Autumn Glow triumphs in G1 Winx Stakes

It was billed as the best-ever renewal of the $1 million ATC Winx S. 1400m G1, attracting 11 horses, ten of them Group 1 winners of more than $56 million, and a classic Sydney vs Melbourne showdown between Australian racing’s current poster-girls, The Autumn Sun’s daughter Autumn Glow and Sheza Alibi.

And the race delivered everything it promised on a near-perfect Soft5 track before a large and appreciative crowd at Randwick, celebrating the first Group 1 day of the 2026/27 season on a perfect, sunny Spring day. 

Autumn Glow began well from gate 3 and settled quickly into 4th spot outside Lady Shenandoah as Midnight Dynamite & Lindermann led the field through the early sections at a solid clip, while Sheza Alibi recovered from a slower start out of gate 1 to slip forward and settle fifth on the rail. 

As the field rounded the home turn, Autumn Glow was full of running and perfectly positioned to pounce, with Sheza Alibi beginning to loom behind her. But the task in front of her immediately became daunting, as Autumn Glow powered clear of the field to score in dominant style, by 1.4 lengths in 1:21.03. That’s a new benchmark time for the race, which has been won by 12 Hall of Famers since it was first held at Warwick Farm in 1923.

Sheza Alibi lost none of her fan-base with a great effort for second in her first attempt in weight-for-age company, ahead of the valiant Gringotts and Snitzel’s multiple Group 1-winning daughter Lady Shenandoah.

AUTUMN GLOW DOMINATES AND WINS THE WINX! 💛🖤@mcacajamez @cwallerracing @WorldPool pic.twitter.com/qgPoioMnmS

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) August 22, 2026

John Messara, speaking on behalf of Autumn Glow’s owners Arrowfield & Hermitage, said, “She was strong, very strong…Her time (1:21.03) was enormous, it was a proper test and she came through with flying colours. It’s a great thrill, it’s beautiful. She’s a great mare with a great trainer and a great jockey, I mean what else can you ask for?”

John’s delight and pride was shared by the family & friends who joined him at Royal Randwick, by Autumn Glow’s Hong Kong-based co-owners and by the large team of Arrowfielders whose post-race celebrations raised the roof at the farm which hosted more than 900 clients & visitors at the weekend’s Arrowfield Stallion Parades.

Trainer Chris Waller, marking his 10th Winx Stakes success, said, “This should be her dominant year, it was just what I wanted to see, she’s already gone to a pretty high level, in fact amazing levels…it was just fantastic to see…We’re learning about her all the time, but gee, it was a good return.”

Jockey James McDonald explained in fascinating detail how Autumn Glow readies herself for the crunch-point of the race. 

“She’s so special, just her gate speed and tractability. She knows when she’s in a race because from the 500m to the 400m, it’s like she just powers into herself and just builds herself, she just knows. It’s an incredible feeling and even though she puts herself in good spots, for her to have that audacity to fill her lungs up and know it’s go time, just let rip, it’s just incredible.”

Autumn Glow has now won 12 of her 13 starts including four at Group 1 level, and more than $9 million prizemoney. She heads the five winners of 9 Group 1 races The Autumn Sun has left among his first 196 runners and gives him an early lead on the new season’s Australian General Sires’ list.

Autumn Glow and The Autumn Sun’s dual Group 1-winning son Autumn Boy are both among the Finalists for the 2025/26 Australian & NSW awards to be presented at Racing’s Night of Champions, at Royal Randwick this Thursday evening, 27 August.