The remarkable winning streak of Chris Waller‘s Group 1 heroine Autumn Glow continues unabated after she claimed a sensational victory in the $10 million Golden Eagle at Royal Randwick, firming her status as Australia’s most exciting rising star.

2025 Golden Eagle winner Autumn Glow saluted for the punters to extend her unbeaten streak to eight. Photo: Bradley Photos.

In a commanding performance in the rich feature exclusively for four-year-olds, the unbeaten mare delivered Waller his second success in the event, following Kolding’s inaugural win in 2019.

Waller spoke in glowing terms about the The Autumn Sun mare’s exceptional qualities immediately after the race.

“She is a star. It is as simple as that. She does it each and every time,” he said.

“There is nothing that shows us that much at home.

“That heart and determination and presence that she has is really quite special.”

J-Mac Navigates Tricky Conditions

Ridden by master hoop James McDonald, the mare, who jumped from barrier 9, settled midfield despite concerns about the on-pace bias.

The Soft (7) rated track provided a genuine test, forcing McDonald to adapt his tactics on the daughter of The Autumn Sun.

Waller detailed the tactical challenge presented by the going.

“Today’s race was tricky,” he said.

“We could see the track was hard to get a handle on.

“Some horses aren’t getting through the going as well as you would like.

“Horses on pace were dominating. We knew we had to be a bit closer and they were running fast through the midstages.

“James was at her to stay with them. For her to come out as Darren Flindell said to ‘open the shoulders’ was pretty special to watch.”

McDonald unleashed his partner in the straight, and Autumn Glow responded instantly.

She levelled up with the leader, Perfumist, and powered clear over the final furlong to win and add the Golden Eagle to her recent Group 1 Epsom Handicap victory.

The champion jockey was effusive in his praise for the undefeated runner.

“She gives me that ooh la la feeling,” McDonald said.

“I don’t think we’ve seen the best version of her yet either. So just incredible.

“We’re so lucky to have her. She can be out on her feet, and she just keeps finding.

“She’s incredible, I’m telling you. She is fair dinkum.”

Margin and Future Targets

Autumn Glow had 1.25 lengths to spare on the line over runner-up Sepals, who chased hard but was outclassed in the closing stages.

Evaporate was eye-catching in third, completing the placings.

Jockey Ethan Brown was immensely proud of the runner-up, the recent Sir Rupert Clarke winner.

“Super run,” he said of Sepals.

“Inexperienced the Sydney way first time. Showed a lot of courage running into a superstar.”

The victory extends Autumn Glow’s career record to an extraordinary eight wins from eight starts.

McDonald noted that the rain affected ground provided a necessary challenge.

“She knew she was in a race today and it was all due to the heavy ground,” he said, with Randwick officially rated a Soft (7).

“It was very testing out there for her. We had to ride her a certain way to obviously win, and she was good enough to do it.

“She’s incredible how you can give her a kick out of the gates and she just comes back, switches off and goes again.

“She absorbs pressure, she’s got an incredible turn of foot and we’re lucky to have her.

“She knew she was out there today. That was her first run where she really had an acid test put to her and she came through it well, but she’s done a great job.

“She’s incredible.”

Waller emphasised the management philosophy behind her success, particularly after her dominant Epsom Handicap triumph.

“We have just looked after her. It is a simple as that. Look after them and they will look after you,” he said.

Following the win, speculation immediately turned to the $6 million Ladbrokes Cox Plate (2040m), which will be held for the first time at Flemington next October.

McDonald was clear about his hopes for her future.

“(Chris Waller) a genius, he’ll work it out. I don’t really need to tell him where he wants to put her, but God, I’d love to see her in a Cox Plate,” he said.

Futures betting on the 2026 Cox Plate is already open at Ladbrokes, with Autumn Glow installed as the immediate $4.40 early favourite.

2025 Golden Eagle Results

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