Saturday’s G1 ATC King Charles III Stakes (1609m) was a case of quality over quantity, and while a small field of just five competed for the $5m in prizemoney, the 52,000 plus Randwick crowd were treated to a commanding display as Chris Waller’s Autumn Glow was once again supreme.
Starting shorter on fixed odds betting than Ka King Rising (NZ) did in the $20m TAB Everest, the James McDonald ridden Autumn Glow jumped from barrier 4, settling in third with Victorian visitor Just Folk taking up the running.
Looking for another G1 winner on the day after his ghostly grey Kingswood (GB) won the G1 Caulfield Cup, trainer Gavin Bedggood’s race outsider maintained a nice tempo up front with Militarize (NZ) sitting in second while Autumn Glow was free moving in third.
Having won the past two editions of the King Charles III Stakes, the Joe Pride trained Ceolwulf (NZ) looked very comfortable in fourth with recent surprise G1 Epsom winner God’s Window (GB) bringing up the rear in fifth.
Just Folk continued to lead, and while his jockey Jamie Mott was really starting to ride him along, the 10-year-old son of Magnus took the field into the home straight.
Pulling off the back of the leaders, James McDonald didn’t really even need to ask Autumn Glow for an effort as the daughter of The Autumn Sun ambled past the tiring front runners with ease.
While Ceolwulf made up some ground over the final 200m, Autumn Glow was never in danger as she pulled clear for a two and a quarter length victory over Pride’s runner with a further seven and a half lengths back to Just Folk in third.
Autumn Glow is UNTOUCHABLE! She leaves the field chasing shadows in the King Charles III Stakes! ?? @cwallerracing @mcacajamez @ArrowfieldStud @aus_turf_club https://t.co/3Z8O8J9Rn5
— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) October 17, 2026
“Her work has been fantastic; she is an absolute professional,” said Waller. “We asked her to do a bit more work during the week expecting a wet track and more speed in the race. But she took it all in stride and came out and did that today.”
“In modern day racing we have seen quite a few times this spring with tearaway leaders, so we have to have them a little bit fitter.
But it doesn’t matter how you train her, we just keep it simple and she trains herself. It has been an honour to be working with some great horses.
With the G1 Champions Mile looming as a possible Melbourne target, Waller indicated a discussion would need to be had with connections.
“We will have a chat with Mr Messara and Hermitage and see what they want to do. But we also want to make sure she has a long career so we want to look after her. She will go to the paddock for three days or so and we will enjoy the win.”
Surprisingly Autum Glow was the only winner for jockey James McDonald at the meeting, but what a winner to have.
“Lobbed into a good spot,” said McDonald. “I clicked her up at the 600m.”
“I wanted to open her up today. Hasn’t had a lung buster for a few starts. I opened her up and she got to the line.
“Was waiting for Ceolwulf with his blinkers on, he never came.”
When asked what her optimum trip was, McDonald highlighted her versatility.
“1200m, 1400m, a mile,” he said.
With 14 wins, five at G1 level and over $12.8m in earnings, Autumn Glow and Tempted treated race goers to a day of ‘girl power’ at Royal Randwick.
Bred by Newhaven Park, Autumn Glow was originally sold to Silverdale Farm and Shrone Bloodstock for $600,000 at the Magic Millions National Weanling Sale, before topping the 2023 Inglis Easter yearling sale when knocked down to Arrowfield Stud and Hermitage Thoroughbreds for $1.8m from the Silverdale Farm draft.
One of two individual G1 winners from three to the races out of South African Champion Sprinter, and multiple G1 winner Via Africa (Var), Autumn Glow is a three-quarter-sister to Newgate Farm’s G1 ATC Golden Rose Stakes winner In The Congo (Snitzel), whose first crop of 100 lives foals are 2yo’s of the current racing season.
Unfortunately, Via Africa’s breeding career has not gone to plan since foaling Autumn Glow, having not produced a foal in the subsequent seasons, with the mare covered by Zoustar last spring.
The sire of 13 stakes winners highlighted by five individual G1 winners, The Autumn Sun covered his largest ever book of mares last spring, and with a subsequent fee hike, the five-time G1-winning son of Redoute’s Choice is standing at a fee of $137,500 (inc. GST) this season.
