Loss of Redoute’s Choice a factor in The Autumn Sun’s retirement

Arrowfield Stud supremo John Messara said the recent death of super stallion Redoute’s Choice hastened the racetrack retirement of the former champion sire’s exceptionally bred son The Autumn Sun.

Redoute’s Choice died late last month, aged 22, after a stud career in which he sired a remarkable 163 individual Stakes winners across his 19 seasons standing at the Hunter Valley nursery.

The Autumn Sun was among the best of those progeny, but after a career in which the Chris Waller-trained colt won eight of his nine race starts and five group 1s, the lure of a lucrative stud career was too much.

“After extensive discussions, the opportunity to return the colt to his spiritual home and fill the gap left by the death of Redoute’s Choice proved too compelling,” said Messara, setting The Autumn Sun’s service fee at $77,000.

“We backed Redoute’s Choice as a sire of sires early in his career, we stand Snitzel and Not A Single Doubt, and Beneteau was also highly successful for us. That history makes the best colt by Redoute’s Choice an irresistible prospect.”

Messara also paid tribute to The Autumn Sun’s master handler and his careful placement and preparation of the valuable prospect.

“The quality of The Autumn Sun’s race record also reflects the skill and dedication of trainer Chris Waller and his team, and we’re very grateful for their care and management of him,” he said.