Pride Of Jenni back in work, ‘happy, healthy and well’

Pride Of Jenni is back in work but Ciaron Maher has no fixed plans for the Group 1 star.

Pride Of Jenni has returned to Ciaron Maher’s stable. Picture: Jay Town/Racing Photos via Getty Images

Pride Of Jenni is back in work but Ciaron Maher has no fixed plans for the Group 1 star.

The champion trainer said the Queen Elizabeth Stakes winner has returned in “good order”.

Pride Of Jenni, whose major include an Empire Rose, Champions Mile and All-Star Mile, completed a mandatory three-month break for an internal bleed last spring at Flemington.

Pride Of Jenni was retired after the setback in the Champions Stakes last year but thrived on rest at owner-breeder Tony Ottobre’s Cape Schanck farm.

“Tony has got a nice farm and they looked after her really well,” Maher said.

“She had her time off, she’s done a bit of training and we’re just going to go slow.

“We won’t drill down on her. I want to see her come back and show everything is in order.”

“This is a demolition job!”

Pride Of Jenni runs her rivals ragged with a fantastic front-running ride by @decbates to win the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes! Via Sistina ran on into second and Mr Brightside finished third. @[e-mail]/tNf2yqaGjl

— Racing NSW (@racing_nsw) April 13, 2024

Maher said Pride Of Jenni has slotted straight back into stable life.

“It’s good to see her happy, healthy and well,” Maher said.

“Her demeanour seems very similar to what it always is.

“You want to make sure every box is ticked before going back to the races but she does seem her old self, very straightforward.

“The first thing is to make sure she’s right. She certainly seems in a very similar headspace.”

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Pride Of Jenni has won eight of 35 starts and $10 million prizemoney.

Meanwhile, Maher remains equally open-minded on multiple Group 1 sprinter Bella Nipotina.

The Everest winner has appreciated a good break.

BELLA NIPOTINA TAKES OUT THE 2024 EVEREST! 🏔️

WHAT A SPECIAL HORSE! @[e-mail]/InnFzFNZ6m

— 7HorseRacing 🐎 (@7horseracing) October 19, 2024

“If she got to Brisbane (winter carnival) possibly, or she doesn’t,” Maher said.

“If she never does another thing again she’s probably done enough.

“She hasn’t had a break for a long time. Her best year was her last year and she basically had two-week breaks all the way through and she had her best year.

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“Coming off a decent break, she’s seven, not getting any younger and done a fair bit of racing, you want to see her come back and want to do it.

“But as I said, if she didn’t do anything she’s done more than most.”

Bella Nipotina has won 11 of 57 starts, four at the highest level, and $22 million prizemoney.

Originally published as Pride Of Jenni back in work, ‘happy, healthy and well’