Autumn Glow completed an unbeaten spring campaign with an impressive victory in the Group 1 Champions Mile at Flemington on Saturday, November 7, securing her sixth career Group 1 success. The Chris Waller-trained five-year-old mare delivered another commanding performance on her first appearance at the racecourse, winning by 1.3 lengths.
Ridden by James McDonald, Autumn Glow extended her outstanding record to 15 victories from 16 starts and took her career earnings to $14.6 million. The daughter of The Autumn Sun confirmed her position among Australia’s leading performers with another strong display.
The victory capped a remarkable campaign that also included Group 1 successes in the Winx Stakes and King Charles III Stakes, along with a Group 2 win in the Seven Stakes. Her Champions Mile success also completed an important milestone for her connections, who had been keen to see her perform at Flemington.
Autumn Glow Champions Mile Victory Highlights Successful Partnership
Autumn Glow was purchased for $1.8 million at the Inglis Easter Yearling Sale through a partnership between Arrowfield and The Hermitage. Bred by Newhaven Park, she was offered at the sale by Silverdale Farm.
The Hermitage representative Shannon Clarke attended Flemington to witness another major success for the reigning Australian Horse of the Year.
Clarke described the victory as a dream come true and acknowledged the achievements of Australian champions Black Caviar, Makybe Diva and Winx. He also expressed hope that Autumn Glow would continue to build her record and establish herself among the greats of Australian racing.
The victory completed a successful Melbourne Cup Carnival week for The Hermitage, which had earlier celebrated Group 1 wins with Lady Shenandoah in the Empire Rose Stakes and Stormy Marco in the Victoria Derby.
Arrowfield’s John Messara also welcomed the Flemington success, describing it as an important achievement for the mare and her connections. He highlighted the partnership behind her purchase and the journey that followed.
Earlier on the Flemington card, Watchme Win secured a Listed victory in the Fisher Stakes. The six-year-old, trained by Andrew Gluyas and ridden by Blake Shinn, delivered a deserved success after a consistent run of performances.
Watchme Win had been purchased for $160,000 at the Premier Yearling Sale by Gluyas and his former training partner Leon Macdonald. He was offered by Noorilim Park on behalf of his breeders, the Toorak Thoroughbred Breeding Trust.
Autumn Glow secured her sixth Group 1 victory at Flemington and completed an unbeaten spring campaign, while Watchme Win added a Listed Fisher Stakes success to the meeting.
For more stories, results, and updates from the world of horse racing, stay tuned to RaceBuzz.