Winning Hat-Trick for Pride of Dubai Mare

Media Release - Monday August 11

A decision to bypass the Gr.3 Winter Cup (1600m) a fortnight ago paid dividends for the connections of Pride Of Aspen on Sunday, as the mare went three in a row in the Free Court (2100m) at Hawera.

The seven-year-old was prepared for the majority of her career by training partners Johno Benner and Hollie Wynyard, and when the former took a step back from training last term, she moved north to Cambridge with Wynyard.

Pride Of Aspen winning at Hawera on Sunday.  Photo: Jane Davidson (Race Images Palmerston North)

Wynyard identified suitable races for her in the Central Districts through this winter, and after placing and winning in her first two attempts at Otaki, she remained at the course in Benner’s care, and added another victory prior to Sunday’s contest.

Benner had considered heading to Christchurch seven days later for the National Week feature, but after opting to stay closer to home, Pride Of Aspen looked beautifully placed in a five-horse field, where she was a deserved favourite in the hands of apprentice Amber Riddell.

The mare jumped positively to sit outside leader Rua Rocks, who ensured the compact field would stream along at a decent tempo. Riddell pressed on to get on terms with Rua Rocks turning for home and Pride Of Aspen was in front a long way out, but she showed her tenacity to fend off the late challenge of a game Verry Flash and Dancin In The Dark.

Benner was pleased to get the result he’d expected of his charge.

“It was probably a bit of a nothing race really, but we went there expecting to win and she won, so it was good,” he said. “There wasn’t much around for her, so it was a nice race to fill the hole.

“It was a big ask for a seven-day back-up and rising in class again (in the Winter Cup), and we think she’s probably better suited to the 2000m, so opted to keep her up here and get a few more runs out of her, rather than going down there and that be the last run.

Advertisement

“She’s an eight-win mare now, so she’s done a good job and we’re very happy.

“We’ll possibly go to Wanganui in two or three weeks’ time for an Open 2100 there.”

A daughter of Pride Of Dubai, Pride Of Aspen was bred by Millburn Creek Stud in New South Wales and purchased for A$120,000 at the Inglis Melbourne Premier Sale by Aspen Bloodstock. She has now accumulated more than $177,000, with eight wins from 35 appearances.

The mare was one of four winners for Benner last term, having presented just 11 starters to the races. He enjoyed having some time away from the demands of full-time training, but ultimately, the love of the sport kept him involved.

“It was good to have a break, I needed to take a step back for a few reasons, but the love for the game never goes,” he said. “Once you’re in racing, you’re stuck in it for life I think.

“I’ve got an awesome little team of horses, I’m planning on training around 10 or 12 this year. I’ve been very selective, just having a small operation and keeping that work-life balance.

“That’s my plan going forward.” – LOVERACING.NZ News Desk

Advertisment
More Reading...
One to Watch – Hawkesbury
Richard Johnston has bred some very good horses under his Bylong Park banner including triple Group I winner Think It Over and an Anders three year-old he bred and races was an eye-catching debut winner at Hawkesbury on Thursday.
30 Runners in Goffs Million!
The stage is set for Europe’s richest two-year-old race, the Goffs Million (7f), which has attracted a maximum field of 30 runners at the Curragh this Saturday and the €1 million contest, with prize money down to 10th, is only open to graduates of last year’s Goffs Orby Sale.
€1.9million Sale-Topping Colt Wins G3 Somerville Stakes
The Group III Somerville Stakes (7f) was run at Newmarket overnight with the Godolphin blue carried by exciting Night of Thunder colt Distant Storm, who they purchased for a sale-topping €1.9million at the Arqana May Breeze Up Sale earlier this year.
Manhattan Rain Gold Rush in WA
Geisel Park won’t be the only WA breeder on board when the first locally-conceived 2yo crop of its Group 1 sire Manhattan Rain get mobile this season.
Ardrossan Filly Wins First Kiwi Juvenile Race of New Season
Otaki horseman Johno Benner has a good association with the Karaka Millions, and he could have another serious contender on his hands for January’s showpiece.
Aquis Welcome First foals for Young Gun Officiating
A fast Group winning sprinter by Breeders Cup Classic winner Blame, Officiating (USA) was carefully selected by Aquis Stallions following a global headhunting mission to secure an outcross stallion for Queensland and his first foals are arriving this spring.
Pride of Dubai Mare Hits Form
Pride Of Aspen looked right at home when she scored a decisive victory in the Cavallo Farms and Chris Rutten Bloodstock Handicap (2200m) at Otaki’s rescheduled meeting on Tuesday.
Golden Rose Colts – Sires of the Future
The $1million Group I ATC Golden Rose (1400m) this Saturday offers the winner far more than prizemoney and assuming it’s a colt he is given a golden ticket to a commercial stud career, so let’s take a look at this year’s contenders, who would you want on your stallion roster in 2026?
Breeding to Win - 2025 Manikato Stakes
Racing at The Valley on Grand Final Eve in Melbourne - the southern capital doing what it does best, bringing people together in celebration of sporting greatness!
Invincible Filly Snares $100,000 Inglis Bonus
The least expensive filly by champion sire I Am Invincible sold at Inglis Easter in 2024, Wear the Crown always looked to have been well bought at $260,000 by Seib/Racing / Champion Thoroughbreds and she set about repaying her purchase price at Goulburn on Thursday.