Pride of Jenni Wins G1 Empire Rose for a Second Time
Champion mare Pride of Jenni (8m Pride of Dubai x Sancerre, by O’Reilly) won the Group I VRC Empire Rose Stakes (1600m) for the first time back in 2023 and she turned back the clock to win the $1million fillies and mares feature again at Flemington on Saturday.
Trained by Ciaron Maher and ridden by Declan Bates, Pride of Jenni relived the glory days with a typically cavalier front running performance that left her rivals gasping.
She set the tempo from the outset and was never challenged going on to win by four and a half lengths over New Zealand Oaks winner Leica Lucy.
“I’m ecstatic and just so appreciative and respectful,” Pride Of Jenni’s trainer Ciaron Maher said.
“She’s an amazing horse. For her to continually do what she does never ceases to amaze me.
“I can’t thank the team enough, and Dec, who rides her fantastic.
“Fair play to Tony (Ottobre, owner). I know he’s got some stick for not retiring her and racing on, but the mare’s happy and sound and she loves doing what she does. There’s nothing better than winning a Group One. I just want to give the horse a pat and a hug, and slap Dec on the back.”
Bates has been in the saddle for all of Pride Of Jenni’s four Group One victories.
“She is amazing,” Bates said. “She cantered around to the gates so relaxed, which is actually a bit unlike her, so I was a bit unsure coming around. But after 100m in the race, I knew we were winning. 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.”
Pride Of Jenni has now had 42 starts for 12 wins, 12 placings and $11.4 million in stakes.
A $100,000 Inglis Classic purchase from the Segenhoe Stud draft for Tony and Lynn Ottobre’s Cape Schanck Stud, Pride of Jenni was bred by Trelawney Stud and is the best of two winners from winning O’Reilly mare Sancerre, a daughter of Group I Queensland Oaks winner Vouvray.
Her sire Pride of Dubai is unbeatable value this spring at a fee of $27,500.