Jimmy Recard digs in to win the Vain Stakes 2025

Jimmy Recard showed grit and class at Caulfield on Saturday, fending off a strong challenge to claim the Group 3 Vain Stakes (1100m) and extend his winning streak to three.

Sent out the $3.60 favourite, the colt was tested when Tycoon Star ($5) loomed up alongside in the straight, but under the drive of jockey Jamie Melham, he lifted late to prevail by a long head. Express Class ($13) was another 1-½ lengths away in third. The win follows his Gosford maiden success in June and his victory in the Taj Rossi Sprint Final at Flemington last month.

Melham said the colt had turned a corner mentally. “I knew he had ability, but I wasn’t convinced he’d put it all together yet. When he was bumped at the 200, I honestly thought he might give up, but instead he fought hard. He’s grown, he’s matured, and the penny has dropped with him now. I think he has some very big wins ahead,” Melham said.

Trainer Ciaron Maher said the stable had carefully placed the colt and were delighted with the result. “He’s improving every run,” Maher said. “We looked at Adelaide as an option but decided this race was a better fit, and he’s shown us he’s on track for a strong spring. He’s a beautifully bred colt, great physique, and has a bright future.”

Looking forward, Maher said connections would weigh up a path to either the mile of the Caulfield Guineas (1600m) or the sprinting route towards the Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m) in November. “We’ll let him show us which way to go, but either way, he looks every inch a Group 1 horse,” Maher said.