Family shattered after theft of precious gold racing cup

The stolen Caulfield Cup.

A retired racing couple are in shock after thieves brazenly broke into their home and stole a cherished $50,000 cup while they were sleeping.

Joy Campbell said she and husband, Russell, woke yesterday morning to find their prized golden Caulfield Cup, won in 1975 by a horse they trained and part-owned, snatched from its spot in their Cambridge lounge where it had had pride of place for the past 40 years.

Campbell said it was a huge blow after pouring their life into thoroughbred racing industry to find the souvenir of Analight's glorious victory in one of Australia's richest races taken from under their noses.

"I came into the lounge to look to see if I had pulled the curtains and I said to my husband, 'My God, the window's broken and the cup's gone'."

The robbery, which happened overnight on Friday, had left the elderly couple shaken. "We've both been upset about it all day."

"I used to help in the stables, too, and that cup was so special."

It had sat on an electric organ in a corner of her lounge and was framed by a clock that sat on the wall above.

The intruder had broken a nearby window, specially targeting the cup. Nothing else was taken.

Campbell said the gold in the cup was estimated to be worth $50,000 but the sentimental value of the 40-year-old prize far outweighed any dollar value.

"It's priceless to us. We just want the cup back," said Campbell.

She feared it would be smelted down for its precious metal.

Friends and family were last night taking to social media to spread the word about the theft in a bid to see the stolen cup returned.

Granddaughter Shannon Campbell posted: "It's terrible!! My grandparents had that cup sitting proudly in the lounge for the last 40 years ... now some scumbag lowlife person/s have taken that away from them."

Campbell said she could still vividly recall the day Analight won the cup, earning her owners a share of the $75,000 winnings.

Cambridge police are asking anyone with information about the theft to contact them on 07 827 5531 or send a private message through their Facebook page.