Autumn Glow magnificent in G1 Epsom victory
Autumn Glow powers clear of Fully Lit & Pericles to win the famous ATC Epsom H. G1 at Royal Randwick, also won by Hall of Famers Winx, Super Impose, Gunsynd, Sky High, Shannon, High Caste, Chatham & Amounis. (PHOTO: Bronwen Healy)
The Autumn Sun’s outstanding 4YO daughter Autumn Glow added her name to the 160-year history of the $1.5 million ATC Epsom H. 1600m G1 at Royal Randwick on Saturday, overcoming several challenges to record her 7th victory from as many starts.
From the widest draw of the 12-horse field, all but three of them carrying less than her 54.5 kg, and attempting 1600 metres for the first time, she was sent forward by Kerrin McEvoy and settled easily just behind the early leader Fully Lit.
McEvoy began applying pressure before the turn as the rest of the field loomed behind her and, after the mare recovered from losing her off-fore shoe around the 300-metre mark, she powered past the resolute Fully Lit, scoring by 1.4 lengths with Pericles finishing strongly for third.
Autumn Glow’s winning time of 1:33.14 is the third-fastest Epsom time recorded this century, bettered only by 4-time Group 1 winners Hartnell (2018) & Probabeel (2020).
What a mare! Autumn Glow shines the brightest in the G1 TAB Epsom and remains unbeaten to claim her Group 1! 🙌 ⭐️@KPMcEvoy @cwallerracing @ArrowfieldStud @aus_turf_club @tabcomau pic.twitter.com/VhBl3o28F1
— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) October 4, 2025
For the first time, John Messara was prepared to mention Autumn Glow in the same breath as Arrowfield’s Champion Filly Miss Finland.
“It’s hard to beat what Miss Finland did 20 years ago, but Autumn Glow is working her way towards getting to that level.
“She’s well and truly on her way. It’s early days for her, she’s only had the seven starts, but she’s unbeaten and today was very, very tough. She met all the challenges.
“I was very nervous, but she’s got enormous depth. She’s very game, and she’s got a good cardiovascular system and a great stride. And losing a shoe 300 metres from the finish wouldn’t have helped.
“We don’t know what the bottom for her is really, because she’s met every challenge we’ve put before her. She’s very, very exciting.”
Photos: Bronwen Healy & Arrowfield Stud
Trainer Chris Waller, celebrating his sixth Epsom winner, noted how much Autumn Glow has yet to do to earn the title of champion.
“There’s a long way to go. We’ll just place her right. It’s all about Group Ones for me. Probably one more run this prep — maybe the Golden Eagle, or if not, the Empire Rose. They’re both great races and mean a lot to me.”
Her 7-win, $1.7 million record includes two Group 2 and two Group 3 victories, plus a Listed win from 1100 to 1400 metres.
Autumn Glow is the product of two Champions that have now left 6 Group 1 winners between them. She is The Autumn Sun’s 4th Group 1 winner and the second Group 1 winner, after Golden Rose winner In The Congo (by Snitzel), out of the Champion South African Sprinter Via Africa (by Storm Cat’s grandson Var).
Bred by the Kelly family’s Newhaven Park Stud, she was a $600,000 Magic Millions weanling purchase by Shrone Bloodstock & Silverdale Farm which re-sold her for a sale-topping $1.8 million at Inglis Easter 2023 to Arrowfield & Hermitage Thoroughbreds.
Via Africa’s only other daughter, the unraced Protea (by Vancouver), owned by Stephen & Liz Ryan, has a yearling filly by Dundeel and now has an early positive test to The Autumn Sun.
The Autumn Sun himself has risen to hold 6th spot with $2.2 million prizemoney on the Australian General Sires’ Premiership.
