The 2026 edition of the George Ryder Stakes has been run, with Chris Wallers’s star mare Autumn Glow proving too strong for rivals to claim the Group 1 race.
Below is what the winning trainer, winning jockey and beaten riders had to say following the Group 1 feature.
Winning Trainer: Chris Waller
Autumn Glow 11/11: “I guess the last two were sort of pressure, pressure, without pulling ourselves up – we know what racing’s about, we know what’s going on. To get that out of the way and then to deal with a champion in the next race, it’s pretty special. Yeah, I’m sure he got a good kick out of it.”
Describing AG as a champion: “Yeah, in my eyes she is – I’m qualified to know what one’s like. So, yeah, she’s a very talented horse. Obviously, longevity is the key now. If she keeps doing that, she’ll be a champion for sure.”
Next race: “Just wait, wait. We’ll give them our best opinion of what we think. Look, she just does everything so effortlessly. That’ll help her get 2000m. It’d be so good to get some feedback from James. Go and ask James.”
Winning Jockey: James McDonald
11/11 record: “It was evident in the week when Chris said you’ll see something special, so when he says that, I take notice because 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, certain horses throughout your life, and she’s one you don’t.”
Waller describing AG as a champion: “Did he? Yeah, well, he knows what a champion looks like. And for him to say that, he doesn’t take it lightly. I’m sure she is. And he’s a champion too.”
Queen Elizabeth: “I’m sick of bloody pointing where she goes. I’ll let him decide, and John will decide and we’ll go from there. Put it this way, I wouldn’t be shying away from any horse in the country.”
Relief after breaking record: “Oh, for sure. She’s important. Let’s not beat around the bush, she’s 11 from 11. People are here to come out and see her, and she’s got such an amazing fanfare now – it’s growing. It’s incredible. The feeling you get off these horses and it’s special to witness people pin their eyeballs on her. I thought Anamoe was a big deal. This horse has taken it to a new level.”
Beaten Jockeys:
Nash Rawiller (Gringotts): “Awesome run. The mare dropped us 500m from home. It took 100m for us to get through that flat spot. Really proud of the way he hit the line the last 300m. Took an awkward run and really accelerated the last 100m. Great effort.”
Craig Williams (Pericles): “For a horse who had no favour from the barriers, he’s run super. He is going really well. Just needs a little more favour from the wide barrier draw.”
Luke Currie (Evaporate): “Seemed like he raced a bit flat today.”
Jason Collett (Headley Grange): “He ran great. I just got dragged out of it from the middle section behind Pericles. Good run.”
Dylan Gibbons (Yorkshire): “I think we had a great run. Like to see what the vet says.”
Zac Lloyd (Linebacker): “Not his best performance. It’s probably the best he has begun. It’s been a work in progress for us. He drops 6kg into his next run. Hope we can see a better Linebacker.”
Rachel King (Encap): “He has run really well again. Obviously a tough race but he acquitted himself well.”
Tommy Berry (Lady Shenandoah): “She was brilliant. She relaxed really well in the run. Executed herself well there. Before the race she got quite hot and bothered. That probably told at the tail end of the race. She will be better for the run. Queen Of The Turf probably a really good race for her.”
Adam Hyeronimus (Beiwacht): “He has gone terrific again today against the older horses. Just needs to execute it a bit better in that first furlong at this distance, at this age.”
Andrew Adkins (Attica): “Happy with him. They were a bit smart for him off the corner. Going to a strong mile at Randwick sets up well.”
Tyler Schiller (Nepotism): “Mentally he is just not there at the moment. He just pulled himself up at the 200m. Not sure.”
