The Queen wins the King Charles
Autumn Glow has a 2.2 length margin on Ceowulf at the en of the King Charles III S. G1 with more than 7 lengths further back to Just Folk, God's Window & Militarize. (PHOTO: Darren Tindale)
Reigning Horse of the Year Autumn Glow added a 5th Group 1 victory to her near-flawless record in Saturday’s $5 million ATC King Charles III S. 1609m G1, defeating Ceolwulf whose four Group 1 wins include the last two King Charles renewals.
The boistrous Everest Day crowd, the rain-affected track and a small field, including Ceowulf whose rider Chad Schofield had just piloted Tempted to a sensational upset victory in The Everest, combined to present yet another test of Autumn Glow’s class and composure.
The Arrowfield & Hermitage-owned superstar passed with flying colours, aided once again by James McDonald’s mastery and her thorough preparation by Chris Waller and his team.
The Queen of Australian racing wins the King Charles 👑
14 wins from 15 starts for Autumn Glow 🌟
@mcacajamez @cwallerracing https://t.co/ldzABLsUSs
— 7HorseRacing 🐎 (@7horseracing) October 17, 2026
Asked by Racing & Sports journalist Ray Thomas, what makes Autumn Glow so good, her trainer Chris Waller replied, “She is very athletic, she has a great mind and natural brilliance. I think natural brilliance outweighs almost everything else because it is a rare gift.”
Jockey James McDonald echoed that assessment in different words, “Tractability, sustained speed and her turn of foot!”
He added, “She loves her racing, too. When the pace quickened she loved it, she really picks up and wants me to let her go. But she also knows when it is time to win the race. She’s an incredible horse, a great athlete.”
Autumn Glow has now won 14 of her 15 starts and $12.8 million prizemoney. A decision will be made this week about her next start, with options including the Champions Mile G1 on the final day of the Cup Carnival at Flemington.
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.
Via Africa is due to foal to Zoustar, while her daughter Protea (by Vancouver) has already produced a filly by The Autumn Sun for her owners Stephen & Liz Ryan.
As it usually does, Everest Day has shaken up the Australian General Sires’ Premiership, but The Autumn Sun holds his 2nd spot behind Street Boss (sire of brilliant Everest winner Tempted), and shares the lead by stakes wins (6) with Snitzel & Too Darn Hot.
