Arrowfield Queens set for championship crowns
Champion mare Autumn Glow (The Autumn Sun) is odds-on to complete what could be a memorable afternoon for Arrowfield Stud in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes (Gr 1, 2000m) at Randwick on Saturday.
Autumn Glow is unbeaten in 11 starts up to 1600 metres and is coming off a breathtaking performance in the George Ryder Stakes (Gr 1, 1500m) at Rosehill on Golden Slipper Day.
She’s a short-priced $1.40 favourite and her stablemate Lady Shenandoah (Snitzel) is a $3.90 favourite to add another elite-level victory for legendary Arrowfield sire Snitzel (Redoute’s Choice) in the Queen Of The Turf (Gr 1, 1600m) earlier on Saturday.
Autumn Glow is stretching out to 2000 metres for the first time, nevertheless, Arrowfield owner John Messara, trainer Chris Waller and jockey James McDonald are confident she can run the distance right out.
“J-Mac has been in my ear and so has Chris so who am I to out-think them?” Messara said.
“I went on pedigree and, although 2000 metres will be a challenge, she’s all class and her type can do just about anything. Winning 11 out of 11 isn’t easy and it will keep people very interested while it continues.”
Autumn Glow races in Arrowfield Stud’s black and yellow diamond silks in partnership with Hermitage Thoroughbreds couple Eugene Chuang and Karen Lo. And she looked the part as yearling when knocked down from the Newhaven Park draft for $1.8 million at the 2023 Inglis Australian Easter Sale.
“She’s by our stallion The Autumn Sun and we’ve paid a lot of money to get her,” Messara said at Riverside Stables three years ago.
“She’s an absolute queen, a true athlete and an exciting prospect. She had everything you look for; balance, scope, substance and she’s a great mover.”
The Autumn Sun (Redoute’s Choice) was Australia’s Champion 3YO Colt in 2018-19 and he’s been an immediate success at Arrowfield. Autumn Glow is from his second crop and his third-crop colt Autumn Boy made it a Group 1 double on Golden Slipper Day for his sire, trainer and jockey in the Rosehill Guineas (2000m).
Autumn Glow’s dam Via Africa (Var) was named Champion South African Sprinter in 2013-14 and her earlier foals include In The Congo (Snitzel) who booked a place on the Newgate Farm roster after winning the Golden Rose (Gr 1, 1400m) in 2021.
Waller kept her ticking over with an exhibition gallop at Randwick last Saturday clocking 64.98s for 1000 metres.
“We want to have her ready for the Queen Elizabeth and we’ve ticked another box with that workout,” Waller said. “She’s clean-winded and is fit to run a strong 2000 metres.
“She can jump on the speed or be ridden conservatively. She’s versatile and can switch off and relax. Conserving energy will be a big plus at 2000 metres. In my eyes she’s a champion and I’m qualified to know!”
Waller will also saddle up Aeliana (Castelvecchio) who is on a hat-trick following Group 1 wins in the Ranvet Stakes (2000m) and Tancred Stakes (2400m) at Rosehill in March. She’s by Arrowfield sire Castelvecchio (Dundeel) and has opened on the third line of Queen Elizabeth markets at $7.50 for Star Thoroughbreds.
“We’ve beaten Aeliana before in these conditions and she’s had a tough campaign,” Messara added. “I think the biggest challenge will come from the English horse Dubai Honour.”
Dubai Honour (Pride Of Dubai) is prepared by English trainer William Haggas who has built a sensational strike-rate in Sydney saddling 23 starters for 11 wins, including six Group 1 victories, for over $14.36 million in prize-money.
His biggest earner to date has been Lake Forest (No Nay Never) who came from the clouds to collect the cash in the $10 million Golden Eagle (1500m) at Rosehill in 2024.
McDonald was in a buoyant mood after last week’s gallop between races at Randwick.
“Her work has been phenomenal and she’s on song after that hit-out,” the champion rider said. “It doesn’t matter what we’re up against in the Queen Elizabeth. With that amazing sustained speed, she’s a jockey’s dream.
“Chris told me you will see something special before the George Ryder. And when he says that, I take notice. I thought Anamoe was a big deal but she has taken it to a new level.”
Arrowfield has several Group 1-winning chances before the Queen Elizabeth starting with After Summer, who is another daughter of The Autumn Sun, in the Australian Oaks (Gr 1, 2400m). She was beaten but not disgraced last time out when her jockey Billy Egan protested unsuccessfully after the Vinery Stud Stakes (Gr 1, 2000m) at Rosehill.
Kiwi filly Belle Cheval (Savabeel) was first past the post after veering across her line but stewards ruled the interference was insufficient to change the placings.
After Summer was bred and sold by Arrowfield for $170,000 to Flemington trainer Dom Sutton at the 2024 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale. Her Irish-bred dam foaled English and French winners before arriving out here and she’s closely-related to 2015 BMW Stakes (Gr 1, 2400m) winner Hartnell (Authorized).
The Queen Of The Turf has taken on a whole new dimension since connections of freewheeling Pride Of Jenni (Pride Of Dubai) opted to take on Lady Shenandoah instead of facing Autumn Glow in the Queen Elizabeth.
Lady Shenandoah was beaten by Joliestar (Zoustar) in her first two efforts this prep before finishing fourth to Autumn Glow in the George Ryder.
“That was awesome,” Tommy Berry said. “She was forced wide with no cover and it was a very strong effort.”
Arrowfield bred and sold her in partnership with Planette Thoroughbreds to Hermitage Thoroughbreds for $525,000 at the 2023 Inglis Easter Yearling Sale. She has won up to Group 1 level in the Flight Stakes (1600m) and Surround Stakes (1400m) at Randwick and Coolmore Classic (1500m) at Rosehill.
“Lady Shenandoah is good, she’s very good and you can’t do more than what she’s done so far,’’ Messara said. “You just don’t see horses winning three Group 1 events in their first seven starts.
“It’s also another big result for Snitzel. He’s having a bumper season yet again. There’s not a week goes by without another stakes horse for him and it didn’t surprise me to see this filly come out and do what she did today.’’
Snitzel died in June 2025 but is still making an impact in races like the ATC Sires’ Produce Stakes (Gr 1, 1400m) at Randwick last Saturday. It was the Arrowfield icon’s 27th Group 1 winner and he filled out a trifecta when Campione D’Italia led home Miss Chanel (Tagaloa) (damsire is Snitzel) and Fireball.
And it would be appropriate if Snitzel sired his fourth winner of the Arrowfield 3YO Sprint (Gr 2, 1200m) on Saturday. His filly Marhoona and colt Beadman can join Wild Ruler (2021), Splintex (2020) and Hot Snitzel (2012) on top-class roll-call for the Arrowfield Sprint.