| Autumn Boy, who shot to the headlines as a spring star, lived up to his name when he completed a big three-year-old double in today’s $750,000 Group One Rosehill Guineas (2000m). |
| The win, which sent jockey James McDonald to rarefied air as the most successful Group One winning jockey in Australian history, made it two elite Guineas successes for Autumn Boy after he scored a famous win in October’s Caulfield Guineas in Melbourne. The Chris Waller prepared son of The Autumn Sun was sent out the clear second favourite, at $2.45, for the big race, but left his rivals battling for the minor placings when he produced an electrifying turn of foot in the straight. At the post the outstanding colt was two lengths clear over Green Space, while the $2.10 favourite Observer was another three parts of a length back third. Trainer Chris Waller said it was always the plan to get Autumn Boy out to 2000 metres and he relished it after his eye catching effort in the recent Randwick Guineas. “Yeah, it is for sure – we wanted to try that,” Waller said. “Great owners, the Ritchies.” “I think the most disappointing thing last preparation, when I mentioned that he may have a short racing career, because he’s such a wonderful colt.” “They said, ‘Oh, we’re not in a rush to retire him, we want to keep them racing.’ So that’s great. And it’s good to see these colts race on and I’m sure he will.” “So yeah, we ticked the box for 2000 metres. His dad won it. He’s won it. And yeah, we’ll pick out some nice races in the spring for him,” Waller added. The win was a momentous one for James McDonald, surpassing the legendary Damien Oliver for Group One victories. “It’s lovely, but it’s a testament to the horses that I ride because they are phenomenal,” McDonald said modestly. “There’s no two ways about it, that I do ride the best horses and most favourites each race and I’m blessed to have that opportunity.” A $200,000 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale purchase by Waller and leading bloodstock agent Guy Mulcaster from the Amarina Farm draft in 2024, Autumn Boy was bred by New Zealand based Richard Rutherford. He is by Arrowfield Stud’s superstar sire The Autumn Sun (Redoute’s Choice) and is from an unraced daughter of Cox Plate winner and champion New Zealand sire Savabeel. Rosegarden, his dam, is a daughter of Otago’s White Robe Lodge Handicap (G3) winner O’Reilly Rose, a three quarter sister to Group One Newmarket Handicap winner Shamexpress. It is also the family, further back, of Group One winners including this season’s Victoria Oaks winner Strictly Business and Caulfield Cup winner Affinity. Autumn Boy’s sire The Autumn Sun capped a massive day at Rosehill when just over half an hour late his unbeaten champion daughter Autumn Glow won the Group One George Ryder Stakes for the same trainer-jockey combination. Autumn Glow was a $600,000 buy from the Newhaven Park draft at the Magic Millions Gold Coast National Weanling Sale. Winner: Autumn Boy Breeding: The Autumn Sun-Rosegarden (Savabeel) Race: ATC Rosehill Guineas G1 (2000m) Sold for: $200,000 Sale: 2024 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale Earnings: $2,673,500 Breeder: Mr R Rutherford Vendor: Amarina Farm Buyer: Waller Racing/Mulcaster Bloodstock Owners: Ritchies Racing (Mgr: EGC Ritchie) Trainer: Chris Waller (Rosehill) |
