D Eustace

The son of Newmarket trainer James Eustace and nephew of former Hong Kong trainer David Oughton, David Eustace quickly assembled a formidable record and reputation as a young trainer in Australia. An Englishman by birth, Eustace spent his formative years in his father’s yard before gaining valuable experience with Roger Varian. He was entrusted with travelling horses for his father and Varian, doing so on several occasions to Hong Kong. An amateur rider, too, Eustace then broadened his experience in Australian yards, working for Peter Moody before a stint with Peter and Paul Snowden. He joined Ciaron Maher’s stable soon after in Victoria, Australia and was promoted to Maher’s co-trainer in 2018/19. Eustace and Maher went on to amass over 1,000 wins, including the 2022 Melbourne Cup with Gold Trip. The duo saddled elite-level winners over sprint and staying distances, while also succeeding over hurdles and fences. They won the national title in 2022/23 with 347 wins around Australia. He achieved 36 wins in his first season of training in Hong Kong (2024/25), including four victories by talented youngster Light Years Charm. He also registered his first Hong Kong training treble in April 2025. In the 2025/26 season, Light Years Charm brought Eustace his first Group race win in Hong Kong in the Lion Rock Trophy. Achievements: Australian Champion Trainer (2022/23 [with Ciaron Maher]), Melbourne Champion Trainer (2020/21, 2021/22, 2022/23 [with Ciaron Maher]), Fred Hoysted Medal (2020/21, 2021/22, 2022/23 [with Ciaron Maher]). Notable Wins Include: G3 Lion Rock Trophy (2026 Light Years Charm), Melbourne Cup (2022 Gold Trip), W.S. Cox Plate (2020 Sir Dragonet), Victoria Derby (2021 Hitotsu), Sydney Cup (2020 Etah James), Australian Derby (2021 Explosive Jack, 2022 Hitotsu), Australian Guineas (2022 Hitotsu), Turnbull Stakes (2022 Smokin’ Romans), Coolmore Classic (2022 Lighthouse), Memsie Stakes (2022 Snapdancer). Hong Kong Career Wins (at start of 2026/27 season): 74 (win strike rate: 8.7%).