PRIDE OF JENNI IS THE TOAST OF THE TOWN

By Graham Potter | Saturday, May 9, 2026

The ‘excitement machine,’ Pride Of Jenni, did what she does best at the Gold Coast in the Group 2 Hollindale Stakes on Saturday, when she ran her opposition into the ground with her trademark storming, front-running display of pure speed and aggression which carried her out of range of her rivals and on to a another famous, Pride Of Jenni brand-building victory.

It is difficult to describe the impact Pride Of Jenni has on racing enthusiasts when she is ‘on song.’

From hardened, seasoned punters to carefree, casual racegoers … the initial infectious excitement she brings ripples through the crowd as she lays down the law to her rivals in the first half of the race … and builds to culminate in an almost unanimous roar from the gallery when she gets the job done without letting anybody get close enough to threaten her superiority over the concluding stages and goes to the line with the majority of spectators in absolute awe of her performance.

It doesn’t happen every time, of course, but when it does, it brings a level of excitement intensity that few horses can match, and that includes horses that have consistently reached higher levels than her … acknowledged champions … who, perhaps are just too big and too strong … or simply too talented for their opposition … or perhaps just more clinical than her … but, it can be said without fear of contradiction … nobody is more daring.

Jockey Declan Bates, who has ridden Pride Of Jenni on twenty-three occasions, knows exactly what he is talking about when he put Pride Of Jenni’s overriding strength in perspective post-race at the Gold Coast with comments that also put to bed the often asked question of why the other jockeys in the race let Pride Of Jenni get so far ahead.

It was a pretty simple and powerful explanation.

“You couldn’t ride other horse like you ride her. They would have no chance, She’s just made of different stuff, this horse,” stated Bates emphatically.

“Obviously, I have a look at a Plan A in any race, but, with her it’s the feel she is giving me.

“I really just work with her and it’s all about letting her do her thing, especially when she’s really loving it and on song. I knew very early today we were in business.

“It’s the first time since the Queen Elizabeth that she really pinged the lids and really grabbed me and took off. I was happy but, at the same time, I knew I had to manage it now and let her take me along. She was doing it within herself … she wasn’t overdoing it … so I was happy to commit pretty early.

“When you go out you think it is just another race, but then a couple of jockeys who are not riding will come up to you and wish say good luck to you when you are walking out … and that never happens, so there is a bit of an aura around her.

‘It’s just amazing to be part of.”

Trainer Ciaron Maher told how he felt as Pride Of Jenni left the gates.

“When she stepped well, I thought … you know pretty quickly … I thought, whoa, that was nice. We might be on today,” said Maher.

“You would think the Gold Coast track would suit her style and it certainly did.

“She’s sprinting flat out from the 1000m. She’s used to doing that, being off the bridle a long way out. It’s just fantastic.

“She has got a great constitution. She is a beautiful mare. She’s just a marvel.”

Pride Of Jenni will now go to the Group 1 Doomben Cup on May 23 … a race in which she finished down the field last year.

“She looks in better form this year,” was Maher’s parting shot.

More articles