Chris Waller‘s previously undefeated superstar, Autumn Glow, suffered her first loss finding the 2000m too strong when third to the incredibly tough Sir Delius in the 2026 Queen Elizabeth Stakes results at Royal Randwick.

The dream run of Autumn Glow, who entered this year’s Group 1 $5 million Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m) as the hot odds-on fancy having won her opening 11 starts on the trot, came to a devastating end with the mighty mare rolled by not one but two other horses in Saturday’s showcase race on The Championships Day 2.

Up in trip from her Group 1 George Ryder win over 1500m at Rosehill, Autumn Glow ($1.30F) found the extra trip too testing having to settle for third in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes trifecta behind the upset Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott-trained winner Sir Delius ($6) and her always honest stablemate Lindermann ($31) who continued to deliver at huge odds.

“This is the one that counted,” co-trainer Adrian Bott told the media.

“Obviously it was difficult those first parts of the preparation, he had a little bit of expectation on him from what he was able to achieve in the spring, but we kept focus and this was the goal that we really wanted to be able to achieve.”

While plenty of attention in the aftermath of the feature was the loss of the heavily backed favourite, all honours went to the smart Frankel five-year-old who defeated the queen.

In a race to remember, lightly raced entire Sir Delius secured his third Group 1 success when streaking away late off a perfectly timed, on-pace ride by big race specialist Craig Williams.

“Today was the right set-up and Craig (Williams) executed it perfectly,” Bott added.

“I’m delighted for all the owners that are involved and the team that’s made it possible.”

Williams had the eventual Queen Elizabeth Stakes champ second in the run behind Light Infantry Man around the turn ready to strike before hitting the lead at the top of the straight.

All eyes were on Autumn Glow who moved up into second, but she looked to be struggling while Sir Delius was going great guns.

Inside the final furlong the great bay and distance specialist got out to a two-length lead as Autumn Glow and Lindermann, who flashed up into third on the outside, did the chasing.

They ultimately ran out of time and were unable to catch Sir Delius who presented at his peak to finally return to elite level winning form after running back-to-back thirds in the Group 1 Verry Elleegant and Ranvet Stakes behind AG and the fellow Waller-trained mare Aeliana respectively this prep.

“We were a little bit negative last start (3rd in the Ranvet),” Bott said.

“Sir Owen gave Craig the rev up he maybe needed today and he’s come out and responded like champions do and he’s given a beauty.

“I’m delighted he’s (Sir Delius has) been able to get back to the top level.

“He’s executed really well and can’t wait for the spring again.”

The victory was emphatic in the end with Sir Delius 2.21 lengths clear of Waller’s Lonhro six-year-old Lindermann who came from last to run in the quinella, and Bott said it was up there with the best victory he’s celebrated in partnership with the great Waterhouse.

“It’s got to be right up there,” he said.

“Obviously the weight of these types of horses, that does weigh on you throughout the preparation.

“Coming here today against a champion mare (Autumn Glow) as well, it’s one of the biggest races we’ve been able to win as a partnership so it’s certainly right up there.”

For Williams, the result was also a career highlight, and it marked his third Group 1 aboard the horse who he rode to victory in last spring’s Group 1 Underwood / Turnbull Stakes double in Melbourne.

“It was great,” he said.

“I was lucky enough to get invited to this horse when they first purchased him for a Melbourne Cup path and what we had him in the spring was just amazing.

“Then brought him back in the autumn, the trainers and owners had so much challenges with what happened in the spring.”

As for the beaten Autumn Glow, her performance may not have produced the expected win, but jockey James McDonald still rates her as a beauty.

“She was so brave in defeat,” he said.

“They really stretched it from basically the 1400m.

“She relaxed and travelled into it beautifully.

“Credit to the winner; he sustained that speed.

“He was up there fighting and too good on the day.”

2026 Queen Elizabeth Stakes Results

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