His comeback from a career-ending - and potential life-ending - injury was complete when the giant pacer shot up the passing lane to win race 4 at Addington last Tuesday.
Horses coming back from injury are common, but the circumstances around Spirit Eclipse are a little bit special after he fractured his leg in November last year.
Canterbury Equine Clinic partner Bill Bishop saw something courageous in the Jereme's Jet 6yr-old and, after the costs of the successful surgery were covered by the clinic, Bishop set about organising a syndicate of about 60 people to cover training costs at Nigel McGrath's Weedons stables.
However, any winnings from Spirit Eclipse's subsequent racing career are not going back into the pockets of the syndicate - instead, all race stake earnings will go to Ronald McDonald House South Island.
Spirit Eclipse's story has already gained interest in the mainstream media, but there was no better advertisement for the horse or Ronald McDonald House than driver Ricky May wearing specially commissioned colours on the biggest day in New Zealand harness racing.
''To win any race on Cup day as an owner is amazing, but to do it here with that horse, it's just stunning,'' Bishop said with a croaky voice after yelling the horse home.
''I was sure his injury wouldn't worry him but it's always very difficult. He was never a superstar but that was a great win.''
