Guess who’s back, back again?
Jenni’s back, tell a friend.
Pride Of Jenni roared back on to the spring carnival agenda with a pulsating Group 2 Feehan Stakes (1600m) title defence on Friday night at The Valley from favourite Treasurethe Moment.
Attrition and Tom Kitten rounded out the top four but The Valley roared as Pride Of Jenni strode to victory in bold trademark fashion for Ciaron Maher and Declan Bates.
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“I said to (owner) Tony (Ottobre), she just amazes me. To do what she can do,” Maher said.
“They’re special moments. She’s an elite horse and she can test the best of them.
“Dec Bates knows her so well. I was rapt to have him back on. Full credit to Tony to have the courage to race her on. She’s 100 per cent sound and really enjoying her racing.
“I remember standing here last year when Jenni raced Mr Brightside, the crowd starting roaring 1000m from home, there’s no better feeling.”
Pride Of Jenni wound back the clock, pinched a five-length break in the back straight, cut back to two around the bend as Treasurethe Moment threatened, and then kicked again to hold the margin.
Feehan Stakes | Pride Of Jenni
Back with a BANG! 💥 The 3x G1 winner winds back the clock to go back-to-back in the Feehan with @decbates back in the saddle for @cmaherracing 💪
📺 Ch. 78/68, Foxtel 529, Kayo or via our app
REPLAYS: https://t.co/ZIa4a034rypic.twitter.com/1tqoIkUAo6
— Racing.com (@Racing) September 26, 2025
The 10,000-strong Valley crowd lifted at the 600m and only got louder for Pride Of Jenni.
Bates rode every roar.
“I think this is the first time I’ve ever actually heard the crowd because normally it’s just me and her, and all I can hear is her,” Bates said.
“But the crowd at The Valley here tonight, they must have gave some roar because I could hear at to 600 (metres) … what a horse, what a horse.
“I felt something sort of close enough, so that’s where I gave her that bit of a squeeze, and she really lengthened down the side … and when she does that, that’s when she’s really on.
“So I knew at that point we were in business, and she’s just a special horse.”
Pride Of Jenni opens up a big gap on Treasurethe Moment. Picture: Getty Images
Ottobre gushed with pride.
“She’s a champion,” Ottobre said.
“We’ve got greay people around her … Ciaron is absolutely a superstar and to do this with an eight-year-old mare is unbelievable … a lot of accolades must go to Ciaron … she’s a marvel.”
Treasurethe Momont was gallant in defeat, coming back from a colic scare.
Pride Of Jenni is likely to travel to Sydney for the Group 1 King Charles III Stakes (1600m) next month then return to Melbourne for the Champions Mile (1600m) at Flemington.
Bookies cashed in early on the card, with the first five favourites all going under including odds-on Vinrock unplaced in the Group 2 Stutt Stakes (1600m).
The Group 1-winning Yulong-owned colt ducked his head as the barrier opened and settled worse than midfield as a result.
Vinrock finished off well but never threatened, as second favourite West Of Swindon surged to victory for trainer Ciaron Maher and jockey Ben Melham.
Phillip Stokes-trained Snow Mercy won the Group 3 Scarborough Stakes (1200m) from a luckless Memo and eye-catcher Point Barrow.
Favourite Esha tired out of contention around the bend after being pressured in the lead.