Just one run after equalling the all-time Group 1 jockey record aboard Aeliana in the Ranvet Stakes, master rider James McDonald surged to the top of the tally thanks to an impressive victory by the Chris Waller-trained Autumn Boy in Saturday’s Rosehill Guineas 2026 results.

Surpassing Damien Oliver’s 129 Group 1 victories, J-Mac hit 130 elite level wins in this year’s $750,000 Rosehill Guineas (2000m) on Golden Slipper Day.

“It’s lovely, but it’s a testament to the horses that I ride because they are phenomenal,” McDonald told Sky Thoroughbred Central post-race speaking of his record.

“There’s no two ways about it, that I do ride the best horses and most favourites each race and I’m blessed to have that opportunity.”

“To get to a mark like this, it’s obviously special. Especially with how I look up to Damien Oliver.

“When I was growing up as a ten-year-old kid, he was riding Melbourne Cup winners. One that comes to mind is Media Puzzle when he went through so much adversity and still had the vivacity to come out on top. He’s a phenomenal rider.

“I’m just blessed with a great family and great support crew with Mark Guest and good family friends.

“John O’Shea, who is like a father figure to me. He got me over and he gave me so many chances even when I wasn’t riding well.

“Many trainers throughout Australia and New Zealand as well.”

The fifth Rosehill Guineas champ for Waller, three-year-old The Autumn Sun colt Autumn Boy ($2.45) returned to winning form third-up to improve on his lead-up second to the gun filly Sheza Alibi in the Randwick Guineas.

Adding another important Group 1 to his CV following on from a Caulfield Guineas victory in the spring, Autumn Boy relished the rise in trip handling his first 2000m assignment aplomb.

“We wanted to try that (2000m distance),” Waller said.

“Great owners, The Ritchies. I think the most disappointing thing last preparation, when I mentioned that he may have a short racing career, because he’s such a wonderful colt.”

“They said, ‘Oh, we’re not in a rush to retire him, we want to keep them racing.’

“So that’s great. And it’s good to see these colts race on and I’m sure he will.

“So yeah, we ticked the box for 2000 metres. His dad won it. He’s won it. And yeah, we’ll pick out some nice races in the spring for him.”

J-Mac produced another of his stunning trademark rides on Autumn Boy who was allowed to settle back sitting fifth on the turn for home as the 40/1 outsider Bingi did the work up front in the lead.

Once on the straight, McDonald got the gap he needed, hitting the button at the 250m as Autumn Boy responded in style exploding late to fly home over the final furlong and salute by just under two lengths in a historical performance by the young horse and his immortal hoop.

Running on well late to make up plenty of ground and cross second was the underrated Bjorn Baker-trained Green Spaces ($21), who came off back-to-back sixths in the Hobartville Stakes and Randwick Guineas.

Last start Australian Guineas champ Observer ($2.10F) ran a credible third in his maiden Sydney assignment losing few admirers despite his four-straight winning streak coming to an end.

“I tried to ride the perfect race on him,” Observer’s jockey Craig Williams said.

“Probably third up in his preparation at ten furlongs, he probably possesses better staying ability rather than the change which probably caught him out and they sprinted better.”

While the 2400m is an unknown, Autumn Boy remains in the mix for a potential run in the Group 1 $2 million Australian Derby at Randwick on April 4 although Waller is also considering a shortened prep ahead of the spring.

He has firmed in from $21 to $15 in the futures Australian Derby odds at Ladbrokes.com.au to become the second horse since 2014 to do the double alongside Riff Rocket (2024).

Markets are currently led by Saturday’s surprise Rosehill Guineas runner-up Green Spaces who has tightened from $6 to $3.50.

“He was enormous today. Will only be better when he gets over further as well,” Green Space’s rider in the Guineas, Rachel King, said putting out a warning to his rivals in the upcoming Derby.

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