Pride Of Jenni back to her best in 2025 Empire Rose Stakes
Just when it appeared her best may have passed, Pride Of Jenni delivered a vintage front-running exhibition to reclaim the Group 1 Empire Rose Stakes at Flemington.
The mare’s fearless racing style made her one of the stars of the 2023 spring, where she claimed this race before adding two more Group 1s and the All-Star Mile, achievements that earned her national champion honours.
Her arrival at this year’s Melbourne Cup Carnival came with more unknowns — but the Pride Of Jenni that turned up on Saturday looked as bold and untouchable as ever.
Ridden confidently by Declan Bates, Pride Of Jenni ($4.80) surged clear early and ran her rivals off their feet, scoring by a comprehensive 4-½ lengths from Leica Lucy ($4.20), with On Display ($26) filling third.
Bates had partnered the mare during her historic run last spring before losing the ride after the Cox Plate, with other jockeys taking over during her autumn campaign. The stable elected to bring Bates back into the fold this season.
She opened her spring with a win in the Feeham Stakes and followed it with a solid sixth in the King Charles III Stakes.
The result meant more than most for Bates.
“She was retired, I was sacked, and that was all good, everyone was OK, but to be standing here, winning another Group 1 is making me emotional,” Bates said.
He said the race was effectively over shortly after the start.
“After 100 metres in the race I knew we were winning,” Bates said.
“She got to her top nicely and kept extending every time I asked, I just knew there was nothing that could run us down.”
“She did get tired late but the job was done, she’s an absolute warrior of a horse.”
He also highlighted her rare stamina and racing attributes.
“You can do things on her that you just can’t do on other horses.
“Her ability to sustain a gallop is freakish, for her to keep coming back and doing it year after year, it’s such a credit to everyone involved.
“Ciaron’s done an amazing job to keep getting her back.
Tony (Ottobre) and Lynn, wonderful owners who absolutely adore her and to be a part of this horse, it’s amazing.”
More Racing News
Warnie flies late to win The Supernova 2025
With a composed ride inspired by Mark Zahra, jockey Thomas Stockdale steered Warnie to a breakthrough victory in the lucrative The Supernova (1400m) at Pakenham. It was a signature moment for Stockdale, who delivered a tactically brilliant performance as the Ciaron Maher-trained runner stormed to victory in Southside Racing’s second slot...
Ingham triumph puts Yorkshire in 2026 Doncaster Mile mix
Tom Charlton may have been only five years old when John O’Shea secured the 2000 Villiers Stakes, but on Saturday the duo jointly celebrated Yorkshire’s commanding victory in the modern equivalent, The Ingham (1600m), at Randwick. The triumph delivered O’Shea a fourth win in the prestigious race and marked Charlton’s first...
Weeping Woman too good in the 2025 Razor Sharp Handicap
Joe Pride’s team fired on all cylinders on Saturday, with six runners producing two wins, three seconds and a third across three states, including a dominant stable quinella in the Listed Razor Sharp Handicap at Randwick. Weeping Woman ($2.60 fav) finished strongest to overhaul Coal Crusher ($6), only 35 minutes after...
Taramansour provides locals with a win in the Pakenham Cup 2025
Taramansour produced a remarkable form reversal to hand Phillip Stokes his first victory in the Pakenham Cup, delivering an emotional local triumph. Stokes, who splits his time between his Morphettville operation and his Pakenham base, has had the Cup on his radar since establishing himself at the training centre in 2019. On...
Bargain buy Where’s The Circus dominates 2025 Inglis Nursery
Jean Van Overmeire made the right call in giving up a full provincial book at Newcastle to focus on a single Randwick mount, with Where’s The Circus landing a stunning upset in the Inglis Nursery. The filly, picked up online for just $1250, had impressed Van Overmeire when winning a recent...
Kris Lees sets sights on another summer strike
Kris Lees has frequently struck during Sydney’s summer feature program, and he will again field a strong hand across Randwick’s stakes races on Saturday. Lees’ achievements over the past decade include victories in The Ingham with Loch Eagle and Sense Of Occasion, as well as Razor Sharp Handicap wins with Special...
Yorkshire out to make a summer statement in 2025 The Ingham
John O’Shea’s first major breakthrough as a solo trainer came 25 years ago when Grey And Gold captured the Villiers Stakes. He added another victory with On A High and later won the race again in its rebranded form as The Ingham (1600m) in 2022 with Kirwin’s Lane. Now a decorated horseman...
2025 Pakenham Cup: Browne’s roll the dice one more time
Emma-Lee and David Browne will “roll the dice” one more time with Statuario as they search for a fairytale hometown victory in the Listed Pakenham Cup (2500m). The Kiwi trainers shifted to Victoria in 2022 and settled into Pakenham last season, where a local Cup triumph would be particularly meaningful —...
Fox on the hunt of 2025 The Supernova win
Emma-Lee and David Browne will “roll the dice” one more time with Statuario as they search for a fairytale hometown victory in the Listed Pakenham Cup (2500m). The Kiwi trainers shifted to Victoria in 2022 and settled into Pakenham last season, where a local Cup triumph would be particularly meaningful —...
Choice weather forecast for Litt duo in the 2025 Razor Sharp Handicap
Trainer Richard Litt is hoping Sydney’s pending wet weather plays directly into the hands of his runners Barber and Romeo’s Choice when they contest the Razor Sharp Handicap at Randwick. Both horses are expected to appreciate any give in the track, and Litt believes soft conditions could elevate Romeo’s Choice in...