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Source: anzbloodstocknews.com
Chris Waller confirmed the exciting Autumn Boy (The Autumn Sun) would race on next season instead of a quick exit to stud after the colt gave James McDonald a landmark win in Saturday’s Rosehill Guineas (Gr 1, 2000m).
In a first try beyond the distance of his Caulfield Guineas (Gr 1, 1600m) triumph, Autumn Boy showed races such as the Cox Plate (Gr 1, 2040m) would be on his horizon in the spring with this effortless victory.
The headline went to McDonald and his 130th Group 1 success – taking him past the old record held by Damien Oliver. With the remarkable McDonald still only 34, it’s a safe bet that before he’s done he’ll be dozens clear of the mark set by Oliver, who was 51 when he retired in 2023.
As for McDonald’s vehicle to the record, Autumn Boy showed his star quality in beating his seven rivals, despite being sent out as the $2.45 second-favourite behind Melbourne colt Observer (Ghaiyyath), at $2.10.
Jumping from gate three, McDonald was content to trail his Godolphin rival in the run, settling in the one-one. As VRC Derby (Gr 1, 2500m) winner Observer set out after longshot leader Bingi (Snitzel) early in the straight and Autumn Boy loomed behind, it looked like the much hoped-for match race might play out.
But Observer was quickly under pressure from Craig Williams as Autumn Boy ranged up beside. He quickly put the race to bed, ultimately winning with a clear 1.94 length gap over another Godolphin runner in Bjorn Baker’s Green Spaces (Street Boss) at $21, while Observer clung on for third.
Waller said he was delighted to see Autumn Boy pass his 2000-metre test, and pleased his owner Glenn Ritchie was happy to let him keep racing.
“We wanted to try that,” Waller said of the distance.
“Great owners, the Ritchies. I think the most disappointing thing last preparation [was] when I mentioned that he may have a short racing career, because he’s such a wonderful colt.
“They said, ‘Oh, we’re not in a rush to retire him, we want to keep them racing’.
“So that’s great. And it’s good to see these colts race on and I’m sure he will. So yeah, we ticked the box for 2000 metres. His dad won it [the Rosehill Guineas]. He’s won it. And yeah, we’ll pick out some nice races in the spring for him.”
McDonald said it felt “special” to break the Group 1 record and expressed his admiration for Oliver, especially his 2002 Melbourne Cup (Gr 1, 3200m) win aboard Media Puzzle (Theatrical) just days after his brother Jason’s death in a riding accident.
“It’s lovely,” he said of the record, “but it’s a testament to the horses that I ride because they are phenomenal.
“There’s no two ways about it, that I do ride the best horses and most favourites each race, and I’m blessed to have that opportunity.
“To get to a mark like this, it’s obviously special. Especially with how I look up to Damien Oliver.
“When I was growing up as a ten-year-old kid, he was riding Melbourne Cup winners. One that comes to mind is Media Puzzle when he went through so much adversity and still had the vivacity to come out on top. He’s a phenomenal rider.
“I’m just blessed with a great family and great support crew.”
McDonald, who has two daughters with wife Katelyn, said he was moved by the backing he’d received as he bore down on the record.
“I’m just humbled by the support,” he said. “To be honest, I flicked social media off this week and just focused on my rides.
“But Katelyn would mention, ‘Someone said kind words about you’. That means so much. Whether I deserve it, it’s up to people’s opinion, who’s the greatest jockey to ever grace the turf. It doesn’t worry me.
“As long as I’m in the conversation, I’m very proud of it, and if my girls in ten years’ time look up and say, ‘Gee Dad, you’re pretty good’, that would mean more to me than whether someone thinks I’m the best or not.”
Bred by Richard Rutherford and purchased for $200,000 by his trainer and Guy Mulcaster out of the Amarina Farm draft at the 2024 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, Autumn Boy is one of two winners from three to race out of the unraced Savabeel (Zabeel) mare Rosegarden. She was from the extended family of Group 1 winner and Group 1 sire Shamexpress (O’Reilly).
Rosegarden has a two-year-old colt by Yarraman Park’s Hellbent (I Am Invincible) and, after not being covered the following season, produced a filly by the same stallion last spring.
She was then covered again by The Autumn Sun (Redoute’s Choice), who stood at Arrowfield Stud last season at a fee of $66,000 (inc GST).