quality field and racing away in what was one of the Group 1 performances of the year at Flemington.

Maher suggested the win was right up there with his best.

"His Turnbull Stakes win was arguably a better performance, given the field he beat that day." - Ciaron Maher

Ciaron Maher Racing’s Head of Bloodstock, Will Bourne, also spoke highly of the stallion.

"Being around the horse, handling him, riding him at the beach, I was in awe of him. He's an intelligent, classy animal who was always a pleasure to deal with and a real specimen to look at. What he did on the track was freakish, and if his progeny are anything like him, he'll be a brilliant addition to the Australian breeding ranks."

GOLD TRIP (FR) 

Bay Horse 

Foaled  10/03/2017

Sire  Outstrip (GB) 

Dam  Sarvana (IRE) (Dubai Destination (USA)) 

Trainers  Fabrice Chappet (FR), Ciaron Maher & David Eustace (AUS) 

Breeder Michel Monfort

Owners Australian Bloodstock, J Woodbridge, Whitegate Pastoral, Roth Brogan Syndicate, Gold Trip, Cup Racing Crew Syndicate, S Pellegrino, B Taylor, M Belford, J Garvey, N Greenhalgh, Mrs M Greenhalgh, C Madden, Mystery Downs, C Cook, B Nally, Werrett Bloodstock, L Caminiti & J Simmons

CAREER STATISTICS 

MAJOR ACHIEVEMENTS 

Won 2022 Group 1  Lexus Melbourne Cup (3200m)

Won 2023 Group 1 TAB Turnbull Stakes (2000m)

Won 2020 Group 2 Prix Greffulhe FR (2200m)

2nd 2021 Group 1 Prix Ganay FR (2100m)

2nd 2022 Group 1 Caulfield Cup (2400m)

2nd 2023 Group 2 Peter Young Stakes (1800m)

3rd 2020 Group 1 Grand Prix de Paris FR (2400m)

3rd 2021 Group 1 Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud FR (2400m)

3rd 2023 Group 1 Caulfield Cup (2400m)

3rd 2024 Group 2 Peter Young Stakes (1800m)