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.”