‘That ooh la la feeling ‘ – Autumn Glow makes it eight straight in Golden Eagle

James McDonald continues to be amazed by extraordinary unbeaten four-year-old Autumn Glow, who easily made in eight straight wins in the $10 million Golden Eagle.  

Neither a soft track or quality international opposition could end Autumn Glow’s burgeoning winning streak as the star mare claimed the Golden Eagle.

Backed into $1.75 favourite in the first edition of the rich race to be held at Randwick, Autumn Glow sat forward of midfield on a strong pace before McDonald brough her with a well-timed run.

She took some time to dispose of Sepals’ ($21) challenge, but won that battle and the race by 1.25 lengths, with Evaporate working home for third.

McDonald continues to be amazed by the Chris Waller-trained daughter of The Autumn Sun.

“She gives me that ooh la la feeling. I don’t think we’ve seen the best version of her yet either. So just incredible,” he said after the race.

“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.

“She knew she was in a race today and it was all due to the heavy ground. 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.”

McDonald said it was the first time that he had put the four-year-old to test in her eight-start career. She was equal to the challenge.

The Arrowfield-owned half-sister to Newgate stallion and Group 1 winner In The Congo has legitimate claims to be the most exciting horse in the country.

“She is a star. It is as simple as that. She does it each and every time. There is nothing that shows us that much at home. That heart and determination and presence that she has is really quite special,” Waller said.

“Today’s race was tricky. 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.

“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.”

A real golden girl!

Autumn Glow lands as the next big thing, and soars past them to take the Golden Eagle – and she remains unbeaten! 🦅 🤩@cwallerracing @mcacajamez @ArrowfieldStud @aus_turf_club pic.twitter.com/GIsuQiFvQY

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) November 1, 2025

Earlier, Jimmysstar atoned for his third placing in The Everest with an emphatic victory in the $3 million Russell Balding.

Sat back in the field by Ethan Brown, the Ciaron Maher-trained sprinter powered through the sticky ground to win by two-and-three-quarter lengths from Lady Shenandoah and the early leader Mazu.

“I love this horse so much. He’s a beauty and he’s just he’s matured and he knows what it’s about,” Brown said.

“I know he’s older now but Ciaron has just had him here in the best possible order every start. He was entitled to probably feel the pinch off the last run, and Ciaron just guided him through to this race. And he performed like it was his grand final.”