Gold Trip would be Sarvana’s first foal and was eventually sold by Monfort for €60,000 as a yearling to French owner Jean-Louis Bouchard. Under the watchful eye of Chantilly mentor Chappet, the young colt showed considerable promise early in his career, winning the Group 2 Prix Greffulhe beating subsequent German Derby winner In Swoop, running third to Aidan O’Brien’s Mogul in the Group 1 Grand Prix De Paris, and then finishing a bold fourth in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe behind Sottsass, all during his three-year-old season.
A year later Monfort sold Sarvana for €280,000 at the premium Vent d’Elevage broodmare sale at Arqana in France, and around the same time Gold Trip was sold to Australia with noted import accumulator Australian Bloodstock and Ciaron Maher’s trusted bloodstock manager Will Bourne teaming up to get the deal done.
Transferred from Chappet to the care of Ciaron Maher and David Eustace, Gold Trip was originally earmarked for the 2021 Cox Plate but was ruled out during Racing Victoria’s mandatory pre-race veterinary examinations.
Chappet continued to follow Gold Trip’s journey, including his preparation for the Melbourne Cup. He also braved a very early morning start in November 2022, when he watched his past student triumph in one of the greatest races of all on the other side of the globe.
