Ciaron Maher has paid tribute to his Melbourne Cup-winning champion Gold Trip who has been retired to stud after a stellar career.

The imported horse gave Maher arguably his biggest thrill on a racecourse, dominantly winning the 2022 Melbourne Cup, and the champion trainer says he will always cherish Gold Trip and his feats on the track.

“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,” Maher said.

“But his Turnbull Stakes win was arguably a better performance, given the field he beat that day.”

Maher gave credit to Gold Trip’s owners, who had to bide their time to see their eventual Melbourne Cup winner grace the turf in Australia.

“The ownership group deserved all the success given the patience they showed in his first 12 months in Australia, and I'm thrilled that we’ll get to see his progeny, given he’s such a beautiful horse,” Maher said.



Gold Trip was a winner of more than $7 milion in prizemoney during his 26-start racing career across Europe and Australia.