First Winner for The Autumn Sun

Tara Madgwick - Monday February 6

Arrowfield Stud’s promising young sire The Autumn Sun is on the board with his first winner and interestingly Tulsi was also the most expensive filly purchased from the Inglis Classic Yearling Sale last year when snapped up by Glenn Burrows Bloodstock for $550,000.

Race favourite Tulsi justified some inspired support when she made a successful debut at Tauherenikau in New Zealand on Monday.

Tulsi claims victory on debut at Tauherenikau Photo Credit: Race Images – Peter Rubery

The Johno Benner and Hollie Wynyard-trained juvenile had won a trial in impressive fashion at Foxton last month, with punters seeing enough to install her the $2.10 favourite for the 1000m two-year-old dash, with Michael McNab aboard.

McNab bounced the filly away well but elected to take cover as the early pace was disputed by stablemates Lincoln Towers and Get Funky.

McNab swooped wide on the corner and under a vigorous ride Tulsi unleashed a powerful finishing burst to take the victory by a head.

Raced by Gary Harding after she was purchased from the Valiant Stud draft at the 2022 Inglis Classic Sale on his behalf by Glenn Burrows Bloodstock for $550,000, Tulsi looks to have a bright future ahead of her, an opinion shared by Benner.

Tulsi was the most expensive filly and third highest priced yearling sold at Inglis Classic last year.

“She looks and raced like a true professional, which was great to see as she was up against a field that had plenty of raceday experience,” Benner said.

“She has improved after her trials and what she has done today suggests there is plenty of ability there.

“She is a very laid back filly who is built more like a colt, but I loved just how relaxed she was before the race and again when she pulled up.”

Advertisement

Benner is keen to lift his sights for his charge who the stable had identified as a stakes contender some time ago.

“We thought we had a good one on our hands so we have taken a patient approach with her as I believe whatever she does at two, she will be even better next season,” he said.

“We have just ticked her along and now she has that experience under her belt we will see how she pulls up before deciding where to next, but a race like the Sires’ Produce (Gr.1, 1400m) at Awapuni is not out of the question.

“I think she will definitely get a mile as a three-year-old but for the time being we will just let her tell us how far we can go in this campaign.”

Tulsi is the first winner for Lonhro mare Talimena, a winning half-sister to Group I ATC Golden Slipper winner Kiamichi and stakes-winner Cossetot from the family of Group I winners Denman and Preserve.

Talimena was one of 159 mares covered last spring by The Autumn Sun.

The Autumn Sun

Tulsi is the first winner for Arrowfield Stud’s champion Redoute’s Choice son The Autumn Sun, who has 15 entries for Inglis Classic, which kicks off this Sunday in Sydney.

Advertisment

Race Result - Herbert Morton Accountants Mdn 1000m

Tauherenikau Track: Good(4) Time: 0:57.20
1
Tulsi
- 2f The Autumn Sun (AUS) x Talimena (AUS) (Lonhro (AUS))
Tnr: J Benner & H Wynyard Rdr: M J Mc Nab 55.5
Inglis Classic Yearling Sale $520,000
Seller: Valiant Stud, Aberdeen
Buyer: Magus Equine Ltd
2
0.2
No Rain Ever
- 2f No Nay Never (USA) x November Rain (NZ) (Stravinsky (USA))
Tnr: W J Thurlow Rdr: R T Elliot 55.5
3
2.5
Chantilly Lace
- 2f U S Navy Flag (USA) x On The Move (AUS) (More Than Ready (USA))
Tnr: C A Bambry Rdr: K L Hannan 53.5
4
2.8
Lincoln Towers
- 2c U S Navy Flag (USA) x Palace Gardens (NZ) (More Than Ready (USA))
Tnr: Ms L Latta Rdr: J K Riddell 57.5
5
3.0
Get Funky
- 2f Sidestep (AUS) x Pieetys (AUS) (Canny Lad (AUS))
Tnr: Ms L Latta Rdr: L T Hemi 55.5
6
5.8
Cherished Lady
- 2f Dundeel (NZ) x Kyrie Eleison (NZ) (O'Reilly (NZ))
Tnr: K Gray Rdr: L Sutherland 52.5
7
8.8
Langmore
- 2f Almanzor (FR) x Ruthless Lady (NZ) (Keeper (AUS))
Tnr: J G Bary Rdr: C J Grylls 55.5
More Reading...
Les Young Scholarship sets Miriam on track for industry leadership
Miriam Drinnan’s vision for a big, bold career in the Thoroughbred industry has just been turbo-charged thanks to the Les Young Scholarship, an award supported by the AgriFutures Thoroughbred Horses Program.
All the Way Anders Winner for Myracehorse
The Myracehorse colours struck again at Doomben on Wednesday carried by progressive Anders filly Diversity, who broke her maiden in good style.
Hot Lots Day 2 - Tattersalls October Yearling Sale Book 1
The Tattersalls October Yearling Sale second session kicks off tonight our time and for those interested in the number one yearling sale in Europe we are taking a look at some of the yearlings tipped to top each day and they include the half-brother to a two time Aussie G1 winner and a colt from a mare bought in Australia for $2.3million.
Written Tycoon’s Pictor Leads Home Waller Trifecta
Having made his debut back in June with a narrow second behind fellow Yulong owned Written Tycoon colt Grand Prairie, who three starts later won the Group 3 ATC Up And Coming Stakes, Chris Waller’s progressive Pictor appreciated the step to 1400m to score at just his third career start.
Sejardan Fits 2YO Speed Profile
There were three feature juvenile contests held at Flemington and Randwick last weekend and as usually is the case with such races, they were won by horses whose pedigrees suggested that good early form was on the cards.
Sires With Winners - Tuesday October 7
Here is the full list of 25 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Lofty Goals for The Autumn Sun Filly Tulsi
Johno Benner is looking forward to taking on leading juvenile Tokyo Tycoon with his lightly-raced filly Tulsi, even though he’s sure she will be better at three.
Two Highest Priced Yearlings in World This Year Highlight Tattersalls October Day 1
The opening day of Book 1 of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale saw two colts realise 3,700,000 guineas and 3,600,000 guineas, both exceeding the highest price for a yearling sold anywhere in the world in 2025, and five seven-figure lots.
The Autumn Sun Filly Ready for G1 Target
Johno Benner and Hollie Wynyard pride themselves on their strike rate and they are enjoying another successful season on that score.
G1 King Charles Next for Pier
Kiwi Group One winner Pier will not feature in this year’s Gr.1 Cox Plate (2040m), but he will still have the opportunity to run for a A$5 million stake back in Sydney.