Despite the conclusion of the Spring Carnival’s major races, Ciaron Maher is still pursuing feature race glory.
The trainer, who conquered The Everest ($20 million) and trained the Melbourne Cup trifecta, is aiming for a third consecutive victory in the $1 million Group 1 CF Orr Stakes, to be run at Sandown this Saturday, November 13, 2026.
Maher secured the first running of the Orr Stakes as Victoria’s final Group 1 of the year with Jimmysstar. This followed his stablemate Another Wil’s win in the last Orr Stakes as Australia’s first feature race of 2025.
Jimmysstar and Another Wil are among the 13 entries for Saturday’s feature, along with stablemate Warnie.
Jimmysstar triumphed in last year’s Orr Stakes after winning the Russell Balding Stakes. Despite finishing seventh at $3.80 in his most recent start, Maher is adamant that the powerful gelding, winner of the Group 1 Manikato Stakes on September 27, remains in top form.
“I think he’s going equally as good,” Maher said when asked to compare him to this time last year.
“He’s probably going better than his prep in between and I think he’s probably going as good as last spring.
“With a horse like him, you just need things to go your way.”
Jimmysstar will again face Angel Capital, the runner-up in last year’s Orr Stakes. Other potential rivals include Godolphin pair Beiwacht and Pericles, Tatt’s Tiara winner Splash Back, and Stradbroke Handicap winner War Machine.
Jimmysstar is aiming to join some Australian racing greats as the Orr Stakes returns to Sandown, a track that hosted most editions of the race between 1966 and 1996.
Only four horses have won the Orr Stakes more than once. Manikato (1979-81) and Vo Rogue (1988-90) each completed a hat-trick when the race was previously run at Sandown, while Lord (1959/60) and Typhoon Tracy (2010/11) are the dual winners.
Jimmysstar has recorded three of his four Group 1 wins at Caulfield, the modern-day home of the Orr Stakes, but Maher is enthusiastic about the gelding having the opportunity to race on Sandown’s wide home straight.
“The bigger the track the better for him. I think Sandown won’t be any excuse,” Maher said.
An Orr Stakes victory would mark Maher’s 71st Group 1 win and his seventh of a Spring Carnival that was highlighted by Melbourne Cup success with Point Of Law.
Maher had previously won The Everest with Tempted. His other Group 1 wins this spring came via the Coolmore Stud Stakes with The Next Episode, the Thousand Guineas with Saintly Dancer, and The Might And Power with Land Legend.
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