After a challenging few months, Glen Thompson has enjoyed a career highlight, securing his first Group 1 victory thanks to the impressive performance of Benagil at Morphettville.

Under a perfectly judged ride by Mark Zahra, Benagil stormed to victory in Saturday’s Australasian Oaks (2000m), delivering Thompson a timely boost after a tumultuous season.

At the beginning of the 2024-25 season, Thompson partnered with Mike Moroney as co-trainer, after previously serving as his assistant since 2021. However, following Moroney’s passing in February, Thompson assumed full responsibility for Ballymore Stables, quickly landing a double at Caulfield which included a win by Benagil in the VOBIS Guineas.

His world was again rocked recently when Ballymore Stables was absorbed by Lindsay Park, though Thompson was handed a lifeline, securing 20 boxes at Flemington to continue his career independently.

“It’s been a tough few weeks, but I’ve just been trying to focus on today,” Thompson said.

“We got her here in as good an order as we could, and I thought she was spot on today and she raced like it.”

Starting a $3.10 favourite with betting sites, Benagil posted a dominant 1-¼ length victory over $201 outsider Sweltering, with Polymnia ($4.60) finishing a short half-head away in third.

Thompson said Benagil had always shown ability but had taken significant strides this preparation.

She previously competed at Group 1 level in the spring, finishing a luckless fifth in the Thousand Guineas at Caulfield, and confirmed her top form when running second to Treasurethe Moment in the Vinery Stud Stakes (2000m) at Rosehill earlier this month.

“She came back as a three-year-old in the spring and was very unlucky in the Thousand Guineas and those sort of races, and she’s just gone to another level this time,” Thompson said.

“There was a little bit of pressure there to stay in Sydney and run in the Oaks, but this was a much better option for her, and she proved us right today.

“It’s good to get Mark on, he’s one of the best in the land, so I was very lucky to get him on board.”

Thompson said Benagil could head north for the Queensland winter carnival but would first assess how she recovers from Saturday’s effort.

Meanwhile, Zahra was full of praise for Thompson’s management of the talented filly throughout her long campaign.

“He’s a great trainer, Glen,” Zahra said.

“He’s had times on his own before and is training by himself now.

“He needs the support, but he’s just done a great job with his filly, and she looked fantastic.

“She’s gone from Melbourne then to Sydney, then back to here.

“It’s a long prep, and you’ve got to be a good trainer to be able to peak every time.

“She looked great today, and she flogged them.”