One of the great jumpers of the Australian turf ended his career aiming for four Crisp Steeplechase wins

The incredible career of STERN IDOL came to a close as a youthful ten-year-old when he chased a fourth consecutive win in the Crisp Steeplechase held at Sandown in August 2026. As a millionaire thoroughbred steeplechaser, STERN IDOL is in a league of his own, and his remarkable ability to outlast and outperform his competitors over four seasons has truly set this gelding apart. He is a 1200-pound monster with a huge engine who knew how to grind them into the dirt.

His sire RAVEN'S PASS is an American-bred, British-trained Thoroughbred notable for being the first English-trained winner of the Grade I Breeders' Cup Classic at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, California. Raven's Pass was sired by ELUSIVE QUALITY, who also sired 2004 Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes winner SMARTY JONES. His dam SCREEN IDOL is out of AUTHORIZED. She was purchased for €22,000 by Godolphin as breeding stock in 2016.

Beginning his career in France, where he won two of 10 starts, the majestic Australian chaser STERN IDOL was an Auteuil Hippporome winner in Paris over hurdles as a three-year-old novice before being imported to Australia by owner-breeder Gerry Ryan with designs on becoming a Cup horse. On arrival in Australia, Stern Idol had just one unplaced flat run at Swan Hill before making his Australian jumps debut in July 2022.

Ryan raced Stern Idol with close friends including Australian tennis legend Frank Sedgman, North Melbourne premiership icon Sam Kekovich and News Corp national executive editor Peter Blunden. Gerry Ryan revealed last May a plan to retire the nine-year-old, still young in jumping terms, because “he’s fulfilled our dreams”.

While STERN IDOL had demonstrated some aptitude with minor trial victories at Warrnambool and Taralgon over the jumps, the extent of Stern Idol's capabilities at Warrnambool over 3200m was largely unanticipated. The dominant performance of the horse, ridden by French claimer Selim Agbal, was evident as the pair established an eight-length lead on the first pass. By the conclusion of the race, Stern Idol was comfortably eased down, finishing 27 lengths ahead of the competition. A new talent has emerged. Willam McCarthy would take over the riding duties sealing 4 wins from 6 starts, with the French lad Agbal unbeaten on Stern Idol in his only two rides.

The hulking 18-hand and 615kg steeplechaser is the biggest horse trainer Ciaron Maher has ever handled and Stern Idol was the sport’s leading name by the time the 2023 season came around with two wins at Pakenham by 15 lengths and 20 lengths followed by a stunning performance to claim his first Crisp Steeplechase. He failed to finish in both the Grand Annual Steeplechase (5500m) and Grand National Steeplechase (4500m) over the marathon courses, but his Crisp win that year was as emphatic as they come. Carrying 69kgs, it was a trademark performance where he jumped to the front and kept going further ahead. Stern Idol absolutely dealt to them in the end, winning by 25 lengths.

STERN IDOL would win at Pakenham in April 2024 before taking on the the Brierly Steeplechase at Warrnambool carrying 73kg in an amazing effort. He would return in July to win the Mosstrooper Chase by 15 lengths before his second Crisp victory by 10 lengths in August. Three runs in the Autumn of 2025 were merely a warm-up act for what was to come.

STERN IDOL's victory in the 2025 Australian Steeplechase highlighted his exceptional strength and resolve, particularly given the significant challenge of carrying a mammoth 73 kilograms. In something of a surprise, he took several furlongs to find the lead and then when he did, the likes of HEIR TO THE THRONE made sure he could not get away as usual. He outmaneuvered his competitors as they approached the final turn, but LEADERBOARD demonstrated a decisive closing effort, with Stern Idol responding admirably to secure a victory by three-quarters of a length.

He would win the Thackery at Warrnambool in July before claiming the Mosstrooper once again, at Hamilton before going for a three-peat in the Crisp Steeplechase at Sandown. Rising a kilogram each year from his initial Crisp win in 2024, Stern Idol had the impost of 71kgs in 2025, but his supporters rallied for the champ and backed him into the extremely tight price of $1.09. Those individuals had minimal concerns regarding the five minutes, and 15 seconds required for Stern Idol to achieve a 15-length victory over NOT USUAL DREAM, with an additional 15 lengths separating the second and third-place finishers.

Returning in the Autumn of 2026, Stern Idol would win the Spencer Memorial at Terang by 25 lengths with something in hand, then was outstanding when claiming victory in the Breirly Chase again with a whopping 75kg. Lumped with 76.5kg in the Australian Steeplechase he could only manage third place as the weight told on the gelding.

The Ciaron Maher-trained Stern Idol was aiming to emulate the deeds of the great BASHBOY (also trained by Maher), who was victorious in the Crisp Steeplechase four years in a row (between 2012-2015). Prior to this, STERN IDOL had the honour to race on the flat at Flemington over 2800m, and although it quite wasn't his thing without obstacles, he still got out there among the Melbourne stayers looking like he belonged in the parade ring.

In his final bow, STERN IDOL's regular rider Steven Pateman - with 9 wins from 15 -was suspended so it was up to jumps jockey Will Gordon to guide the champion around the course for one last time. Stern Idol got into his rhythm leading early on the first lap with applause ringing out at Sandown as they crossed the line for the first time. On the top of the hill Stern Idol put the foot down to pull out a five length lead but went through one of the jumps prior to the turn. The pressure proved too much as the champion gave his all but couldn't finish strongly enough for a dramatic send-off.

Some consider STERN IDOL the Australian jumps version of Winx or Black Caviar with a heart of a lion and it is hard to dispute his incredible jumping ability and galloping fortitude. Having amassed over $1 million in prize money, he has established himself as the premier Australian steeplechaser in contemporary history. He will be recognised for his exceptional performance for many years to come and has left a lasting legacy sitting alongside greats such as CRISP, KARASI, BASHBOY, and WELLS.

RACE RECORD - 54: 19-3-2

STAKE EARNINGS - $1,139,947

Australian Steeplechase (2025)

Spencer Memorial (2023/24/25)

Thackery Chase (2025)

Brierly Steeplechase (2024, 2026)

Crisp Steeplechase (2023/24/25