One of Victoria’s greatest country cup performers, Matt Loch, has retired.

He farewelled us last Friday night in one of the best ways possible, a big win in typical fashion in the Pink Diamond Veterans final.

He won 38 of his 78 starts and amassed close to $400,000 in prize money throughout his career. Which is astonishing considering he only won two races at the city tracks – a Prelude of the Sportsbet Melbourne Cup at Sandown Park and a Grade 5 at The Meadows, both in late 2024.

Group class racing was constant for him and clearly his sweet spot was country cups.

Won Warrnambool Cup (2024, 2025)
Won Geelong Cup (2025)
Ballarat Cup finalist (2024, 2025)
Bendigo Cup finalist (2024)

What probably went under the radar last Friday is that he competed in three Pink Diamonds, and wasn’t far off a clean sweep.

Won Pink Diamond Veterans (2026)
Won Pink Diamond Champion Sprinter (2025)
Pink Diamond Champion Sprinter runner-up (2024)

Plus a couple of other Group racing highlights that can’t be ignored.

Hobart Thousand finalist (2025)
Won Ballarat Western Districts Derby (2024)

Despite him not being a regular on the metropolitan scene, it was his constant appearances in provincial majors, his consistency and most importantly his raw ability which had him as a favourite for us all.

A 10-YEAR-OLD BARWON HEADS STUDENT IS ENJOYING THE RIDE OF HIS LIFE WITH STAR GREYHOUND MATT LOCH