History repeated itself at Flemington on Saturday as Ciaron Maher’s tireless warrior Light Infantry Man successfully defended his crown in the 2026 Australian Cup results, narrowly out-duelling stablemate Pride Of Jenni in a thrilling stable quinella.

2026 Australian Cup winner Light Infantry Man narrowly nudged out stablemate Pride Of Jenni to go back-to-back in the Flemington feature. Photo: Ultimate Racing Photos.

Emulating the consecutive feats of Cascadian (2023–24), the seven-year-old son of Fast Company secured his second straight Group 1 $2 million Australian Cup (2000m) trophy.

Defying a starting price of $21, the now triple Group 1 winner produced a trademark gutsy performance to etch his name further into the record books.

Presenting rock-hard fit third-up, Light Infantry Man showed marked improvement on his previous fourth behind Birdman in the Peter Young Stakes.

The step up to the 2000m proved the catalyst for the veteran to recapture his peak form.

As anticipated, the Maher-trained front-running queen Pride Of Jenni took up the running early, carving out a bold lead as she attempted to go start-to-finish.

The courageous mare maintained her advantage into the home turn, while jockey Harry Coffey kept Light Infantry Man prominently placed in third, stalking the speed and waiting to strike.

Nestled just ahead of the eventual winner was the favourite and last-start victor Birdman, who moved up to challenge Pride Of Jenni at the furlong pole.

While “Jenni” gave a massive kick at the 200m to repel her challengers, Light Infantry Man launched a barnstorming late surge.

In a heart-stopping finale, the veteran arrived just in time to edge out his tenacious stablemate right on the line.

“She’s a warrior,” runner-up jockey Declan Bates said of the mare.

“I don’t think I have ever asked of a horse what I asked of her today.

“I really asked her to extend quite early and she responded so gallantly.

“Frustrating not to win, obviously, but I am delighted for Harry. I’m really happy with my horse.”

Apulia stayed on for third, while the beaten favourite Birdman faded late to finish fifth, three lengths adrift.

Maher was full of praise for both his stable stars and the winning ride.

“Browny (Ethan Brown) is a good man,” Maher noted.

“This horse, he’s a unique horse, in the way he has to be ridden.

“Browny understands him well and I asked him to pass on some of that information last start.

“He rode him perfect today.

“The start is very important for him. He blasted him straight out of the gates.

“I don’t know who I’m more proud of, the winner or the second horse.”

Maher admitted the relentless tempo set by Pride Of Jenni was instrumental in the winner’s success.

“He does (need her),” he admitted.

“Two of his best wins are when he races her.

“It’s such a shame for Jenni to run second again… she was phenomenal.

“I thought it was going to be a spectacular race and to be fighting it out with two of your own, it’s pretty cool.”

Winning hoop Coffey expressed his awe for the runner-up while thanking regular rider Ethan Brown for his guidance.

“I’m just a bit shocked because Jenni, she’s amazing,” Coffey said.

“I got on terms with her and I thought I was going to beat her easily.

“What a racehorse, she fought hard.

“That is two years in a row where he’s come to this race under sort of extreme conditions and just rose to the occasion.

“Traditon, history, and to put your name next to it and be a part of it, it is everything.”

Light Infantry Man is now expected to head to Randwick on April 11 for the Group 1 $5 million Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m).

Following the win, his odds have been slashed from $51 into $21 at Ladbrokes.

2026 Australian Cup Results & Finishing Order

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