'We had a glass of champagne at 5am!' - Eustace family joy after Gold Trip win

Some rather loud cheers were heard in Newmarket at just after 4.00 on Tuesday morning after the Eustace family celebrated Gold Trip's victory in the Melbourne Cup.

James and Gay Eustace, the parents of Gold Trip’s joint-trainer David Eustace, stayed up through the night to watch the racing from Flemington and enjoyed an early-morning toast following the big-race success. The trainer’s brother Harry, whose alarm went off at 3.45am, was similarly proud as punch.

Former Newmarket trainer Eustace snr, whose three-month visit to see his son this year kicked off with Hitotsu winning the Australian Guineas, said: “I booked this morning off a few days ago, we stayed up all night and watched Flemington and now I’m watching England in the cricket, so I’m having a very good day so far.

“It was fantastic to watch Gold Trip’s win and it’s been an amazing year – this morning was up there with Hitotsu’s win and Harry’s success with his first runner at Royal Ascot. We are very proud parents.

“We were trying to watch all five runners and did a pretty good job – it was absolutely amazing and a morning we’ll never forget. I have to admit we did open a bottle of champagne at five o’clock. We only had a glass each so we’ll finish the rest of it off later.

“We’re resigned to the fact David won’t be coming back in a professional sense, but we’re hoping we might get him back for Christmas this year. Australia and its racing scene has been very good to him and he’s made it happen.”

Harry Eustace: cheered home his brother's Gold Trip in the Melbourne CupCredit: Edward Whitaker

Harry Eustace took over the licence in Newmarket from his father last year, winning the Palace of Holyroodhouse Handicap with Latin Lover at Royal Ascot in June, and he spoke to his brother in the aftermath of the victory.

Eustace said: “It’s been a very special morning and one of the good ones! It’s fantastic for David and the progress he and Ciaron [Maher] have made in a relatively short period of time is unbelievable. They have a remarkable set-up and operation.

“He and our cousin [Charles McGladdery] were in the car heading home for a quick beer when I spoke to him afterwards. They were trying to work out where the party would be, so we probably won’t hear from him for 48 hours.

“Anyone who goes to Australia knows there’s a chance it can take off. There are plenty of opportunities out there but I’m not sure any of us, even David included, could have expected it to flourish to this extent. It’s a great place for the younger generation who are willing to put in a bit of graft.”

Eustace will bid to complete a unique family across-the-globe double on Saturday with 25-1 shot Ziggy an intended runner in the BetGoodwin November Handicap (3.13) at Doncaster providing the ground is not too testing.

He said: “I plan to run Ziggy as long as heavy doesn’t feature in the description, which is probably a 50-50 likelihood. He’s very well and lightly raced this year. He got a splint after his win at Haydock that grumbled away for a lot longer than ideal and he needed the run a bit at York.

“He’s come out of it really well and I feel he’s capable of picking up one of these big handicaps.”

Read this next . . .

'I can't believe it' – Brit Eustace buzzing after Gold Trip wins Melbourne Cup

Lee Mottershead: joy for Newmarket's Eustace as the training duo with 600 horses capture the Cup (Members' Club)

Victoria Police called to Flemington after vandal pours oily sludge on track

Download the new Racing Post app here to read exclusive content from the biggest names. There are brilliant betting masterclasses from Tom Segal, Paul Kealy and David Jennings, Q&As with pro punters, trainers and jockeys, plus much more. Download the new app now to access all of this unrivalled content.