The Autumn Sun still rising

The Autumn Sun’s explosive victory in the 2018 Caulfield Guineas was more than enough to guarantee this regally-bred colt an auspicious future stud career. If his stallion passport needed one more stamp, it was provided in the Group One Randwick Guineas. 

The Autumn Sun (Redoute’s Choice x Azmiyna) produced one of the most stunning performances 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.

The colt’s reputation was significantly enhanced with a performance described by part owner, breeder and vendor, John Messara –as “the best thing I’ve ever seen on a racecourse’’.

Punters had all but torn up their tickets at the top of the straight.

“I’d given up, well and truly given up,’’ said Messara.

Messara is the first to understand and appreciate the quality of his horse. He has raced many champions including Weekend Hussler, All American, Alverta, Animal Kingdom, Dundeel, Flying Spur, Mahaya, Miss Finland, Snitzel and The Autumn Sun’s sire Redoute’s Choice.

What now for the champion 3YO?

Colts of his ilk, with an already attractive track record after the Melbourne Spring, are rushed off to stud in fear that a poor performance may diminish his value.

Not so for The Autumn Sun.

The Autumn Sun has already surpassed the “retire early” benchmark needed for a full book of mares. What does the future hold for The Autumn Sun? Do we see what extra levels he can achieve on the racetrack?

Many historians say he still has a way to go to be spoken of in the same breath as champions like Octagonal, Kingston Town, Lonhro, to name a few.

Having already secured his breeding future, what is there to lose by testing the colt at similar lofty heights as those aforementioned champions? 

A Cox Plate victory would surely catapult the horse into greatness.

Messara, who always holds breeding value first and foremost in his mind, has hinted he may not be around next spring.

Personally, I don’t see the value in not attempting a Cox Plate campaign. 

Alternatively, several targeted races in the European summer must be enticing for the Arrowfield group. 

Given the colt’s impeccable international pedigree, by champion Australian sire Redoute’s Choice from a Galileo half sister to champion Azamour, the world is his oyster if he can achieve international success.

Right now, the world is not taking notice. A promising 3YO from down under with an attractive international pedigree is the best they would be thinking at this point.

In reality, The Autumn Sun is a horse highly suited to European racing. An untapped reserve of stamina, coupled with a devastating turn of foot, he can quickly put his opposition to the sword.

A northern hemisphere campaign, like So You Think who proudly showcased Australian racing in the UK and Europe, would seem appropriate for this colt.

Success in Europe would not only enhance The Autumn Sun’s astronomical stud value but also those of other Redoute’s Choice sons.

It would open the floodgates for European breeders seeking sons and grandsons of the legendary sire. 

A once-in-a-generation sire phenomenon in Australia, Redoute’s Choice shuttled to the Aga Khan’s Haras de Bonneval in 2013 and 2014. 

Redoute’s Choice’s reputation is growing in the northern hemisphere, with 7 stakeswinners already from these two crops.

The Autumn Sun’s value has no apparent ceiling

The Autumn Sun is by Redoute’s Choice, the country’s greatest active sire, and sire of sires.

He was an outstanding yearling, selling for $700,000 at the 2017 Australian Easter Yearling Sale.

He has an impeccable female ancestry.

Arguably, none of the more expensive Redoute’s Choice yearlings in the catalogue (including the $2.5M colt, $1.8M filly and $1.0M colt) had a better distaff line.

The Autumn Sun is a stunning looking horse that would hold centre stage at any stallion parade.

He is a multiple Group One winner, including victory in the stallion-making race, the Caulfield Guineas. He has shown champion qualities on more than one occasion.

So, with a stellar breeding career already assured, it seems a waste of opportunity to not explore every possible chance of achieving more milestones on the racetrack.

Racing is certainly not everything in the life of a champion thoroughbred, but for the racing purist, the sun must not set on this valuable colt anytime soon.

Category: Racing