Hall of Fame trainer Chris Waller was moved to call Autumn Glow a champion after the mare thrashed a star-studded field in the Group 1 $1 million George Ryder Stakes (1500m) at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday.
“She’s a champion in my eyes,” Waller said.
“I’ve been fortunate to train many good horses, I’m qualified to know what one’s like, and she is something special.”
Waller has prepared many great horses over the years including the mighty mare Winx, Verry Elleegant, Via Sistina and Nature Strip but this was the first time the trainer placed racing’s ultimate accolade on Autumn Glow – and no one was arguing with the trainer.
Autumn Glow ,racing’s “Miss Invincible”, produced the most complete performance of her career to score her 11th win from as many starts.
She made a resounding statement toying with a field that included eight individual Group 1 winners and, in the process, surely has secured Horse of the Year.
Before a healthy Slipper Day crowd of 15,070, Autumn Glow was the third leg of an historic Group 1 treble in successive races for Waller and McDonald on a history-making day that featured:
#McDonald took his career Group 1 tally to an all-time record of 131, eclipsing the previous mark held by Damien Oliver on 129.
#Waller’s Group 1 hat-trick gives him 192 career majors and moves him within sight of the magical 200 barrier that has been eclipsed only twice previously by legendary trainers Bart Cummings and Tommy Smith who both finished on 246 wins each.
#Waller and McDonald have combined to win 56 Group 1 races together, smashing the previous record of 54 wins from the legendary trainer-jockey partnership of Tommy Smith and George Moore.
#Autumn Glow joined former Perth sprinter Barakey with 11 consecutive wins to start a race career, second only to the great Black Caviar who retired unbeaten with 25 wins, including 15 at Group 1 level.
Although Autumn Glow scored “only” the third Group 1 of her career – she has also won the Epsom Handicap and Verry Elleegant Stakes this season – the super mare also won the Golden Eagle last spring and took her career earnings over $8 million prizemoney.
Arrowfield Stud supremo John Messara has also raced many champions during a career spanning more than 50 years in racing but he declared Autumn Glow the best he has ever owned.
“It’s for others to say whether Autumn Glow is a champion or not but she’s the best racehorse I’ve had anything to do with,” Messara said.”She does things only champions can do. She has just beaten an outstanding field and beat them easily. I’m lost for words.”
McDonald’s was in the zone at Rosehill as he completed a Group 1 hat-trick on Aeliana (Ranvet Stakes), Autumn Boy (Rosehill Guineas) and then Autumn Glow (Ryder) who produced a win for the ages.”It was evident during the week when Chris (Waller) said you’ll see something special in the Ryder, so when he says that, I take notice,” McDonald said.”Her work’s been phenomenal. I truly believe she loves fast ground, because there’s not a horse that could come with her.
“It doesn’t matter what is in the race. She’s just got an amazing sustained speed, it’s quite incredible what we’re witnessing.
“She’s the jockey’s dream – you get nervous on horses but she’s one you don’t.”
Autumn Glow ($1.28 favourite) gave Waller a record-enhancing eighth win in the Ryder when she raced away to win by nearly three lengths from Gringotts ($19) with a short neck to Pericles ($16).
The winning margin could have been double if McDonald had so desired but he began to ease down on Autumn Glow 100m from home to enjoy the moment.
“Let’s not beat around the bush, she’s 11 from 11, people are here to see her, and she’s got such an amazing following now,” McDonald said.”And it’s growing, it’s incredible. The feeling you get off these horses, it’s special. I thought Anamoe was a big deal. This horse has taken it to a new level.”
Waller, McDonald and Messara are due to meet early next week to decide Autumn Glow’s next run which will be at Royal Randwick during The Championships in either the $4 million Doncaster Mile (1600m) on April 4 or the $5 million Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m) on April 11.
If “money talks”, then the Queen Elizabeth Stakes is looking more likely with TAB Fixed Odds slashing the mare’s price from $3 to $1.80 favourite.
“We’ll give them (owners) our best opinion of what we think,” Waller said.
“Look, she just does everything so effortlessly and that’ll help her get 2000m.”
