South African breeding received a significant international boost this week when Autumn Glow, a daughter of South African Champion Sprinter Via Africa, was crowned Australian Racehorse of the Year for the 2025/26 season.

The outstanding daughter of The Autumn Sun also collected honours as Champion Middle Distance Horse, adding further lustre to an exceptional season which saw her establish herself among the brightest stars of the Australian turf.

Autumn Glow received 110 votes for the coveted Horse of the Year title, defeating Caulfield and Melbourne Cup winner Half Yours on 69, Sheza Alibi on 67, defending champion Via Sistina on 66 and Sir Delius on 65.

Her championship season included victories in the Gr1 Epsom Handicap, Gr1 Verry Elleegant Stakes and Gr1 George Ryder Stakes, while she also captured the A$10-million Golden Eagle.

Autumn Glow won her first 11 starts before suffering the first defeat of her career when third in the Gr1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes.

She returned for the new season in emphatic fashion at Randwick on 22 August, defeating Sheza Alibi in the Gr1 Winx Stakes to take her remarkable career record to 12 wins from 13 starts and register her fourth Gr1 success.

For South African breeders, however, it is the mare behind the champion which makes Autumn Glow’s rise particularly significant.

Autumn Glow is out of the South African-bred Via Africa, the brilliant daughter of Var and the Qui Danzig mare Bump ‘N Grind, trained by Duncan Howells.

Bred and raced by the late Andre Hauptfleisch in partnership with Albert Boshoff, Via Africa was crowned South Africa’s Champion Sprinter.

Her 10 victories included three at Gr1 level, the Cape Flying Championship and two renewals of the South African Fillies Sprint.

Exported to Australia for her broodmare career, Via Africa has gone on to establish an outstanding record at stud.

Her three runners are all winners, headed by two individual Gr1 winners.

Her first Gr1 winner, In The Congo, a son of Snitzel, captured the Gr1 Golden Rose Stakes and now stands at Newgate Farm in Australia.

Via Africa is also the dam of Pleasant Endeavor, a six-time winner in Hong Kong.

Autumn Glow, by The Autumn Sun, is a half-sister to In The Congo and has now added four Gr1 victories to Via Africa’s growing record as a broodmare.

From South Africa To The World

Bred in Australia by Newhaven Park, Autumn Glow attracted attention from the beginning.

She was offered by Newhaven Park at the 2022 Magic Millions Gold Coast National Weanling Sale, where she was purchased by Silverdale Farm and Shrone Bloodstock for A$600,000.

Reoffered through Silverdale Farm at the 2023 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale, she was purchased by Arrowfield Stud and Hermitage Thoroughbreds for A$1,8-million.

The Chris Waller-trained mare has subsequently earned more than A$9-million on the racecourse.

Yet behind one of Australia’s most accomplished current race mares lies a distinctly South African female line.

Via Africa was herself produced from the Qui Danzig mare Bump ‘N Grind, before becoming one of the outstanding daughters of Var on the South African turf.

Her achievements at stud have now carried that South African influence onto the international stage.

From Via Africa’s own championship performances in South Africa, to the Gr1 Golden Rose success of In The Congo and now the extraordinary achievements of Australian Horse of the Year Autumn Glow, Via Africa’s influence continues to be felt at the highest level.

For South African breeders, Autumn Glow’s championship provides another compelling reminder of the quality and international relevance of South African bred bloodlines.