‘I’ll go by what Ciaron Maher says’: Owner Tony Ottobre on Pride Of Jenni’s road to the King Charles III, Cox Plate … or both $5m Group 1 targets

Passionate owner Tony Ottobre has deferred ‘total control’ to trainer Ciaron Maher to decide the Pride Of Jenni’s spring campaign. One thing he can confirm, however ... he’s off X for good.

Passionate owner Tony Ottobre has deferred “total control” to master trainer Ciaron Maher to determine Pride Of Jenni’s spring campaign.

Runner-up Pride Of Jenni answered critics with a trademark gallant frontrunning display at Flemington last Saturday in the Group 1 Makybe Diva Stakes, only bettered by champion Mr Brightside.

The thrilling performance reignited the rivalry with Mr Brightside towards the Group 1 King Charles III Stakes in Sydney on October 19 and Cox Plate seven days later in Melbourne.

“Ciaron has got total control,” Ottobre said.

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“I always wanted the King Charles but at the end of the day if Ciaron says ‘you know what Tony, we may not go there’, I’ll go by what Ciaron says.

“You’d be an absolute fool to not follow what Ciaron Maher’s suggestions are, I’m not a fool so I’ll let him decide.”

Maher, rapt with Pride Of Jenni last Saturday, erred on declaring future plans on race day.

“She’s looking like 2000m is probably going to be her sweet spot but we can work that out,” Maher said.

“We’re always going to the Cox Plate, but the King Charles as well, could still be the plan.”

A long neck separated Mr Brightside and Pride Of Jenni at Flemington with more than four lengths back to third-placed Antino.

Warmonger and favourite Via Sistina rounded out the top five, beaten 5.7 and 6.4 lengths respectively.

Mr Brightside the first horse to go back-to-back in the Crown Makybe Diva Stakes since 1956/57!

🎥 @Racingpic.twitter.com/llKgBcPwda

— Victoria Racing Club (@FlemingtonVRC) September 14, 2024

Heart on sleeve Ottobre, a former jockey-turned-owner/breeder, was relieved Pride Of Jenni bounced back last Saturday.

Pride Of Jenni led the field in the Group 1 Memsie Stakes first-up at Caulfield but faded in the home straight.

The disappointment, attributed to a strong head wind and a slight temperature, sparked a wave of social media criticism against the multiple Group 1 and All-Star Mile winner.

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“They got stuck into her a bit unfairly because she’s a quality horse,” Ottobre said Saturday.

“If you’re not going to let her have a bad run, without bagging the s**t out of her, well that’s boohoo on you, most of the people intelligent enough realise she’s a quality horse.

“The best horses are those two that finished first and second … it’s them and a space to the rest, I’m happy for Ben (Hayes) and the team, I think Mr Brightside is an absolute champion.

“I’m really happy with my horse because I know she’s a great horse and what makes her great is she’s out in front, she’s into the wind and she’s making everything happen … taking it to the nth degree in strength and fitness.

“If I was to go to war with a horse I’d want Pride Of Jenni, I’d want to be on that one.”

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The Memsie fallout triggered Ottobre to deactivate an X account (formerly Twitter) he started to share the Pride Of Jenni ownership journey with followers.

“When they started bagging her after that run … I thought it’s gone a bit too far,” Ottobre said.

“I’m 68 years old, I’ve never been on social media and I thought I need to get off now.

“In one way I do feel sorry for people who enjoyed the updates … I want to apologise to them because I would’ve loved to have kept it going but unfortunately the people with IQs of about 50 got the better of me and I had to shut it down.

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“Will I go back to it? No I won’t … you got to pull back sometimes and say you know what, if it’s making you sad don’t do it.

“If it’s making you unhappy don’t do it, because I’m trying to be happy and that’s what I am.

“I’m just a happy persona and I enjoy the people I associate with, I love my golf, I love my friends and I love my horses.”

Originally published as ‘I’ll go by what Ciaron Maher says’: Owner Tony Ottobre on Pride Of Jenni’s road to the King Charles III, Cox Plate … or both $5m Group 1 targets