The Autumn Sun stuns in classic Guineas victory

Breednet - Sunday March 10
The Autumn Sun confirmed himself Australia's Champion 3YO elect while Trapeze Artist made it a fourth Group 1 win as Inglis graduates dominated the big races at Randwick today.

The Autumn Sun (Redoute's Choice x Azmiyna) produced one of the most stunning performances ever seen on an Australian racetrack, coming from near last in a strung-out field to win the Group 1 Randwick Guineas in the last stride.

It prompted part owner, breeder and vendor John Messara – who has raced many champions including The Autumn Sun's sire Redoute's Choice - to describe the win as "the best thing I've ever seen on a racecourse''.

"I'd given up, well and truly given up,'' Messara said.

"I turned around to Jon Freyer mid-race and said to him 'can't possibly win from there'.''

When asked what he thinks now, Messara replied "I think he's a champion, that's what I think.''

Olly Koolman, of part-owner The Hermitage – who purchased The Autumn Sun for $700,000 alongside Guy Mulcaster at the 2017 Australian Easter Yearling Sale – has known for a long time that he had a serious horse on his hands.

"The comments have been positive form the day he was broken in,'' Koolman said.

"You can hear that a lot but when it keeps on coming with a flow of confidence out of the stable, we've felt pretty good from a long way out.

"I think he just stamped himself today. He might have stamped himself before today but any doubters will probably jump on our bandwagon now.''

The Autumn Sun's Not A Single Doubt three-quarter brother (ex Azmiyna) is lot 369 at next month's Easter Yearling Sale, where he will be offered by Arrowfield.

The Easter Sale is at Riverside Stables on April 9 and 10.

To view the catalogue, CLICK HERE.

For Trapeze Artist (Snitzel), it was his fourth Group 1 success following previous wins in a Golden Rose, TJ Smith Stakes and All Aged Stakes.

He will return to Randwick in a month to defend his TJ Smith crown, before likely being retired to stud at the end of the season.

For owner Bert Vieira, who offered Trapeze Artist at the 2016 Easter Yearling Sale, it was an emotional moment.

"This one's for [wife] Gai, who is still in hospital watching and my daughter is with her, and it's for [jockey] Tye [Angland], who is upstairs here today,'' Vieira said.

"Tye gave me my first three Group 1 wins with this horse and I burst into tears when I saw him here today.

"He's such a great human being.

"This horse is an absolute warrior. He just keeps coming back prep after prep and keeps winning big races. He's a star.''

Meanwhile Nettoyer (Sebring) scored a valuable first Stakes victory when successful in the Group 3 Aspiration Quality at Randwick.

Trained by Wendy Roche, Nettoyer is a confirmed entry for The Chairman's Sale, which will be held at Riverside Stables on the evening of Friday May 3.

The catalogue will available in coming weeks.

Nettoyer was bought by John Crowley at the 2015 Easter Sale - where she was offered by Riversdale - before being pinhooked through the Inglis Ready2Race Sale.

At Flemington, Anjana (Sepoy) returned to the winners' stall with a dominant first-up victory in the Listed Incognitus Stakes.

Anjana was having her first run since Cox Plate Day and first run for the Mick Price stable and proved she was back to her best.

It was her fourth win from eight starts.

Anjana is a $34,000 Classic Yearling Sale buy for Roll The Dice Racing and Darren Weir, from Vieira Group.

FURTHER EASTER PEDIGREE UPDATES FROM TODAY'S STAKES RACING

* Lot 274 is a Sebring half brother to SUNLIGHT (ex Solar Charged), which won the Group 1 Newmarket Handicap at Flemington. He is being offered by Widden Stud.

* Lot 307 is a Medaglia d'Oro half brother (ex The Broken Shore) to SHOALS, which finished second in the Group 1 Canterbury Stakes at Randwick. He is being offered by Arrowfield.

* Lot 177 is a Fastnet Rock half sister (ex Personify) to TROPE, which finished second in the Listed Fireball Stakes at Randwick. She is being offered by Cressfield.

* Lot 435 is a Vancouver half brother (ex Elimbari) to VINCERE VOLARE, which finished third in the Group 2 Reisling Stakes at Randwick. He is being offered by Ascot Park.


Advertisment
More Reading...
New G1 Starspangledbanner - Beauty Eternal Wins Champion’s Mile
It was supposed to be a fairytale farewell for Hong Kong superstar Golden Sixty in the Group I Champion’s Mile (1600m) at Sha Tin on Sunday, but Zac Purton rewrote the script on Starspangledbanner gelding Beauty Eternal leading all the way to win.
Jones Exit a Big Win for Victorian Owners
Victorian Thoroughbred Racehorse Owners (TROA) Chairman, Jonathan Munz , claimed a big win for Racing with the forced departure of embattled Racing Victoria CEO , Andrew Jones .
Romantic Warrior Pulls it Out of the Fire with Record Third Win in G1 Queen Elizabeth II Cup
Following the defeats of the superstars Golden Sixty and California Spangle, Romantic Warrior (IRE) sent fans home happy when repelling a strong Japanese challenge to win a record third consecutive Group 1 FWD Queen Elizabeth II Cup (2000m) at Sha Tin.
Sires With Winners - Sunday April 28
Here is the full list of 65 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Royal Ascot Next for 1.25million Guinea Wootton Bassett Colt
Coolmore shuttler Wootton Bassett (GB) has been making news in Australia in  recent months with his first crop of locally bred yearlings lighting up sales around the country and overnight at Navan in Ireland he posted a brilliant debut winning two year-old with Royal Ascot aspirations.
Thronum Gelding Invincible Sage Triumphs in G1 Chairman's Sprint at Sha Tin
It was sixteen years between drinks for trainer David Hall to earn a second win in the Group 1 Chairman's Sprint Prize at Sha Tin courtesy of the progressive Thronum gelding Invincible Sage.
Pedigree Watch – 3YO Ireland – Oaks Hopeful
Classic contenders are popping up all over and Dermot Weld unleashed overnight at Navan for Aga Khan Studs in the Group III Salsabil Stakes (1m2f) at Navan.
Pedigree Watch – UK – 3YO Derby Hopeful
The Group III Bet365 Classic Trial (1m2f) was run overnight at Sandown with Godolphin unearthing a serious Epsom Derby contender by Dubawi.
Coolmore Announce Fees for 2024
Coolmore have announced their 2024 roster with 13 outstanding stallions and while perennial favourite Fastnet Rock has earned a well deserved retirement and boom young gun Justify (USA) will remain in Kentucky, there is still a wealth of talent and diversity on offer for Australian breeders seeking to produce their next champion with not one but two Golden Slipper winners in the mix.
$150,000 Tassort Colt Tops HTBA Sale at Riverside
A “natural 2YO from a fast family’’ topped today’s HTBA Yearling Sale at Riverside in a result that was “far and away more’’ than the vendor was expecting.