The Autumn Sun shines in Canberra

Two big results for The Autumn Sun at Canberra’s feature meeting on Sunday take his career record to 16 stakes performers including 6 stakeswinners.

3YO filly Snow In May followed up her excellent Spring form with a sharp win in Sunday’s $165,000 Canberra Guineas 1400m LR for John O’Shea & Tom Charlton, and a high-profile group of owners including Richard Pegum, Werrett Bloodstock, Francis & Christine Cook, Segenhoe Stud & Bangaloe Stud. 

Arrowfield graduate Shangri La Spring (ex Opportunity by Redoute’s Choice) was 3rd, becoming stakes performer no. 6 for his sire Castelvecchio. 

Snow In May prevails in the Canberra Guineas for @JohnOSheaRacing! 👏 pic.twitter.com/8N7mwP46l2

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) March 9, 2025

Snow In May’s jockey Tyler Schiller said, “She executed everything really well, she got a gap and we were lucky that she’s very brave and she took it very sharply.”

Placed in both the Tea Rose S. G2 behind Autumn Glow, and in the Flight S. G1 behind Lady Shenandoah, Snow In May has now won 3 of her six starts and has several Group 1 nominations on file for Sydney’s Autumn Carnival. 

She was bred by Woodpark Stud and purchased by John O’Shea and agent Suman Hedge for $150,000 from the Attunga Stud draft at Inglis Easter. Her Group-placed dam See You Soon (by Siyouni) is a half-sister to current season Listed winner Lofty Arch (by Snitzel), from the family of New Zealand Group 1 winners King’s Rose (by Redoute’s Choice) & Anabandana. 

Two races later The Autumn Sun’s 4YO son Matusalem (ex Miss Dodwell by Falbrav) very nearly won the $200,000 Canberra Cup 2000m LR, when he burst through late to snatch second behind Palmetto. 

Raced by a partnership including his breeders Arrowfield & Hermitage Thoroughbreds, and his trainer Chris Waller, Matusalem has won 5 races and $502,000 prizemoney. His full sister is among The Autumn Sun’s 13 yearlings catalogued for next month’s Inglis Easter Sale.