Read what the Jockeys and Trainers said following the Spring Champion Stakes 2025.
Winning Trainer: Joseph Pride
On the win: “We’re part of the way there. Spring Champion, you know, is a very nice race – a Group 1 – but there’s still a lot to be done with him. Bear in mind it’s his first preparation. I thought he just had too much to do at the furlong. He was chasing the favourite, but just the way he pinned his ears back and attacked the line, 2000 metres, no problems at all. A very exciting horse!
“They were going 12.5 the furlong midway through, and he was way back there. Did you think he would be able to rattle over the manner he did because of the tempo up front? I’ve got a lot of confidence in the horse, but it was going to be a big ask from there, and just maybe the track’s playing a little bit more on pace than I would have liked today, but gee, you know, for him to do this in his first preparation is really exciting.”
On what’s next: “He’ll go straight to the paddock now, absolutely no doubt about that. He’ll go to the paddock, and he’s just a really exciting horse, and I can’t wait for the autumn.”
On the team: “Yeah, look, it’s a big effort from everyone at home to get this horse here today and this is just a culmination of, as I say, a lot of hard work.
“I’ve been handed a beautiful horse by the Godolphin and horses like this, they weren’t on my doorstep a couple of years ago. So it’s nice to be working with quality and yeah, it’s a great result. It’d be nice to think we could get him a bit sharper for the autumn and aim at races like the Randwick Guineas, but we’ll worry about all of that later on.”
Winning Jockey: Adam Hyeronimus (Attica)
On the run: “Well, that was my plan. Truth be known, I had a lot of plans, and at the end of every plan I’d made, he was always the winner. And it’s just a matter of how it panned out. Just keep it simple, that was the biggest thing out of my 85 plans. He was still the best horse and I felt he was always going to win, it was just a matter of how it unfolded for us.
“I’ve ridden the second horse and I don’t know if Adrian was trying to play mind games with me through the week but I galloped him and I was like oh geez and when I looked up and he dashed away I was like oh wow. I just kept edging and then at the 150 metres I knew I was always going to pick him up, but for him to do that. and the way he’s won in that fashion. and the times that he’s run, this early in his career it’s very exciting. Very exciting.
On current form: “Things are going fantastic and I’m getting on quality horses like this horse. I’ve won this race before for Godolphin, and I’m thrilled to ride another Group One winner for them. I find with this race, it’s very much the same every year, the best horse generally wins, and it’s one thing my dad instilled into me when I started my riding career: it’s just to keep things simple, keep it basic, and before I come out for the race, I’ve got that to set in my mind – this is the big thing is to make sure you jump make sure you travel and make sure you win.”
Beaten Jockeys:
Nash Rawiller (Shangri La Boy): “He’s a lovely colt. I had to change tact at the start when Jay (Ford – Tambeloa) wanted to lead. He gave me a lovely ride and the way my bloke quickened up the rise, I’m not saying I thought I was home because I’ve been in this game for too long to think that, but I must say I got a surprise when the other horse got to me coming to the line. I think they are two very good colts heading into the new year.”
Andrew Adkins (San Giovanni): “Probably has just come to the end of his preparation, he’s done a good job to get to this level, he’ll come back better.”
Kerrin McEvoy (Officiate): “Just fair.”
Tyler Schiller (Federalist): “He’s a better horse when he can get to the outside and he just didn’t get afforded that today.”
Regan Bayliss (Champagne Hero): “He was a bit disappointing overall, had a nice run midfield, tracked into it from the 550m and thought he’d work to the line a little bit better than that, maybe he’s just a miler.”
Jay Ford (Tambeloa): “Run really well, we were able to give him a positive ride, little bit keen in front but fought on well.”
Tom Sherry (Southern Prince): “He ran great, keeps improving, he’ll definitely get a little bit further as well.”
Jason Collett (Within The Law): “A bit disappointed, I lost the back of the winner around the turn and I just couldn’t make it back up again.”
Ashley Morgan (Queen Of Clubs): “Good effort, wish she stepped a little bit quicker, she’s an Oaks filly for me, staying on all day, got into a beautiful rhythm, she’ll give herself a chance.”
Tim Clark (The Pearls): “She ran fantastic, she had a nice run, two colts were just a bit strong for her today, but she ran great.”
Rachel King (Sheeza Diva): “Good run, she was just a little fresh early which cost her late.”
