Pride Of Jenni returned to the Flemington spotlight in style, producing a throwback performance to reclaim the Empire Rose Stakes in dominant fashion.
The mare famously broke the field open in the 2023 edition before going on to win two more Group 1s and the All-Star Mile, achievements that saw her crowned Australia’s Champion Racehorse of the Year for 2023-24.
Twelve months later, her spring campaign had not reached the same heights and speculation had begun regarding her future. However, the Pride Of Jenni that turned up on Saturday looked every bit the champion of old.
Sent straight to the front by Declan Bates, Pride Of Jenni ($4.80) ripped the race apart mid-stages, leading by a big margin before powering home to score by 4-½ lengths over Leica Lucy ($4.20), with On Display ($26) finishing a neck away in third.
Bates had ridden the mare during her breakout runs in 2023 and early 2024 before losing the ride after the Cox Plate. Craig Newitt partnered her later in the autumn before connections returned to Bates for this preparation.
Pride Of Jenni began her spring with victory in the Feeham Stakes at Moonee Valley, followed by a gritty effort when sixth in the King Charles III Stakes in Sydney.
For Bates, Saturday’s win was personal.
“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 admitted the mare’s calm demeanor pre-race left him unsure what to expect — until the race began.
“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.”
Bates said her style makes her unlike any other horse he has ridden.
“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.”
