Via Sistina crowned Horse of the Year

Champion mare Via Sistina (Fastnet Rock) has capped an extraordinary 2024-25 campaign with the title of Australian Racehorse of the Year, announced at a ceremony at The Star in Brisbane on Sunday.

Prepared by Chris Waller for Yulong, Via Sistina polled 202 of a possible 204 votes to claim the award comfortably ahead of Bella Nipotina (Pride Of Dubai) on 75 and dual Oaks heroine Treasurethe Moment (Alabama Express) on 43.

The northern hemisphere-bred mare won seven Group 1 races during the season, headlined by her devastating eight-length Cox Plate triumph in record time and her Queen Elizabeth Stakes (Gr 1, 2000m) victory at Randwick in the autumn. Via Sistina also secured Champion Middle Distance honours, collecting 203 votes to defeat Mr Brightside (Bullbars) and Antino (Redwood).

Golden Slipper (Gr 1, 1200m) winner Marhoona (Snitzel) was voted Champion Two-Year-Old with 148 votes, narrowly ahead of Cool Archie (Cool Aza Beel) on 115, while VRC Oaks (Gr 1, 2500m) and ATC Oaks (Gr 1, 2400m) winner Treasurethe Moment earned 161 votes to edge Lady Shenandoah (Snitzel) and Aeliana (Castelvecchio) for Champion Three-Year-Old Filly.

Broadsiding (Too Darn Hot) was named Champion Three-Year-Old Colt/Gelding, while Bella Nipotina collected Champion Sprinter honours with 200 votes following her Everest (Gr 1, 1200m) success, and Melbourne Cup (Gr 1, 3200m) winner Knight’s Choice (Extreme Choice) secured the Champion Stayer title.

The ceremony also recognised the elevation of Black Caviar (Bel Esprit) and Winx (Street Cry) to Legend status in the Australian Racing Hall of Fame, with Peter Moody, Zac Purton, John Tapp, Mahogany (Last Tycoon) and Hydrogen (Delville Wood) inducted as Hall of Fame members.