"Exciting": Is Jimmysstar becoming a miler in 2026?

Connor Scanlon • November 16th, 2025 3:15 pm

Jimmysstar has only been raced at 1600m once in his 22 starts, but that could all change next year.

Widely regarded as one of Australia’s best sprinters, the six-year-old could become a miler moving forward, according to the gelding’s trainer Ciaron Maher.

Fresh off his Group 1 C.F. Orr Stakes (1400m) victory with Jimmysstar, Maher joined RSN’s Correct Weight to discuss the son of Anniesstar’s future.

“He would be a good Hong Kong mile horse, I would’ve thought,” Maher said.

“I think for sure he would definitely run a mile.

“You don’t know until you go there, but he I think he’s given every indication that he would.

“I think he could find a mile easier than 1200m.

“At 1200m, you’ve sort of got to have him stoked up, and he races close to his top most of the way.

“It’s a good problem to have.

“I’ll sit down with the ownership group and have a yarn to them.

“The autumn is going to be quite exciting (for Jimmysstar), and I can’t wait till next spring as well.”

This statement by Maher sparked a conversation between RSN’s Trav and Nick Noonan, breaking down the potential decision to transition Jimmysstar into a miler.

Trav: “Very interesting Maher’s comments that Jimmysstar could be going down the mile path next autumn.”

Nick: “Yeah, I think he makes a good point that it just might be a little bit easier for Jimmysstar, because he’s got this huge turn of foot at 1200m, but he has to make an 800m run to get into the race.

“I think it’s a good point that he can do it within himself at that further distance.

“Off the way he went in the C.F. Orr Stakes, you wouldn’t think 1600m would pull him up at all.

“We’ve talked about him as our top sprinter for most of the spring, and he might not even be a sprinter next campaign!”

Trav: “He’s just one of those very good, versatile horses.”