Sir Delius Brings Autumn Glow’s Streak to a Close
Sir Delius brought Autumn Glow’s unbeaten run to an end in the G1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Randwick.
Also in this week's WHR Weekly:
🇯🇵 Japan’s first Classic
🇫🇷 Key French Guineas trials
🇺🇸 Chad Brown records his 3,000th career win
What’s Happened
🇦🇺 Australia 🇦🇺
Wondermare Autumn Glow’s unbeaten 11-race streak came to an end at Randwick on Saturday when Melbourne Cup hope Sir Delius got back on top in the G1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes.
Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott’s star was masterfully ridden by Craig Williams to test Autumn Glow’s stamina and the plan worked; the mare only managing third behind the UK import.
There was a close finish to the G1 Sydney Cup which went to another European import; the ex-Aidan O’Brien-trained Changingoftheguard winning by a neck for trainer Kris Lees and jockey Jason Collett.
The G1 Queen of the Turf Stakes was more conclusive, however, three quarters of a length separating winner Idle Flyer from Lady Shenandoah. Zac Lloyd and Matthew Smith were the celebrating rider and trainer combo.
Weekends just don’t pass by without a G1 win for James McDonald and the Kiwi hoop dully greeted the judge on favourite Ohope Wins for trainer Chris Waller in the Australian Oaks.
There were also three G2s on the loaded card; Ciaron Maher took the Arrowfield 3yo Sprint with The Everest runner-up Tempted, while Cherry Bomshell took the Percy Sykes Stakes for trainer Annabel and Rob Archibald.
Later, In Flight caused a minor upset for trainer Joseph Pride, taking the Sapphire Stakes for fillies and mares in the hands of Williams.
Over at Ascot, the G2 WATC Derby went to Sentimental Legend, who prevailed for trainers Grant and Alana Williams and jockey William Pike, winning by two lengths from Tahni Talk.
🇫🇷 France 🇫🇷
Longchamp staged three G3s on Sunday, the first of which, the Prix de la Grotte, went to the Karl Burke-trained Evolutionist. The filly, ridden here by Shane Foley, may now head to the English 1000 Guineas before a tilt at the Prix de Diane.
Andre Fabre and Godolphin’s Komorebi is set for the G1 Poule d’Essai des Poulains after his win in the G3 Prix Fontainbleau, while Pearled Majesty heads to the G1 Prix du Jockey Club after taking the G3 Prix Noailles for trainer Mauricio Delcher Sanchez and Christophe Soumillon.
🇯🇵 Japan 🇯🇵
Two-year-old champion Star Anise ran out the conclusive winner of the G1 Oka Sho, or Japanese 1000 Guineas – the first Classic of the year in Japan. Ridden by Kohei Matsuyama, she beat Garavogue by two and a half lengths, for trainer Tomokazu Takano.
Two G2s took place on Saturday, starting at Hanshin where 2025 G1 Shuka Sho winner Embroidery and Christophe Lemaire won the Sankei Sports Hai Hanshin Himba Stakes by a neck from Kamunyak.
At Nakayama, there was a shock in the G2 New Zealand Trophy when Reservation popped up to win in the hands of Yusuke Hara. The three-year-old beat favourite Rodeo Drive by a neck.
🇺🇸 USA 🇺🇸
There was a minor upset in the G1 Maker’s Mark Mile at Keeneland on Friday when Breeders’ Cup Mile winner Notable Speech suffered trouble in running and could only manage fourth behind Zulu Kingdom. Ridden by Flavien Prat, the win was a 3000th career success for New York-based trainer Chad Brown.
At Keeneland on Saturday, Segesta and Expensive Queen could not be split in the G1 Jenny Wiley Stakes, resulting in a dead head for trainers Brown and Brendan Walsh, while Prat and Luis Saez shared the riding honours.
The G1 Apple Blossom at Oaklawn involved Breeders’ Cup qualification for the first time and Claret Beret earned her ticket with an impressive four and a half length win over hot favourite Nitrogen. The winner was ridden by Micah Husbands for trainer Saffie Joseph Jnr, who is enjoying a superb 2026.
Joseph also took Sunday’s Keeneland feature, the G2 Giant’s Causeway Stakes, with In Our Time, ridden by Prat.
What’s Happening
🇦🇺 Australia 🇦🇺
Randwick once again has the pick of the action and a stellar G1 All Aged Stakes, for which Melbourne Cup winner Half Yours is among the nominations, as well as defending champion Jimmystar.
The G1 Champagne Stakes features the unbeaten Southend, for trainer Gerald Ryan.
🇯🇵 Japan 🇯🇵
The G1 Satsuki Sho, or Japanese 2000 Guineas, is the feature race at Nakayama on Sunday, while Fukushima hosts the G3 Fukushima Himba Stakes. The G3 Antares Stakes also takes place at Hanshin on Saturday.
🇬🇧 UK 🇬🇧
It’s Craven week in Newmarket, with the colts’ Classic trial of the same name taking place on Thursday, alongside the G3 Abernant. The G3 Earl of Sefton and G3 Nell Gwyn, for fillies, are on Wednesday.
Former Champion Hurdler Constitution Hill’s flat journey continues Saturday when the fan favourite heads to the G3 John Porter Stakes at Newbury. The Berkshire track also hosts the G3 Greenham Stakes and G3 Fred Darling, two Classic trials.
🇺🇸 USA 🇺🇸
Oaklawn stages the race of the weekend on Saturday when Horse of the Year Sovereignty returns, taking on Preakness winner Journalism in the G2 Oaklawn Handicap. 2023 G1 Breeders’ Cup Classic winner White Abarrio adds further spice to the six-runner contest.
Elsewhere, the G2 Elkhorn Stakes takes place on Keeneland’s turf on Saturday, a day after the same venue stages the G2 Doubledogdare Stakes.
