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NRL: Raiders vs Dogs LIVE from 9pmMcAvaney declares the best horse in Australia
Connor Scanlon • March 19th, 2026 4:12 pm
Last spring, legendary sports broadcaster Bruce McAvaney forecasted that Via Sistina would be the best horse in Australia come the end of 2025.
After the great mare completed the Cox Plate-Champions Stakes double, McAvaney’s prediction came to fruition.
But now with Via Sistina retired, the crown for Australia’s best horse is vacant. Speaking on SEN’s Whateley, McAvaney proclaimed Autumn Glow as the new best horse in the country.
The Chris Waller-trained four-year-old mare has already won over $7.5 million in prize money across her undefeated 10-race career and doesn’t look to be slowing down anytime soon.
“She's certainly the number one horse in the country,” McAvaney exclaimed.
“Every time she races that reputation goes on the line… She is unbeaten.
“There's always been an aura about her. James (McDonald) said from the very beginning when none of us really knew much about her, how special she might be.
“She cost $1.8 million, she's got John Messara as an owner and Chris as the trainer, so it's racing royalty all around her.
“She has stepped up to every challenge - she won an Epsom (1600m) with a big weight, she won a Golden Eagle (1500m) under not the easiest of conditions, and she's 10 for 10.
“She's running in the George Ryder (on Saturday) - this is where Winx was as a four-year-old mare with the George Ryder (1600m).”
In fact, the 72-year-old can’t even find a weakness for the daughter of The Autumn Sun.
“The thing with her, you can't find any vulnerability,” McAvaney stated.
“She jumps out of the barrier well, she can take up a position, her distance range certainly is from 1200m through to maybe a Cox Plate (2040m).
“Where's the weakness?”
However, despite the mare being ordained as Australia’s best current horse, the sports broadcaster explained that she still has a long way to go before being put in the conversation of the likes of Black Caviar and Winx.
“She's got so much to do to get alongside those other couple of horses (Black Caviar and Winx),” said McAvaney.
“And she may never do that - one defeat would be crushing in terms of her reputation because we've got this invincibility surrounding her at the moment.
“She'll be tested again on Saturday. If it keeps raining, this could be a bigger challenge (than the Verry Elleegant).
“You would have seen last time against Aeliana, she wasn't completely comfortable in the very, very wet conditions, so that might be another talking point on Saturday.”
Autumn Glow is looking to make it 11 wins from 11 races in the Group 1 George Ryder Stakes on Saturday.
She has James McDonald on board and is currently the $1.30 favourite with Sportsbet.
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