Arrowfield Buys Into The Autumn Sun

Arrowfield Stud principal John Messara, AM has today announced the acquisition of a 50 per cent interest in Australia's top colt The Autumn Sun from owner Hermitage Thoroughbreds.

He says, "I am very pleased to join Hermitage in the ownership of The Autumn Sun to race him and then develop his breeding career.

"It just seems Arrowfield is the rightful place for this colt's future at stud – after all, we bred and sold him in partnership with The Aga Khan Studs, and we launched and stood his champion sire and grand-sire."

"He has physique, athleticism and pedigree, all of the highest order, and I couldn't be more excited about the prospect of standing him at Arrowfield."


The Autumn Sun winning the BRC JJ Atkins S. G1. (PHOTO: Mark Gatt)

John Messara also assumes responsibility for managing The Autumn Sun's racing career.

Trainer Chris Waller says, "This horse has amazing potential and I feel we have unearthed only a small portion of what is to come. His athleticism, temperament, good looks and speed combine to create a horse that dominated at two and now into his three-year-old season, and I have no doubt this will continue as a later three-year-old and beyond.

"I have been fortunate to work with some very good horses and that experience has allowed me to place The Autumn Sun with confidence in the races that we have chosen thus far. He leaves a lasting memory for those privileged to watch him race and I am sure this will transition to his progeny when the time comes to embark on his stud career."

The Autumn Sun is out of the Galileo mare Azmiyna, a half-sister to His Highness The Aga Khan's European Champion and four- time Group 1 winner Azamour. Selected by Mulcaster Bloodstock from Arrowfield's 2017 Inglis Easter draft, the colt was purchased for $700,000 by Hermitage Thoroughbreds & Chris Waller Racing.

The Autumn Sun has already made a significant impact on Australian racing with four wins from only five starts, two of them at Group 1 level. Unbeaten at two when his three wins included the BRC JJ Atkins S. G1, The Autumn Sun confirmed his class with a breath-taking victory in last month's ATC Golden Rose S. G1.

Currently rated Australia's best 3YO by Timeform, he is the dominant pre-post favourite for this Saturday's $2 million MRC Caulfield Guineas G1.