Cover image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
Autumn Glow (The Autumn Sun) could be heading to Flemington for her next assignment, with connections considering the G1 Champions Mile on November 7 following another dominant performance at Randwick on Saturday.
The 5-year-old mare made light work of her four rivals in the G1 King Charles III Stakes, winning by more than 2.5 lengths to take her record to 14 wins from 15 starts and earnings beyond $12.8 million. It was her fourth Group 1 victory.
For part-owner and Arrowfield Stud principal John Messara, the Flemington mile presents an appealing opportunity, particularly with the mare’s growing following among racing fans.
“It’s the right race for her on the 7th of November. It fits in with her program and that’s the most important thing,” Messara said.
“I’m thrilled to be able to race at Flemington, especially now that Vin Cox going to be the new chair (of the VRC).
John Messara | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
“I’ve known him a long time and I’ve got a lot of faith in him.”
The decision will depend on what connections and the trainer believe is best for the mare, although Messara is confident the Flemington track and distance would suit.
“Overall the most important reason for any decision is what is best for the horse. The big track would suit her definitely and the mile is her wheelhouse, 1400 to a mile is where she’s really good. And it should be perfect for her. It’s the right distance break between her last start at three weeks.
“We haven’t signed off on it quite yet. There are partners in the horse and the trainer has an opinion too. We’re having a meeting this week.”
A champion with a growing following
Every sport thrives on its champion athletes, and racing is no different. Autumn Glow faced only four opponents on Saturday, with many electing not to take her on.
“She just made it look too easy, didn’t she? A horse like her might scare off opponents but they draw the crowd and once the crowd is there, they bet across the whole card,” Messara said.
“She (Autumn Glow) just made it look too easy, didn’t she? A horse like her might scare off opponents but they draw the crowd and once the crowd is there, they bet across the whole card.” - John Messara
The mare’s popularity has grown with each successive victory, something Messara is experiencing firsthand.
Autumn Glow | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
“People stop me in the street and say, oh, what a great mare. I’m happy to share the joy with everybody and let everybody enjoy it because she’s a star.”
Autumn Glow’s preferred distance range has also become clearer, with Messara keen to keep her between 1200 and 1600 metres rather than test her over longer trips.
Her dam, Champion South African Sprinter Via Africa (Saf) (Var {USA}), won 10 of her 18 starts, including two at Group 1 level, with all but two of those races over 1000 metres. The remaining two were over 1200 metres.
By contrast, Autumn Glow’s sire The Autumn Sun was a versatile racehorse, winning five Group 1 races at distances from 1200 to 2000 metres.
“He got the Rosehill Guineas, and he was a very versatile horse. She is out of a very fast champion sprinter, and I think her preferred distances are 1200 to 1600,” Messara said.
“Everybody wants to stretch the distance to 2000, but I relented once and I won’t be relenting again. If I thought she could get a strong 2000, we’d be in the Cox Plate.”
The Autumn Sun | Standing at Arrowfield Stud
Autumn Glow’s only attempt at 2000 metres came in the G1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes earlier this year, when she finished third.
“I think we just let her do what she enjoys doing, which is up to a mile. From a breeding point of view, I’ll be thrilled to be breeding out of a mare that was a sprinter-miler because it gives you a lot of options.”
“From a breeding point of view, I’ll be thrilled to be breeding out of a mare that was a sprinter-miler because it gives you a lot of options.” - John Messara
A remarkable return on a $1.8 million purchase
Bred by Newhaven Park, Autumn Glow was sold as a weanling for $600,000 to Silverdale Farm and Shrone Bloodstock at the Gold Coast before returning to the sale ring as a yearling.
She topped the 2023 Inglis Easter Yearling Sale at $1.8 million, purchased by Arrowfield Pastoral and Hermitage Thoroughbreds.
Autumn Glow at the 2023 Inglis Easter Yearling Sale | Image courtesy of Inglis
Of the 47 seven-figure yearlings sold in Australasia that year, Autumn Glow has emerged as the standout performer, with her 14 victories and more than $12.8 million in prizemoney.
That class of million dollar babies has produced 11 stakes winners, including fellow Group 1 winner Switzerland (Snitzel), who won the G1 Coolmore Stud Stakes before retiring to stud. He covered 195 mares at $60,500 inc GST in his first season, with his first foals now arriving.
Other graduates include Bodyguard (I Am Invincible) and Espionage (Zoustar), both now retired to stud.
Loss of latest foal from Via Africa
While Autumn Glow continues to add to her remarkable record on the track, her dam Via Africa sadly had a stillborn foal by Zoustar over the weekend.
The Champion South African Sprinter has produced two Group 1 winners from four foals, Autumn Glow and In The Congo, but has experienced difficulties at stud.
“She’s a very special mare, Via Africa, with two Group 1 winners from four foals. She was a very good racehorse in South Africa and is now a very good broodmare,” Newhaven Park’s John Kelly told TTR following Autumn Glow’s G1 Epsom Handicap victory.
“She’s (Via Africa) a very special mare, Via Africa, with two Group 1 winners from four foals. She was a very good racehorse in South Africa and is now a very good broodmare.” - John Kelly
“She’s been a difficult breeder and hasn’t had a foal since Autumn Glow.”
After Autumn Glow was born, Via Africa had two stillborn foals in succession, both by Snitzel. She was subsequently given a season off before missing to both Snitzel and I Am Invincible.
She was moved to Widden Stud to be covered by Zoustar the following season, and remains a resident there, but sadly that pregnancy has also ended with the loss of her foal.
Flemington decision awaits
Connections are expected to meet this week to decide whether Autumn Glow will travel to Melbourne for the G1 Champions Mile, a race Messara believes would suit her particularly well.
The prospect of seeing the mare at Flemington would give Victorian racing fans a rare opportunity to watch one of Australia’s most popular horses in action.
For Messara, the enjoyment extends well beyond the results.
“You’re grateful for each day and you keep everything crossed for the next one. But she’s (Autumn Glow) given us a lot of highlights so far in her short career.” - John Messara
“You’re grateful for each day and you keep everything crossed for the next one. But she’s given us a lot of highlights so far in her short career.”
