First Stakes Winner for The Autumn Sun as Autumn Ballet Creates History in Black Opal

Mark Smith - Sunday March 12

A quinella for Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott in the Group III John McGrath Auto Black Opal Stakes (1200m) at Canberra on Sunday as Autumn Ballet created history in winning the feature on debut and in the process credited The Autumn Sun with his first stakes-winner.

Ridden by Tim Clark, Autumn Ballet tracked stablemate The Years (Time Test), before taking command at the 250m to win by two lengths. Make A Call (Extreme Choice) was length back in third.

&quo

Advertisement
t;Gai is here to break records. Gai and Adrian, what a terrific partnership, to be able to get this filly to the race and win first-up” stable representative Neil Paine said.

“Our stable is enjoying a terrific run with the two-year-olds.

“Tim rode that beautiful and we got the quinella.”  

‘A $340,000 purchase for Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott / Kestrel Thoroughbreds from the Arrowfield Stud draft at the 2022 Inglis Australian Easter, Autumn Ballet runs for a syndicate headed by Nick Vass.

Autumn Ballet a $340,000 Inglis Easter Yearling

The daughter of The Autumn Sun is the second winner from as many to race out of the Street Cry (IRE) mare Grisi.

Placed at Newcastle in a 2-start career, Grisi is a half-sister to Group II Meydan Zabeel Mile winner Zakouski (Shamardal), Group III Up and Coming Stakes winner and Group 1 Golden Rose runner-up Albrecht (Redoute’s Choice), and Group III Prix Thomas Bryon winner King’s Command (Dubawi).

Grisi’s dam O’Giselle (Octagonal) is a sister to champion racehorse and sire Lonhro.

Arrowfield Stud consigns a full-sister to the Black Opal winner to the Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale in April (lot 157).

Grisi foaled a colt by The Autumn Sun last spring.

A 5-time Group 1 winning son of Redoute’s Choice, The Autumn Sun stands at Arrowfield Stud for a fee of $66,000.

  

Advertisment

Race Result - John McGrath Auto Black Opal Gr3 1200m

Canberra Track: Soft(5) Time: 1:10.06
1
Autumn Ballet
- 2f The Autumn Sun (AUS) x Grisi (AUS) (Street Cry (IRE))
Tnr: G Waterhouse & A Bott Rdr: Tim Clark 54
MM Gold Coast Yearling Sale $325,000
Seller: Arrowfield Stud, Scone, NSW (As Agent)
Buyer: Waller Racing/Mulcaster Bloodstock
2
2.0
The Years
- 2c Time Test (GB) x Joy Anna (NZ) (Iffraaj (GB))
Tnr: G Waterhouse & A Bott Rdr: Regan Bayliss 56
Inglis Classic Yearling Sale $40,000
Seller: Wentwood Grange, Cambridge, NZ
Buyer: DJ Bowman Racing
3
3.0
Make A Call
- 2c Extreme Choice (AUS) x To Dubawi Go (AUS) (Dubawi (IRE))
Tnr: P & P Snowden Rdr: S Clipperton 56
4
3.4
Tiz Invincible
- 2f I Am Invincible (AUS) x Amuletum (GB) (New Approach (IRE))
Tnr: C Maher & D Eustace Rdr: M J Dee 54
5
3.5
Disneck
- 2c Trapeze Artist (AUS) x Lindisfarne (USA) (City Zip (USA))
Tnr: Bjorn Baker Rdr: Rachel King 57
6
5.7
Madeira Sunrise
- 2f I Am Invincible (AUS) x Indrabeel (NZ) (Savabeel (AUS))
Tnr: Michael Freedman Rdr: K S Latham 55
7
6.5
Cap Ferrat
- 2c Snitzel (AUS) x C'Est Beau La Vie (AUS) (Bernardini (USA))
Tnr: C J Waller Rdr: J B Mc Donald 56
8
7.2
Love Shuck
- 2g Mikki Isle (JPN) x Oyster Bell (AUS) (Magic Albert (AUS))
Tnr: Todd Smart Rdr: J Ford 56
9
8.9
Chop The Ice
- 2g Santos (AUS) x Lady Ice (AUS) (Redoute's Choice (AUS))
Tnr: G P Vella Rdr: S Guymer 56
10
15.6
Lady Jezam
- 2f Written By (AUS) x My Last Fling (AUS) (Sebring (AUS))
Tnr: G Portelli Rdr: Tyler Schiller 54
11
16.6
Legolas
- 2g Capitalist (AUS) x Elfee (NZ) (Iffraaj (GB))
Tnr: Bjorn Baker Rdr: Brock Ryan 56
More Reading...
Pinhook Winners 2024 NZB Ready to Run – Churchill Colt the Star
A record breaking NZB Ready to Run Sale this week at Karaka delivered plenty of pinhook success with 18 two year-olds selling for $300,000 or more above their yearling purchase price, so let’s take a look at some of the best of them.
Blockbuster Sale as NZB Ready to Run Records Tumble
Expectations were exceeded at Karaka with tremendous results witnessed across two days of selling at NZB’S 2024 Ready to Run Sale, confirming the demand for proven racetrack results and quality New Zealand-prepared horses.
Cambridge Stud News
It’s been the spring that keeps giving for Cambridge Stud and it’s not over yet.
$1.3million Snitzel Colt Ready to Fire on Debut for Te Akau
Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson are confident they have the young firepower to make an early impression in the first of the black type features at Pukekohe Park on Saturday.
Luberon Heads Cambridge Stud Saturday Charge
Lance Noble will attempt to add to a strong run of spring form for Cambridge Stud when he sends out five well-credentialled runners in Brendan and Jo Lindsay’s black and gold colours at Pukekohe on Saturday.
One to Watch – Hawkesbury
Castelvecchio has gone from nowhere to somewhere during the course of this spring with three stakes-winners putting his name in lights and he had a promising three year-old colt salute at Hawkesbury on Thursday that has now won two of three starts.
Magic Millions 2025 Magazine Online
The 2025 Magic Millions magazine is now online with a great mix of gallery images, editorial and vendor profilies.
Autumn Ballet Makes Winning Return in Silver Shadow
Progressive 3yo filly Autumn Ballet made a stunning return to the track in Saturday’s $300,000 Group II Darley Silver Shadow Stakes at Randwick.
Best On Breeding
The cerise, white crossed sashes and black cap of Bob Peters, Peter's Investments, may not be the once dominant force they have been for decades in Western Australian racing, but they are far from finished.
$2,000 Gavelhouse Bargain Keeps on Winning!
The Grey Goose continued to belie her purchase price last start when recording her fifth win at Wingatui, bringing her career earnings to more than $225,000.