Site crafted and built by Kick Collective
Source: racenet.com.au
In 160 years, no horse had managed the feat until a special mare stepped out at Royal Randwick on Saturday.
Autumn Glow became the first horse to emerge from the Group 1 $1.5m TAB Epsom Handicap (1600m) with an unbeaten record.
This was her seventh win from as many races – and she’s only just getting started.
Hall of Fame trainer Chris Waller, who prepared his sixth Epsom winner with Autumn Glow, said the mare did an “amazing job” to win the big Randwick mile.
“Autumn Glow is just like any other horse until the pressure goes on and then she’s different – she just keeps going,” Waller said.
“We did it the hard way today from that (outside) draw. She had a bit of weight for a young mare and if we went back, it’s pretty hard to make up ground so we asked her to do it in the first half of the race yet she has still responded in the second half.
“It’s all about Group 1 racing in my eyes and this wins means a lot because she’s a very talented horse.”
Autumn Glow’s jockey, Kerrin McEvoy, rode the mare confidently from a wide barrier to have the hot favourite travelling well just behind the leader, Fully Lit.
McEvoy said his only concern came on the turn when Autumn Glow appeared to hit a “flat spot”.
“She pulled a shoe so I don’t know if that is part of the reason,” McEvoy revealed.
“For 100m or so I was a bit worried but then she was good. She changed on to her ‘fresh’ leg on straightening and away she went.”
After the late scratching of Willydoit, Autumn Glow firmed into $1.75 favouritism and gathering momentum in the straight she forged past game frontrunner Fully Lit ($31) to win by a widening 1½ lengths with Pericles ($7.50) a half head away third.
The “c” word was being mentioned after Autumn Glow’s outstanding win but McEvoy, who has ridden his share of champions during a celebrated riding career, had the right take on the mare after her Epsom win.
“Autumn Glow is a champion in the making, I think. I don’t like calling them champions too early but she has gone to a new level today,” McEvoy said.
Arrowfield Stud supremo John Messara races Autumn Glow and was circumspect when to rate his unbeaten mare.
“I had a similar feeling with Miss Finland 20 years ago,” Messara said.
“She was very special, she was a champion two-year-old and champion three-year-old.
“I’m not going to tell you this filly is better or worse but there is not much between them.
“I’m just thrilled Autumn Glow did what she did today. The exciting part is she has only had seven starts so who knows how good she is!”
Autumn Glow is superbly bred by Messara’s outstanding racehorse and sire The Autumn Sun out of Via Africa, also the dam of Golden Rose winner, In The Congo.
Messara liked the mare so much he spent $1.8m to buy her at the 2023 Australian Easter Yearling Sale, the most he has ever paid for a yearling.
Autumn Glow’s Epsom win took her career earnings to $1.68m from seven starts and that figure is set to soar.
Waller said the Epsom was his primary focus for Autumn Glow but now he will consider the options for the mare although the $10m Golden Eagle (1500m) at Royal Randwick on November 1 is the most likely target.
“We just don’t want to over-race her,” Waller said.
“She’s what I call a four-year-old ‘filly’ so we won’t over-race her.
“I’ll speak to Mr Messara and his team, and the Hermitage team up in Hong Kong, and we’ll see what they all want to do but probably one more run.
“I would say it’s the Golden Eagle. It’s the richest race in the world really on turf when you take out The Everest where you have to split the slots.
“If it’s not the Golden Eagle it will be the Empire Rose. They’re both great races and they mean a lot to me.”