The Autumn Sun’s first 3YO Group winner

The Autumn Sun has taken an early lead on the Second Season Sires’ table after Autumn Ballet downed the favourite Estriella in the final strides of Saturday’s $300,000 ATC Silver Shadow S. 1200m G2 at Randwick.

The result was doubly notable for Arrowfield because both fillies were bought from the Stud’s 2022 Inglis Easter draft.

Autumn Ballet reigns supreme in the G2 Silver Shadow Stakes, with Adam Hyeronimus in the saddle for @GaiWaterhouse1. pic.twitter.com/ZUgJjSgtIA

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) August 19, 2023

Autumn Ballet is now a two-time Group winner from her first three starts, after becoming the first debut winner of the Black Opal S. G3 back in March. 

Co-trainer Adrian Bott said after her win, “I think she has the scope to keep improving particularly as we get out over a bit further.

“That was the only concern. I thought she may be looking for that 1400m/1600m so she’s certainly right on track to go through the Series and I think she is only going to get better as we go through the campaign.”

The Darley Princess Series continues with the $300,000 Furious S. 1200m G2 on 2 September & the $300,000 Tea Rose S. 1400m G2 on 16 September and concludes with the $750,000 Flight S. 1600m G1 on 30 September. 

Autumn Ballet is the third foal out of Grisi (by Street Cry), whose dam O’Giselle is a full sister of Champion racehorse & sire Lonhro. She was a $340,000 purchase by the Waterhouse & Bott team with Bruce Slade’s Kestrel Thoroughbreds, while her full sister attracted a final bid of $1.2 million from Emirates Park at the 2023 Inglis Easter Sale. Named Ghaara, she has joined her big sister at Tulloch Lodge. 

Grisi has a yearling colt by The Autumn Sun and returns to him this Spring. 

Godolphin’s home-bred siblings Cylinder (MRC Vain S. G3) and Parisal (ATC Toy Show Quality G3) completed a remarkable same-day treble by descendants of Lonhro’s dam Shadea. 

The Autumn Sun is also the sire of Listed 2YO stakeswinner Coco Sun, Group 1-placed New Zealand winner Tulsi, Sydney winner Tutta La Vita & Hawkesbury winner Ashfall along with promising 2YO placegetters Influential, Matusalem & Private Legacy and 3YOs Autumn Belle & Harvest Moon.