“Awesome again”: Stern Idol reigns supreme in Thackeray Steeplechase test

Champion jumper Stern Idol defied multiple challengers to win the Thackeray Steeplechase (3450m) at Warrnambool on Sunday.

Stern Idol in full flight. Picture: Brett Holburt/Racing Photos via Getty Images

Champion jumper Stern Idol defied multiple challengers to win the Thackeray Steeplechase (3450m) at Warrnambool on Sunday.

Ciaron Maher-trained Stern Idol dictated the race in trademark style under jockey Steven Pateman and absorbed a 1600m assault from Leaderboard and Fabalot to win by 12 lengths.

Fabalot kept the winner honest early before Leaderboard loomed large with four fences to jump but Stern Idol cleared the obstacles the better under pressure.

“He was awesome again,” Pateman said in the mounting yard interview on Racing.com.

“A bit of pressure early but he actually jumped his way to the front, got into rhythm.

“He jumped beautiful and that’s what won him the race … too good.”

Pateman sealed a Sunday jumps treble with a sixth Thackeray success.

The bookies took him on, his rivals took him on, but Stern Idol was too big, too brave & too strong 💪

Stern Idol careers away to win the Thackeray Steeplechase.@[e-mail]/Rep8AdN4JR

— Racing.com (@Racing) July 6, 2025

Stern Idol also delivered Maher his sixth Thackeray triumph.

Earlier, Bevan Laming-trained Right Now, a $20 outsider, ploughed through the heavy track to cause a boil over in the Kevin Lafferty Hurdle (3200m) under Arron Lynch.

Right Now travelled nicely midfield and moved up to control the race as $1.40 favourite Loft, previously unbeaten over hurdles, jumped the third-last flight awkwardly and lost momentum

Loft fought back to clear the last and turned for home with Right Now but peaked on the run.

Originally published as “Awesome again”: Stern Idol reigns supreme in Thackeray Steeplechase test