Taylor provided an Otago link to the rousing victory of Without A Fight in the race that stopped two nations on Tuesday.
The Mosgiel-raised, Otago Boys’ High School-educated man is the racing manager for Freedman Racing, overseeing the operations of champion trainers Anthony and Sam Freedman.
Having a front-row seat and involvement in winning Australia’s greatest race marked an extraordinary rise for a Taieri boy who spent every spare minute at Wingatui when he was younger, often alongside future champion trainer Jamie Richards.
"It was just an unbelievable feeling," Taylor told the Otago Daily Times from Melbourne.
"Words probably can’t describe the feelings I felt."
Without A Fight sealed the coveted Melbourne Cup-Caulfield Cup double and won going away.
The pace in the horse was there for all to see, Taylor said.
"For a stayer, he has a terrific turn of foot, which he showed when he kicked clear.
"He showed in the winter that he can sprint very quickly off fast speeds which is very unusual for a stayer."
It was a ninth Melbourne Cup triumph for the Freedman family.
Taylor joined the stable when he moved to Australia seven and a-half years ago.
After graduating from the University of Otago with an education degree and postgraduate diploma, he spent a couple of years in the classroom before the lure of the turf proved too strong.
He worked for New Zealand Racing for a spell then served as racing manager for Te Akau Racing before joining the Freedmans.
Parents Michelle and Stephen are still in Mosgiel, but Taylor, partner Jayne and daughters Pippa and Luca are enjoying life across the Ditch too much to look at a return to Wingatui just yet.
"There are no plans at this stage to come home. We really enjoy Melbourne, especially with our jobs over here."
