On the doorsteps of a new year, the Joe Pride Juggernaut for season 2025/26 shows no signs of abating with a trio of Proven gallopers lining up over the festive break.
“Juggernaut” is generally an over-used term that’s applied very loosely to racing participants enjoying a golden run. However, the stats don’t lie and the figures (prizemoney & strike rate) for the Pride Stable since August 1 are phenomenal for a yard of 55 horses (see table below):
| Trainer Name | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | 5th | Prizemoney | Strike Rate | Starts |
| Chris Waller | 68 | 71 | 63 | 62 | 57 | $24,131,920.00 | 12.60% | 541 |
| Bjorn Baker | 27 | 24 | 23 | 17 | 11 | $6,848,400.00 | 14.60% | 185 |
| Annabel & Rob Archibald | 22 | 18 | 19 | 18 | 23 | $3,342,725.00 | 12.40% | 177 |
| Joseph Pride | 22 | 13 | 13 | 15 | 14 | $9,973,400.00 | 17.90% | 123 |
| Ciaron Maher | 19 | 17 | 20 | 12 | 14 | $14,291,700.00 | 11.90% | 159 |
| Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | 16 | 16 | 16 | 13 | 17 | $4,038,000.00 | 12.50% | 128 |
| John O’Shea & Tom Charlton | 15 | 19 | 13 | 9 | 9 | $3,464,200.00 | 13.60% | 110 |
| Peter Snowden | 14 | 13 | 9 | 14 | 9 | $1,719,175.00 | 14.30% | 98 |
| Michael Freedman | 14 | 12 | 12 | 4 | 5 | $3,234,550.00 | 21.20% | 66 |
| Kris Lees | 11 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 12 | $1,713,775.00 | 11.70% | 94 |
Currently equal third for winners in the Sydney Metro Trainers Premiership and a clear third in terms of prizemoney behind the mega stables of Maher and Waller, Joe is poised to break PB’s this season especially as the table above does not include the stable’s Victorian Spring triumphs.
The Proven/Pride combination has yielded 4 Metro winners in the past fortnight and looks to build on that at the Randwick Double Header Meeting this weekend with last start victors COLUMBIA BLUE and INDEFENSIBLE (pictured).
Meantime, Matt Hoysted launches a three-pronged attack on the Qld Provincial Circuit with HIT THE SWITCH, HEYOKA and TAKE A BOW.
A very Merry Christmas to you all and here’s to much success over the festive break!
Information on all of Proven’s 2025 acquisitions can be viewed on our AVAILABLE HORSES page.
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SIRE ON FIRE – RUSSIAN REVOLUTION
The ‘Russian Renaissance’ is now seemingly in full swing after another bumper weekend brought a Group 2 winning juvenile in NZ plus the winner of the Magic Millions 2yo debut on the Gold Coast. That follows two other stakes winners and a handful of Saturday winners in the last four weeks. His 41.5% strike rate of winners to runners this season is higher than any of the top 35 stallions in Australia. Certainly brings an article we did six months ago back into focus (READ HERE).
No BLACK BOOKER this week
Upcoming Proven Thoroughbreds runners
Randwick Friday December 26
BM78 Handicap 1000m
INDEFENSIBLE
Joe Pride/Tyler Schiller
Comment: Might have found her niche, patiently ridden over short courses. Franked a promising 2nd at W Farm with a decisive victory at the same track and distance last start. On a quicker turnaround and up in grade but headquarters should suit her pattern, albeit with the rail out 8m.
Newcastle Friday December 26
Maiden Plate 1350m
PROXIMA CENTAURI
Joe Pride/TBA
Comment: Trialled only fairly prior to a nondescript debut that was actually better than it looked given her stout pedigree. Reverts to provincial company and the extra 100m is in her favour.
Sunshine Coast Friday December 26
3YO Maiden Plate 1200m
HIT THE SWITCH
Ben Thompson/Ben Thompson
Comment: On a 12 day interval after looming to win in a similar race at the Sunny Coast. Drawn awkwardly in a capacity field but will appreciate a more genuine speed and a quiet ride. Good chance to break his duck.
Randwick Saturday December 27
BM72 Handicap 1100m
COLUMBIA BLUE
Joe Pride/Mitch Stapleford (a3)
Comment: Had run of the race and won with authority at Canterbury last start. Drawn wide again but stays in BM72 grade and only goes up 1.5kg. On the up.
Gold Coast Saturday December 27
Class 4 Handicap 1400m
HEYOKA
Matt Hoysted/Fiona Sandkuhl (a3)
Comment: Dropping back to provincial grade but a doubtful runner if wet.
BM75 Handicap 1000m
TAKE A BOW
Matt Hoysted/Fiona Sandkuhl (a3)
Comment: Maintaining the most consistent form of her career, restricted to short courses and (when possible), soft ground. Any rain at the Gold Coast will only enhance her prospects if she brings her A game to the sports.
