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Champion mare Pride Of Jenni added another remarkable chapter to her extraordinary career on Sunday, becoming the first horse in 56 years to win the Group 2 $500,000 John F. Feehan Stakes (1600m) three years in succession with a trademark front-running display at Caulfield.
The evergreen nine-year-old resumed in style for trainer Ciaron Maher and jockey Declan Bates, overcoming a quality field first-up to score as the $1.85 favourite and prove she remains a major force heading into the Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival.
Already a dual Empire Rose Stakes winner and former Champions Mile heroine, Pride Of Jenni once again produced the racing pattern that has made her one of Australia’s most popular and recognisable horses.
Rolling straight to the lead, the daughter of Pride Of Dubai controlled proceedings before turning the pressure on her rivals from the 600m.
Despite resuming from a spell following her brave runner-up finish in the Group 1 Doomben Cup during the Queensland Winter Carnival, Pride Of Jenni looked every bit as sharp as ever, pulling away in the straight to defeat Treasurethe Moment ($8) by 1½ lengths, while rank outsider Pounding ($71) boxed on for third another 1¾ lengths away.
The winning time of 1:35.32 capped another superb performance from the mare, whose career earnings now sit beyond $12.8 million.
Pride Of Jenni Defies Age with Another Elite Performance
Trainer Maher was glowing in his assessment of the veteran mare after her history-making victory, revealing she had returned in outstanding order following her winter break.
“She looked comfortable, even more comfortable in the run,” he told the media post-win.
“She must have felt good underneath him because he hadn’t gone for her before the turn which normally he would have.
“No surprise. We were very rapt with her since the winter.”
Maher credited the extensive team involved in managing the star mare, who continues to perform at the highest level despite being at an age when many mares are long retired to stud.
“Can’t thank the whole team at Cranbourne enough. That’s where she spends most of her time,” he said.
“She’s just phenomenal. She’s such a great mare.
“To have her back at this age and arguably in as good a form as ever, it is quite remarkable.”
The Feehan Stakes success was also another highlight in a huge Manikato Stakes Day dominance for Maher, with the leading trainer recording four winners across the program, including wins in the JRA Cup with Royal Supremacy and Scarborough Stakes with Over The Bridge.
Bates Never Reached for the Whip
Regular rider Declan Bates knows Pride Of Jenni better than anyone and said he entered Sunday’s assignment full of confidence after her work at home.
“She’s just made of different stuff. We know it now,” he said.
“All the signs at home were that she’s as good as ever. I really came here full of confidence at how well she was going.”
The jockey revealed just how easily the mare travelled throughout the contest.
“Once again, Ciaron Maher producing her on the day,” he added.
“It was for me to just sit and steer and enjoy the ride.
“I didn’t even go for the whip in the end. I could feel her.
“She was giving me everything. I felt like I was always winning.”
Bates believes Pride Of Jenni’s willingness to keep finding under pressure remains her defining trait.
“For a horse to race the way she does, time and time again she finds more which most horses simply don’t have,” he said.
Spring Options Open
Following Sunday’s dominant first-up success, attention now turns to what could be another lucrative spring campaign for the fan favourite.
Among the options under consideration is a return to Flemington for the Group 1 Empire Rose Stakes (1600m) on VRC Derby Day, October 31, a race Pride Of Jenni famously won in both 2023 and 2025.
She could also target the Group 1 Champions Mile (1600m) a week later, while the Group 1 Champions Stakes (2000m) also remains under consideration depending on how her preparation unfolds.
Bookmakers were quick to rally behind the grand mare following her record-breaking Feehan Stakes victory.
Traders at Ladbrokes responded by trimming Pride Of Jenni’s 2026 Empire Rose Stakes odds from $7 into $3.50, immediately installing her among the leading contenders to secure a third victory in the Flemington mares’ feature.
Empire Rose Stakes 2026 Odds
| 1. Autumn Glow | ||
| 2. Pride Of Jenni | ||
| 3. Sheza Alibi | ||
| 4. Idle Flyer | ||
| 5. Changing Colours |
The market also tightened around her chances in two other major spring targets, with her Champions Mile quote firming from $11 into $9, while her Champions Stakes odds were slashed from $21 into $13.
Rivals Left Chasing
While Pride Of Jenni stole the show, the Matt Laurie-trained Treasurethe Moment produced an encouraging performance in second, while veteran galloper Pounding surprised many with his effort for third.
The biggest disappointment of the race was Lindsay Park’s old warhorse Mr Brightside ($5), who weakened after struggling to match Pride Of Jenni’s relentless tempo eventually crossing 6.6 lengths back last.
Co-trainer Will Hayes said the stable would assess the champion gelding after the below-par effort.
“We certainly know he’s a lot better than what he put out there today,” Hayes said.
“Early signs are fine.
“Willo (jockey, Craig Williams) actually said it’s the best he felt; we just know he can let down better.
“Maybe he needs more cut out of the track.”
For now, however, the spotlight belongs squarely to Pride Of Jenni.
At nine years of age, the champion mare continues to defy convention, and if Sunday’s historic third consecutive Feehan Stakes victory was any indication, she remains every bit as capable of adding further Group 1 silverware to an already glittering résumé this spring.
