Lachie Neindorf guides Femminile to South Australian Derby glory

[Wandering Eyes]

Group 1 SA Derby winner, Femminile. (Photo by George Sal/Racing Photos)

Lachie Neindorf secured his second Group 1 victory when claiming the South Australian Derby (2500m) aboard Femminile for trainer Phillip Stokes.

Unlike his emotional first Group 1 win last year aboard Climbing Star in the Robert Sangster Stakes, Neindorf held back his tears this time.

Femminile, a $19 chance with horse betting sites, fought off strong competition to clinch the victory.

Neindorf rode a perfect race, sticking to the rails while the field spread out looking for better ground. He was initially following race favourite Statuario but lost him mid-race and decided to take his own path.

With the seas parting for him on the turn, he took advantage of the inside run and held off Statuario in the final stages, denying John Allen a fifth South Australian Derby victory.

The win continued the trend in 2025, where three-year-old fillies have dominated Derbies, following in the footsteps of Aeliana in the Australian Derby and Machine Gun Gracie in the West Australian Derby.

Tommy Stokes, who saddled Femminile, was thrilled with the win and praised the hard work of the team at Pakenham and Morphettville.

“I’m just so proud of the team, especially for OTI, who have now secured a Group 1,” said Tommy Stokes.

The team had prepared Femminile perfectly after her seventh-place finish in the Australasian Oaks (2000m), with the quick back-up and step up in trip proving ideal.

Femminile defeated the favourite Statuario by three-quarters of a length, with Lavalier finishing third.

The victory gave Phillip Stokes his first South Australian Derby win.

2025 Group 1 South Australian Derby Replay – Femminile

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