Some wins are exciting. Some are emotional.
And then there are wins like this — the kind that remind you why we race.
On Saturday, Taramansour produced one of the most courageous and deserving victories of the season, claiming the 2025 Ladbrokes Pakenham Cup (2500m) in a performance that silenced doubters and rewarded belief.
At nine years of age, after a long and demanding preparation, “The Big T” saved his very best for the biggest stage.
IA Win Earned the Hard Way
This was not a gift. This was not a soft run or a lucky break.
Taramansour came into the race having raced six times since September, covering over 14 kilometres in that span alone. Many questioned whether there was anything left in the tank. Some even suggested it might be time to call it a day.
Instead, what we witnessed was a horse peaking at exactly the right moment.
From a midfield position, three-wide and exposed, Luke Currie made the bold decision to let Taramansour roll into the race approaching the 800m. It was a move born of confidence — in the horse’s fitness, his honesty, and his will to compete.
That decision won the race.
Taramansour hit the front at the top of the straight and then did what only genuine stayers can do — he kept finding.
Under pressure, drifting slightly but never yielding, he ground his rivals into submission, pulling clear late to score a famous victory.
There was no horse more deserving of a win like this.
IIA Huge Statement to the Racing World
This was more than just a Stakes win.
It was a statement — to the market, to the critics, and to anyone who thought Taramansour’s best days were behind him.
His work was not done.
He wasn’t hanging on.
He was building toward this moment.
In a race dominated pre-event by hype and market support for emerging stayers, it was the seasoned professional who stood tallest when it mattered most.
IIIElite Horsemanship Rewarded
Trainer Phillip Stokes deserves immense credit for his judgment and belief.
Rather than tipping Taramansour out or retiring him, the stable adjusted the preparation, kept him happy, kept him racing, and trusted his soundness and durability. That decision was vindicated in the best possible way.
Taramansour is an old-fashioned racehorse — tough, genuine, and thriving on competition.
And the ride? Luke Currie was superb. Calm, decisive, and brave. He trusted the horse and committed early, producing a ride that perfectly matched the horse underneath him
IVWhy This Win Means So Much
To win a Pakenham Cup at this stage of a horse’s career is rare.
To do it after such a demanding campaign is exceptional.
To do it when many had written him off makes it unforgettable.
This was a victory built on:
- Durability
- Fitness
- Belief
- And heart
Taramansour owes nobody anything — yet he continues to give everything.
VA Day to Remember for Our Owners
To our owners, this is your reward.
Racing doesn’t always give instant gratification. But days like this — when patience and belief are rewarded — make the journey worthwhile.
Enjoy this win. Celebrate it.Victories like this are earned, not bought.
