Autumn Glow wins G2 Apollo Stakes

The Autumn Sun’s superstar daughter Autumn Glow opened her Autumn campaign in devastating style at Randwick on Saturday, winning the $300,000 ATC Apollo S. 1400m G2 by almost 3 lengths in 1:22.11, with her final 600 metres run in 32.97.

Castelvecchio’s daughter Aeliana, one of 5 Group 1 winners among Autumn Glow’s rivals, finished strongly for second, with third-placed Lindermann completing a trifecta for the champion Chris Waller stable. 

The victory is Autumn Glow’s first in weight-for-age company and her sixth at Group level, including the Epsom H. G1 last October, and it takes her earnings close to $7.5 million. She joins an illustrious Apollo honour roll filled with horses like Hall of Famers Emancipation, Lonhro, Red Anchor, Sunline & Winx, as well as Anamoe, Beau Zam, Fangirl, Think It Over & Triscay. 

The Autumn Sun has produced 10 stakeswinners (5 of them Group 1 winners) and 11 other stakes performers from his first three crops and is currently second behind Snitzel on the Australian General Sires’ Premiership with $12.2 million prizemoney. 

His Caulfield Guineas-winning son Autumn Boy galloped with ominous ease between races at Randwick on Saturday and, along with impressive debut winner Journeyman, he gives The Autumn Sun a strong hand in Autumn 3YO features, starting with next Saturday’s Hobartville S. G2.

She is just stunning! 🤩

Autumn Glow cruises to victory in the G2 Apollo Stakes to remain unbeaten – and what an autumn she has in store! @cwallerracing @mcacajamez @ArrowfieldStud pic.twitter.com/hUWKqxaBKj

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) February 14, 2026

Chris Waller said, “She’s come back well…it was a great ride, James put her into a great position. She’s just, really, a foolproof horse, quite remarkable.”

Asked if Autumn Glow is as cool & calm at home as she is strolling around the mounting yard, he replied, “Yeah, The Autumn Suns are…he was like that himself. He’s an amazing stallion and he puts that into his progeny.”

Jockey James McDonald said, “She is going the right way, she’s got a long way to go but she is well on her way and she’s got a good trainer that will place her to the best of her ability. She’s got some lofty targets in store. She’s going to have to step up but she is well on her way.”

All going well, Autumn Glow’s next appearance will be in the $1 million Verry Elleegant S. G1 (registered as the Chipping Norton S.) over 1600 metres at Randwick on 28 February. 

Bred by the Kelly family’s Newhaven Park Stud from Champion South African Sprinter Via Africa (by Var), Autumn Glow was a $600,000 Magic Millions weanling purchase by Shrone Bloodstock & Silverdale Farm. Silverdale then re-sold her for a sale-topping $1.8 million at Inglis Easter 2023 to Arrowfield & Hermitage Thoroughbreds. 

For Arrowfield, the joy of Autumn Glow’s success came only a day after the death of 22 year-old Miss Finland, whose record as a 5-time Group 1 winner, Champion 2YO & 3YO and Group 1 producer still ranks her as the best horse to carry the Stud’s famous Black & Yellow Diamonds throughout her entire career.

As John & Paul Messara and their team in Scone & Sydney farewell one beloved Queen, it’s clear that a new Arrowfield Queen has already arrived.