Via Sistina

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Via Sistina
SireFastnet Rock
GrandsireDanehill
DamNigh
DamsireGalileo
SexMare
Foaled(2018-03-27)27 March 2018
CountryIreland
ColourBay
BreederLaundry Cottage Stud Farm
OwnerYulong Investments
TrainerGeorge Boughey (2021-2023)
Chris Waller (2024 onwards)
Record29: 16-4-5
EarningsA$19,402,488[1]
Major wins
Prix Fille de l'Air (2022)
Dahlia Stakes (2023)
Pretty Polly Stakes (2023)
Ranvet Stakes (2024, 2025)
Winx Stakes (2024, 2025)
Turnbull Stakes (2024)
W.S. Cox Plate (2024, 2025)
Champions Stakes (2024, 2025)
Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2025)
Awards
Australian Champion Racehorse of the Year (2024/25)
Australian Champion Middle Distance Racehorse (2024/25)
Timeform rating: 132

Via Sistina (foaled 27 March 2018) is a twelve-time Group 1 winning Irish bred Thoroughbred racehorse who is most notable for her victories in the 2024 and 2025 W.S. Cox Plate. She was retired after winning her second Champions Stakes in her last race.[2] After her victory in the 2024 W.S. Cox Plate, Via Sistina was awarded a Timeform rating of 132, the third highest ever given to a mare.[3] Additionally, Via Sistina earned a Longines rating of 127, which placed her third in the 2024 World's Best Racehorse Rankings.[4]

Background

Via Sistina was sired out of Fastnet Rock, a champion racehorse whose best wins include the Lightning Stakes and the Oakleigh Plate. Fastnet Rock was a successful stallion siring 44 Group 1 winners including Avantage, Atlantic Jewel, Merchant Navy, and Fascinating Rock. Via Sistina's grandsire Danehill was also a prolific sire, as he was the leading sire in Australia nine times, the leading sire in Great Britain three times, and the leading sire in France twice.[5]

Via Sistina originally raced in the UK under trainer Joseph Tuite before switching to George Boughey. She found early success in Britain claiming five wins in thirteen starts before being sold in the Tattersalls December Mare Sale in 2023 to Yulong Studs to train under Chris Waller.[6] In 2024, Yulong Investments acquired Panthalassa, an international Group 1 race winner and one of the richest racehorses in the world.[7][8] In addition to running a successful thoroughbred enterprise, Yulong Investments also has a division focusing on premium Wagyu beef.[9] In 2022, Yulong Investments purchased a female Wagyu cow for A$400,000, a record high auction price.[10]

Notable races

Date Race Track Field Placing Winner

(2nd Place)

 Winning

(Losing) Margin

 Jockey
2022 – Four-year-old season
11 November 2022G3 - Prix Fille de l'Air [11]Toulouse 11 1st(Winema) 1⁄2 lengthJamie Spencer
2023 – Five-year-old season
7 May 2023G2 - Dahlia Stakes [12]Newmarket 9 1st(Al Husn) 6 lengthsJamie Spencer
1 July 2023G1 - Pretty Polly Stakes[13][14]Curragh 9 1st(Stay Alert) 2 lengthsJamie Spencer
2024 – Six-year-old season
23 March 2024G1 - Ranvet StakesRosehill 6 1st(Place Du Carrousel) 1.2 lengths[15]James McDonald
13 April 2024G1 - Queen Eizabeth StakesRandwick 9 2ndPride Of Jenni (6.54 lengths)[16]James McDonald
24 August 2024G1 - Winx Stakes[17]Randwick 12 1st(Zougotcha) 0.07 lengths[18]Kerrin McEvoy
5 October 2024G1 - Turnbull Stakes[19][20]Flemington 16 1st(Buckaroo) 0.2 lengths[21]Damian Lane
26 October 2024G1 - Cox Plate[17][22]Moonee Valley 9 1st(Prognosis) 8 lengths[23]James McDonald
9 November 2024G1 - Champions Stakes[24]Flemington 11 1st(Atishu) 2.75 lengths[25]James McDonald
2025 – Seven-year-old season
15 February 2025G2 - Apollo StakesRandwick 8 3rdFangirl (1.02 lengths)[26]Kerrin McEvoy
1 March 2025G1 - Verry Elleegant StakesRandwick 8 1st(Fangirl) 0.36 lengths[27]James McDonald
22 March 2025G1 - Ranvet Stakes[28]Rosehill 6 1st(Lindermann) 1.53 lengths[29]James McDonald
12 April 2025G1 - Queen Eizabeth Stakes[17][30]Randwick 13 1st(Dubai Honour) 1.75 lengths[31]James McDonald
23 August 2025G1 - Winx StakesRandwick 11 1st(Aeliana) 0.36 lengths[32]James McDonald
13 September 2025G1 - Makybe Diva StakesFlemington 6 3rdMr Brightside (1.9 lengths)[33]James McDonald
4 October 2025G1 - Turnbull StakesFlemington 14 3rdSir Delius (2.21 lengths)[34]James McDonald
25 October 2025G1 - Cox PlateMoonee Valley 8 1st(Buckaroo) 0.1 lengths[35]James McDonald
8 November 2025G1 - Champions Stakes[36]Flemington 11 1st(Zambardo) 2.75 lengths[37]James McDonald

Pedigree

Pedigree of Via Sistina (IRE) 2018[38]
Sire
Fastnet Rock (AUS)
2001		 Danehill (USA)
1986		 Danzig Northern Dancer
Pas De Nom
Razyana His Majesty
Spring Adieu
Piccadilly Circus (AUS)
1995		 Royal Academy Nijinsky
Crimson Saint
Gatana Marauding
Twigalae
Dam
Nigh (IRE)
2010		 Galileo (IRE)
1998		 Sadlers Wells Northern Dancer
Fairy Bridge
Urban Sea Miswaki
Allegretta
Native Force (IRE)
1998		 Indian Ridge Ahonoora
Hillbrow
La Pellegrina Be My Guest
Spanish Habit

References

  1. "Via Sistina Horse Profile Search". racenet.com.au. Retrieved 30 October 2024.
  2. Dennis, Steve (18 January 2026). "Thank you, Via Sistina: Australia's mighty mare retired after 12 Group 1 wins | Topics: Chris Waller, Cox Plate, Yulong Investments, Via Sistina". Thoroughbred Racing Commentary. Retrieved 25 January 2026.
  3. "Racenet - Australia's Premier Horse Racing News, Form Guides & Tips". racenet.com.au. Retrieved 2026-03-16.
  4. Berry, Emma (2025-01-21). "City Of Troy and Laurel River Share Longines World's Best Racehorse Title". TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. Retrieved 2026-03-16.
  5. "Danehill (horse)". American Classic Pedigrees. Retrieved 2026-03-22.
  6. "Via Sistina leaves an elite legacy". www.racing.com. Retrieved 2026-03-16.
  7. "Who Are The Highest Earning Racehorses Of All Time?". Idol Horse. Retrieved 2026-03-16.
  8. "Panthalassa - Yulong Invest". yulonginvest.com.au. 2024-04-17. Retrieved 2026-03-16.
  9. "Wagyu - Yulong Invest". yulonginvest.com.au. 2025-09-04. Retrieved 2026-03-16.
  10. Rabone, Emily (2022-04-27). "All Breeds Australian Record Smashed at the 2022 Elite Wagyu Sale". Australian Wagyu Association. Retrieved 2026-03-16.
  11. Equidia (2022-11-11). "PRIX FILLE DE L' AIR - TOULOUSE - 11/11/2022 : partants, pronostics et résultats en vidéos - Course 4". www.equidia.fr (in French). Retrieved 2026-03-22.
  12. "Full Result | 15:00 Howden Dahlia Stakes (Fillies' And Mares' Group 2) | Newmarket | Sky Sports Horse Racing". Sky Sports. Retrieved 2026-03-22.
  13. O'Hanion, Justin (1 July 2023). "Via Sistina Rallies to Pretty Polly Score". www.bloodhorse.com. Retrieved 5 November 2025.
  14. Frary, Tom (July 1, 2023). "Fastnet Rock's Via Sistina Survives Inquiry To Win The Pretty Polly". TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.
  15. "Rosehill Gardens: Australian Turf Club Saturday 23, March 2024". www.racingaustralia.horse. Retrieved 2026-03-22.
  16. "Royal Randwick: Australian Turf Club Saturday 13, April 2024". www.racingaustralia.horse. Retrieved 2026-03-22.
  17. "Racenet - Australia's Premier Horse Racing News, Form Guides & Tips". racenet.com.au.
  18. "Royal Randwick: Australian Turf Club Saturday 24, August 2024". www.racingaustralia.horse. Retrieved 2026-03-22.
  19. "Full Result 7.25 Flemington (AUS) | 5 October 2024 | Racing Post". www.racingpost.com.
  20. "Via Sistina bounces back after Makybe Diva disappointment". 7NEWS. October 6, 2024.
  21. "Flemington: Victoria Racing Club Saturday 05, October 2024". www.racingaustralia.horse. Retrieved 2026-03-22.
  22. "'Stuff of legends': Via Sistina's Cox Plate domination breaks Winx record". Fox Sports. October 26, 2024.
  23. "The Valley: Moonee Valley Racing Club Saturday 26, October 2024". www.racingaustralia.horse. Retrieved 2026-03-22.
  24. Marshallsea, Trevor (10 November 2024). "Via Sistina Notches Sixth Group Win in Champions Stakes". www.bloodhorse.com. Retrieved 5 November 2025.
  25. "Flemington: Victoria Racing Club Saturday 09, November 2024". www.racingaustralia.horse. Retrieved 2026-03-22.
  26. "Royal Randwick: Australian Turf Club Saturday 15, February 2025". www.racingaustralia.horse. Retrieved 2026-03-22.
  27. "Royal Randwick: Australian Turf Club Saturday 01, March 2025". www.racingaustralia.horse. Retrieved 2026-03-22.
  28. "Full Result 3.50 Rosehill (AUS) | 22 March 2025 | Racing Post". www.racingpost.com.
  29. "Rosehill Gardens: Australian Turf Club Saturday 22, March 2025". www.racingaustralia.horse. Retrieved 2026-03-22.
  30. Symonds, Lydia; Trice, Kitty (13 April 2025). "Via Sistina Wins Eighth G1 in Queen Elizabeth". www.bloodhorse.com. Retrieved 5 November 2025.
  31. "Royal Randwick: Australian Turf Club Saturday 12, April 2025". www.racingaustralia.horse. Retrieved 2026-03-22.
  32. "Royal Randwick: Australian Turf Club Saturday 23, August 2025". www.racingaustralia.horse. Retrieved 2026-03-22.
  33. "Flemington: Victoria Racing Club Saturday 13, September 2025". www.racingaustralia.horse. Retrieved 2026-03-22.
  34. "Flemington: Victoria Racing Club Saturday 04, October 2025". www.racingaustralia.horse. Retrieved 2026-03-22.
  35. "The Valley: Moonee Valley Racing Club Saturday 25, October 2025". www.racingaustralia.horse. Retrieved 2026-03-22.
  36. "Champions Stakes results and replay – (Via Sistina) 2025". Just Horse Racing. 8 November 2025. Retrieved 16 November 2025.
  37. "Flemington: Victoria Racing Club Saturday 08, November 2025". www.racingaustralia.horse. Retrieved 2026-03-22.
  38. "Via Sistina Horse Profile". pedigreequery.com. Retrieved 2 November 2024.