Pride Of Jenni is like the girlfriend you never want to lose for Declan Bates.
But sometimes you just have to take a break to make the relationship stronger, which is what it is going into Saturday’s King Charles III Stakes.
“We have had a couple of break-ups, and the last one was disappointing, I’m not going to lie,” Bates said of Pride Of Jenni.
“That’s racing, you move on. It is just business.”
“But it was great to get back with her.”
Pride Of Jenni’s owner Tony Ottobre and Bates are good friends but after last year’s Cox Plate there was a period of no talkies.
“It took until Christmas for us to communicate,” Ottobre said. “We sent Christmas greetings and then we were all right in the new year.”
“I put Declan on when people didn’t know him, so we have been through the good times together.”
“It isn’t meant to be personal, I just want what is best for Jenni.”
Feehan Stakes | Pride Of Jenni
Back with a BANG! 💥 The 3x G1 winner winds back the clock to go back-to-back in the Feehan with @decbates back in the saddle for @cmaherracing 💪
📺 Ch. 78/68, Foxtel 529, Kayo or via our app
REPLAYS: https://t.co/ZIa4a034ry pic.twitter.com/1tqoIkUAo6— Racing.com (@Racing) September 26, 2025
Bates has been what’s best for Pride Of Jenni and has been in the saddle for her most famous victories, including the Queen Elizabeth Stakes and All Star Mile in 2024.
Of his six wins, half have been at Group 1 level, and Bates just fits with her so well and has the style right.
“When Declan was on her in the Feehan Stakes the other night, he was just moulded to her,” Ottobre told Betsy.
“It’s like they are meant to be together.”
The free-wheeling Pride Of Jenni can be the toughest of rides, because overdoing it, even a tiny bit, can result in defeat. Bates has been second on her five times and never by more than a length, such are the small margins between winning and losing.
He looks back on last year’s King Charles when Pride Of Jenni was gunned down late by Ceolwulf and takes some learnings.
“I have sat down and watched it a few times in the past couple of days, and there is something I would do differently,” Bates said. “You are always learning, and with her, it’s a lot about riding her with how she feels.”
“She is always going to lead, and she always gives you a good kick. I just have to get it right, so she has something to fight with at the end of the race.”
Bates did that perfectly in the Feehan Stakes at Moonee Valley as Pride Of Jenni won by 1-3/4 lengths in her usual dominant, hard-running style.
“You don’t really know until she races, but we thought she was going great,” Bates said.
“But the way she went in Feehan, it was like she is back to going as good as she has ever gone.”
“She’s amazing when she is like this.”
