Ciaron Maher‘s highly anticipated Pride Of Jenni failed to deliver in Saturday’s Australian Cup 2025 at Flemington, with stablemate Light Infantry Man producing a stunning upset.
Light Infantry Man winning the 2025 Australian Cup at Flemington by two lengths. Photo: Ultimate Racing Photos.
The $2.5 million Group 1 Australian Cup (2000m) saw Light Infantry Man ($9) storm to a two-length victory, leaving Pride Of Jenni ($3.80) trailing as the mare crossed over 15 lengths back second last as the beaten second-up favourite.
“Light Infantry Man was too strong in the 2025 Australian Cup winning by two-lengths,” a racing analyst from Races.com.au reported.
Ethan Brown delivered a masterful ride on the six-year-old Light Infantry Man, capitalising on the race’s fierce pace set by his better fancied stablemate Pride Of Jenni.
“It was sedate early but, as Jenni does, she picked it up a long way out,” Brown told Racing.com.
“He was always going to relish it this bloke. 2000 metres was never a worry for him, but all the cards fell our way today.
“It’s a long straight that Flemington straight, but he really appreciates being ridden like that and I’m super rapt to get the job done today.”
Pride Of Jenni, who was expected to dominate, faded dramatically on the turn, ultimately finishing second last. Brown seized the opportunity, pushing Light Infantry Man to the front in the straight.
Light Infantry Man crossed the finish line two lengths ahead of Deny Knowledge ($11) who rallied off an on-speed run, while James Cummings‘ Melbourne Cup fourth placed mare Zardozi ($4.60) finished strongly for third in an excellent effort with improvement pending as she gets out over further later in the year.
“Very, very good. She’s already looking for further,” Zardozi’s rider Jamie Melham said.
“She was good, but the winner was too sharp.”
The French-bred Light Infantry Man, racing third-up, proved his stamina over 2000m, securing his second Group 1 victory.
“I was pretty confident actually,” Maher said when asked how he thought Light Infantry Man would handle the 2000m.
“I knew he’d enjoy that good tempo because of his races in Europe and he’s just in career-best form.”
Maher celebrated his first Australian Cup win, praising Light Infantry Man’s performance and the team’s efforts.
“The team have done a great job with him, Browny rode him beautifully,” Maher added.
“When he ran first-up I said if he rides Flemington like he rode him at Caulfield (it would be good).
“He’s a strong horse and can sustain it.
“I’m so rapt for the ownership group, John and Ozzie. Will Bourne just keeps finding these horses. Big thanks to him and just to the team.
“He just keeps improving, he put the writing on the wall in Perth. It’s fantastic, He won quite well.”
Pride Of Jenni’s disappointing performance left jockey Craig Newitt perplexed.
“A bit of a head-scratcher,” Newitt admitted.
“She flew the gates, and I was happy with the first couple of furlongs, and she had travelled well, and we got to the 1200 (metres) and they were still there, and I let her slide a little bit, but she was well and truly beaten at the thousand which was very unlike her.”
2025 Australian Cup Results
| Finish | No. | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Margin | Bar. | Weight | Penalty | Starting Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | LIGHT INFANTRY MAN (FR) | Ciaron Maher | Ethan Brown | 4 | 59kg | $9 | |||
| 2 | 9 | DENY KNOWLEDGE (IRE) | Anthony & Sam Freedman | Craig Williams | 2L | 3 | 57kg | $11 | ||
| 3 | 8 | ZARDOZI | James Cummings | Ms Jamie Melham | 2.46L | 9 | 57kg | $4.60 | ||
| 4 | 7 | ATISHU (NZ) | Chris Waller | Blake Shinn | 2.96L | 7 | 57kg | $5.50 | ||
| 5 | 4 | MIDDLE EARTH (GB) | Ciaron Maher | Mark Zahra | 7.21L | 8 | 59kg | $6 | ||
| 6 | 10 | FEROCE (NZ) | Dominic Sutton | Billy Egan | 9.71L | 5 | 54.5kg | $13 | ||
| 7 | 3 | YOUNG WERTHER (NZ) | Danny O’Brien | Daniel Stackhouse | 13.21L | 10 | 59kg | $81 | ||
| 8 | 2 | ATTRITION | Mitchell Freedman | John Allen | 14.21L | 6 | 59kg | $21 | ||
| 9 | 6 | PRIDE OF JENNI | Ciaron Maher | Craig Newitt | 15.71L | 1 | 57kg | $3.80F | ||
| 10 | 5 | SHAIYHAR (IRE) | Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young | Daniel Moor | 17.71L | 2 | 59kg | $81 |
Table Credit: Racing Australia.
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