Post-race jockey reports from the 2025 William Reid Stakes

This is what the jockeys had to say after the running of the William Reid Stakes at The Valley on Saturday.

Schwarz wins the William Reid Stakes. Photo: Scott Barbour/Getty Images.

Stallion prospect Schwarz has delivered on his group 1 potential with an all-the-way victory in the William Reid Stakes (1200m) at The Valley.

Trained by John O’Shea and Tom Charlton, Schwarz withstood plenty of mid race pressure from She’s Bulletproof before proving too strong late to stave off a late challenge from runner-up Benedetta.

Race favourite Jimmysstarr flashed home late for third after getting well out of his ground in the early stages.

SCHWARZ LEADS ALL THE WAY IN THE WILLIAM REID! 💪

HE GETS THAT GROUP 1 AND BECOMES A STALLION PROSPECT!@RosemontStud@[e-mail]/pWfskw7jJo

— 7HorseRacing 🐎 (@7horseracing) March 22, 2025

Schwarz was ridden to victory by Jamie Mott with the William Reid success following on from his Group 2 Australia Stakes triumph in January.

The four-year-old son of Zoustar’s value has rocketed with the victory with connections banking a highly sought after group 1 success to solidify his stud career.

This is what the riders thought of their mount’s performance in the William Reid Stakes.

1st – SCHWARZ (Jamie Mott) Before the meeting I was a little concerned that the fence might be off by this race. The way the day played out it gave me more confidence that how I’m going to ride him is really going to suit and give him his best chance to win the race. We got pressure early from She’s Bulletproof – he wouldn’t go back from his wide draw – so he did pressure me and he gave me a really strong kick in that going. He was good enough to hold them and it was a terrific win. At about the 100 metre mark, they can come quickly at The Valley so you don’t want to celebrate too early. Hopefully that is not his last win.

2nd – BENEDETTA (Daniel Stackhouse) Massive run by her. The winner got it pretty easy in front, I felt and we had to get on our bike a long way out. Massive run from her and where she finished.

3rd – JIMMYSSTAR (Ethan Brown) Ran enormous. He stepped quite slow today and was on the back foot from there. I thought they were just a bit zippy for him around The Valley and that run shows that he is probably looking for 1400 (metres) now but I take nothing away from him. He ran terrific.

4th – STRETAN ANGEL (Lachlan Neindorf) Brave effort. I was on the back of Benedetta. She travelled up through that ground really well on the bridle and unfortunately then we had to do it off the bridle and she dipped and dived a bit.

5th – SHE’S BULLETPROOF (Craig Williams) She is bulletproof but not when she gets on soft or rain affected ground and that was clear on the track that she had today. To her credit, she took me a lot further than I thought we would go. I’ve been a part of her journey since before she raced and it just shows you where she is at that she went that far without being comfortable in the surface.

6th – RESERVE BANK (Luke Currie) He cost himself at the start. If he jumped away he definitely runs in the money.

7th – REY MAGNERIO (Jye McNeil) Unfortunately on this terrible track he pulled a shoe after the start and I felt at halfway that I was gone but he stuck on for an honest race and hopefully he can get his chance soon.

8th – MAHARBA (Jordan Childs) Didn’t handle those conditions at all. Didn’t get through the track.

9th – ARABIAN SUMMER (Harry Coffey) She was disappointing but she battled to travel today and that is one of her biggest assets. She wasn’t happy and confused in the loose ground, I think.

Originally published as Post-race jockey reports from the 2025 William Reid Stakes