Champagne Jenni announced herself in the best possible way, producing an outstanding first up victory for the stable, and rewarding everyone who has been involved in her journey.

Resuming from a spell and having not raced since August last year, she returned to the track in superb order. While race fitness is always a query after a long break, we were confident she had come back a more furnished and focused mare. To see her win first-up was exceptional.

Expertly ridden by Craig Williams, Champagne Jenni was given every chance to show her ability. Craig rode her with patience and confidence, allowing her to settle before producing a strong finishing effort when it mattered most. She responded courageously, showing both class and determination to secure the win.

Owned by Tony Ottobre, Champagne Jenni has always shown ability, but she has truly been a work in progress. This result is a reflection of the time, effort and thought that goes into every horse in our care. We pride ourselves on a hands-on, individual approach, and our one-on-one training style has really suited this mare. She has thrived with the extra attention, building strength and confidence at her own pace.

At LYR we believe that developing horses isn’t about rushing them, it’s about understanding them. Champagne Jenni is a wonderful example of how patience and tailored training can bring out the best in a horse. To see her return from nearly six months away and perform at that level is incredibly rewarding for the entire team.

We’re excited about what lies ahead for her this preparation. With natural improvement to come and the confidence of a first-up win, there’s plenty to look forward to. It was a proud day for the stable, and hopefully the beginning of a very promising campaign.