Faith, patience and Pride

The emotional differences between the inner and outer sanctums are rarely greater than they were when Pride Of Jenni triumphed in the Empire Rose Stakes on Howden Victoria Derby Day. 

Pride Of Jenni was the star of the 2023 Melbourne Cup Carnival, as her bold front-running style propelled her into Australian racing’s elite after winning the Empire Rose Stakes and the TAB Champions’ Mile within just seven days.

However, the mare’s career was threatened a year later when she bled after trailing the field in the 2024 TAB Champions’ Mile, resulting in a mandatory three-month ban.

Owner Tony Ottobre’s love for the mare, named after his late daughter Jenni, initially led him to announce her retirement from racing. Yet, after discussions with trainer Ciaron Maher, she was brought back into training for 2025.

A first-up win in the Feehan Stakes at The Valley was a precursor to her Flemington triumph, drawing first gasps of anticipation as she opened her trademark lead before cheers abounded, with Pride Of Jenni comfortably beating the odds-on favourite Treasurethe Moment.

There’s nothing quite like a grand front-runner opening a huge lead in front of 86,112 fans at one of the world’s premier racecourses.

Pride Of Jenni kept up the pressure on her rivals, who faltered in the straight, allowing Bates to celebrate the incredible win with the massive crowd on the way back to scale.

While Pride Of Jenni brought pure joy to an already unbelievable day’s racing, her latest deed vindicated Ottobre’s unwavering faith in his champion.

“When she did that, it showed she was back to her best,” Ottobre said. “She smashed them out of the park.

“People were putting a fair bit of pressure on us from the outside; it was a barrage at one stage there.

“Ninety-five per cent of the racing public were fantastic and appreciated what they saw and they were excited by it, and we were too.

“Everyone who was there was happy to see her back. It was great to see her do that.”

Ottobre said a slower start was a key part of Pride Of Jenni’s resurgence to her previous form, which also saw her win the All-Star Mile and Queen Elizabeth Stakes in 2024.

He explained that the amount of force horses generate when jumping from the stalls places tremendous stress on the inner of their three hamstrings, which produce significant forward power.

“Declan is under instructions not to push her, but to let her find her feet and get her home,” Ottobre said.

“We asked Declan to jump her out a bit slower than he’s used to.

“When horses take off, their back hamstrings take the force of the jump, and that’s the one she’s had a little bit of trouble with.”

As for the future, racegoers can expect to see Pride Of Jenni at least twice along the famous Flemington 1600m course in 2026.

Ottobre said Pride Of Jenni is currently enjoying a break at his Cape Schanck farm but will soon start pre-training for what is likely to be her final year on the racetrack.

A third Empire Rose Stakes victory would be a thrill for Ottobre before the mare begins her breeding career.

“Ciaron will decide what to do in the autumn, and he’s looking at the All-Star Mile, but if she’s not right, she won’t race. That’s a given,” Ottobre said.

“She might get in foal in the spring, but I’d love to target the Empire Rose again.

“My absolute goal would be to take it pretty easy right now, keep her happy and maybe take on the Empire Rose again in the spring.

“She doesn’t have to prove anything. She’s won enough money and done everything, but if we can knock off another Empire Rose, it would be the perfect thing to finish off on.”

However, prospective broodmare buyers need not dial Ottobre’s number.

“She’s not for sale, no matter how much they offer,” Ottobre said.

“It wouldn’t make sense to sell a champion named after my daughter. Her home is here on the farm.”