The 2025/2026 Australian Racehorse of the Year awards, hosted by the New South Wales Racehorse Owners Association in conjunction with Racing NSW, took place at The Winx Stand ballroom Aug. 27 at Royal Randwick.
In an excellent night for champion trainer Chris Waller and Arrowfield Stud stallion The Autumn Sun, star mares Autumn Glow and Joliestar picked up awards, while Autumn Boy also starred.
Autumn Glow was named Australian Horse of the Year, claiming the honor with 110 votes from Half Yours (69 votes), Sheza Alibi (67), Via Sistina (66), and Sir Delius (65), and provided Waller with an incredible ninth winner of the prestigious award from the past 11.
The 5-year-old daughter of The Autumn Sun was also named champion middle distance horse for the season, with wins in that category coming in the Epsom Handicap (G1), Verry Elleegant Stakes (G1), and George Ryder Stakes (G1), amassing the second-most prize money of any horse with a whopping AU$8,562,500.
"What can I say. ... She has surpassed any dreams we had and she's still on her way, too," Arrowfield owner John Messara said of his mare.
"I have a lot of people to thank, including the Arrowfield team, both in head office and on the farm. ... My family, who put up with a lot of excitement and nerves on my part, of course those that have made it happen on the track: Chris Waller and his team. And James McDonald, James and Autumn Glow are a couple now, they're enjoined, and we love having him on board. He knows her so well."
Another one of Waller's star mares, Joliestar, landed champion sprinter honors, courtesy of her victories in the T. J. Smith Stakes (G1), Canterbury Stakes (G1), and Expressway Stakes (G2).
Waller completed his horse category treble with Autumn Boy, who grabbed the champion 3-year-old colt/gelding title after a pair of wins in the Caulfield Guineas (G1) and Rosehill Guineas (G1) and runner-up finishes in the Doncaster Handicap (G1) and Randwick Guineas (G1).
Sheza Alibi was predictably handed the title of champion 3-year-old filly after her resounding wins in both the Randwick Guineas and Doncaster Handicap, finishing with 197 votes over Tempted on 118 votes.
Half Yours proved a complete revelation during the 2025-26 campaign and deservedly scooped the honor of champion stayer, amassing 195 votes to beat Aeliana on a very commendable 122 votes.
The 6-year-old gelding registered back-to-back wins in the Caulfield Cup (G1) and Melbourne Cup (G1), and finished the season as leading earner on AU$9,032,450.
Champion 2-year-old went to the brilliant Golden Slipper Stakes (G1) winner Guest House, and he was his sire's, Home Affairs, leading light during the season and main provider for the stallion's champion first-season sires title.
The Arrowfield team was again back on stage when their late super sire Snitzel was crowned champion sire of the year, posthumously taking out his sixth award in that category.
Waller collected what was his 14th consecutive Bart Cummings Award for group 1 trainer of the year. The champion trainer collected 22 group 1 wins during the course of the 2025-26 season, surpassing his previous best tally of 19 in the 2024-25 campaign.
"J-Mac" is also on a run with the group 1 jockey of the year award, collecting his sixth consecutive trophy in that category as he rode 17 group 1 wins during the campaign, breaking the previous record of 16 wins held by Malcolm Johnston since the 1979-80 season.
