William T poised for victory in the Autumn Stakes
William T, a four-year-old racing sensation, is gearing up for a prominent appearance in Saturday's Grade 3 Autumn Stakes at Woodbine. The thoroughbred arrives at this prestigious event in exceptional condition, having recently clinched a remarkable victory in the Durham Cup (Grade 3), a mile and a sixteenth track feature for horses aged three and up, held on September 19.
The Autumn Stakes, a demanding mile and an eighth main track competition, has attracted a field of six contenders, with William T standing out as a strong favorite. His recent win marked his inaugural graded-stakes triumph and his second consecutive victory, showcasing the impressive capabilities of this son of Frosted, out of the Hard Spun mare Upper Brass. Trainer Donald MacRae expressed a pleasant surprise at William T's Durham Cup performance, noting that despite being a last-minute entry, the horse exceeded expectations.
MacRae recounted, "I was hoping for a second or third-place finish, but he delivered the race of his life, truly stepping up to the challenge." He emphasized William T's extraordinary resolve, stating, "He had every reason to settle for second halfway down the stretch, but he displayed immense determination. In the final few strides, he demonstrated what a truly exceptional horse does." This victory was particularly significant, following a commanding five and a quarter length win at the same distance in August, a race initially planned for turf. MacRae had anticipated this earlier success, explaining, "We struggled to find two-turn races, which he thrives on, so when the opportunity arose, we believed he would perform exceptionally, and he did."
Bred in Ontario by Anderson Farms, William T boasts a commendable record of 3 wins, 5 second-place finishes, and 2 third-place finishes from 11 starts, accumulating an impressive $261,487 in earnings. MacRae affirmed the horse's current excellent state, stating, "He's in good order and prepared to race. We just need to get him into the gate now." A key adjustment in William T's training has been the removal of his tongue tie. "We use them on many horses, but it seemed to be bothering him, so one day we decided to take it off," MacRae explained. "It has relaxed him considerably and proven very beneficial."
Owned by Michael Lay, William T secured his maiden win in his fourth start, a six-length triumph over a mile and a sixteenth on the Woodbine main track on July 13, 2025. Following an unplaced finish in last year's King's Plate, William T, acquired for $45,000 at the 2023 Fasig-Tipton Kentucky fall yearling sale, achieved four consecutive second-place finishes before embarking on his current winning streak. MacRae praised William T's development, remarking, "It's gratifying to lead a horse knowing you'll get a genuine effort from them. He has matured significantly and genuinely enjoys his work." He drew a parallel to a past horse, Civil Code, noting William T's similar playful intimidation tactics. "He likes to show off to other horses, much like someone puffing their chest out in a bar to assert dominance. He enjoys doing that on his way home, making other horses flinch. He seems to derive great pleasure from it."
As William T prepares for the Autumn Stakes, his recent performances and the strategic adjustments made by his trainer paint a picture of a horse poised for continued success. His journey from a $45,000 yearling purchase to a graded-stakes winner highlights his inherent talent and the meticulous care he has received. With his determination and improved comfort, William T is a strong contender in the upcoming race, promising an exciting and competitive event at Woodbine.