Via Sistina
| Via Sistina | |
|---|---|
| Sire | Fastnet Rock |
| Grandsire | Danehill |
| Dam | Nigh |
| Damsire | Galileo |
| Sex | Mare |
| Foaled | 27 March 2018 |
| Country | Ireland |
| Colour | Bay |
| Breeder | Laundry Cottage Stud Farm |
| Owner | Yulong Investments |
| Trainer | George Boughey (2021-2023) Chris Waller (2024 onwards) |
| Record | 29: 16-4-5 |
| Earnings | A$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. As a stallion, Fastnet Rock was extremely successful, 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.
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.[5] In 2024, Yulong Investments acquired Panthalassa, an international Group 1 race winner and one of the richest racehorses in the world.[6][7] In addition to running a successful thoroughbred enterprise, Yulong Investments also has a division focusing on premium Wagyu beef.[8] In 2022, Yulong Investments purchased a female Wagyu cow for A$400,000, a record high auction price.[9]
Notable races
| Placing | Date | Race | Track | Jockey | 1st | 2nd | 3rd |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 11 November 2022 | G3 - Prix Fille de l'Air | Toulouse | Jamie Spencer | Via Sistina | Winema | Pennine Hills |
| 1st | 7 May 2023 | G2 - Dahlia Stakes | Newmarket | Jamie Spencer | Via Sistina | Al Husn | Astral Beau |
| 1st | 1 July 2023 | G1 - Pretty Polly Stakes[10][11] | Curragh | Jamie Spencer | Via Sistina | Stay Alert | Above The Curve |
| 1st | 23 March 2024 | G1 - Ranvet Stakes | Rosehill | James McDonald | Via Sistina | Place Du Carrousel | Buckaroo |
| 2nd | 13 April 2024 | G1 - Queen Eizabeth Stakes | Randwick | James McDonald | Pride Of Jenni | Via Sistina | Mr Brightside |
| 1st | 24 August 2024 | G1 - Winx Stakes[12] | Randwick | Kerrin McEvoy | Via Sistina | Zougotcha | Fangirl |
| 1st | 5 October 2024 | G1 - Turnbull Stakes[13][14] | Flemington | Damian Lane | Via Sistina | Buckaroo | Eliyass |
| 1st | 26 October 2024 | G1 - Cox Plate[12][15] | Moonee Valley | James McDonald | Via Sistina | Prognosis | Broadsiding |
| 1st | 9 November 2024 | G1 - Champions Stakes[16] | Flemington | James McDonald | Via Sistina | Atishu | Without A Fight |
| 3rd | 15 February 2025 | G2 - Apollo Stakes | Randwick | Kerrin McEvoy | Fangirl | Linderman | Via Sistina |
| 1st | 1 March 2025 | G1 - Verry Elleegant Stakes | Randwick | James McDonald | Via Sistina | Fangirl | Lindermann |
| 1st | 22 March 2025 | G1 - Ranvet Stakes[17] | Rosehill | James McDonald | Via Sistina | Lindermann | Fawkner Park |
| 1st | 12 April 2025 | G1 - Queen Eizabeth Stakes[12][18] | Randwick | James McDonald | Via Sistina | Dubai Honour | Tom Kitten |
| 1st | 23 August 2025 | G1 - Winx Stakes | Randwick | James McDonald | Via Sistina | Aeliana | Arapaho |
| 3rd | 13 September 2025 | G1 - Makybe Diva Stakes | Flemington | James McDonald | Mr Brightside | Aeliana | Via Sistina |
| 3rd | 4 October 2025 | G1 - Turnbull Stakes | Flemington | James McDonald | Sir Delius | Antino | Via Sistina |
| 1st | 25 October 2025 | G1 - Cox Plate | Moonee Valley | James McDonald | Via Sistina | Buckaroo | Treasurethe Moment |
| 1st | 8 November 2025 | G1 - Champions Stakes[19] | Flemington | James McDonald | Via Sistina | Zambardo | Tom Kitten |
Pedigree
| 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
- ^ "Via Sistina Horse Profile Search". racenet.com.au. Retrieved 30 October 2024.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "Racenet - Australia's Premier Horse Racing News, Form Guides & Tips". racenet.com.au. Retrieved 2026-03-16.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "Via Sistina leaves an elite legacy". www.racing.com. Retrieved 2026-03-16.
- ^ "Who Are The Highest Earning Racehorses Of All Time?". Idol Horse. Retrieved 2026-03-16.
- ^ "Panthalassa - Yulong Invest". yulonginvest.com.au. 2024-04-17. Retrieved 2026-03-16.
- ^ "Wagyu - Yulong Invest". yulonginvest.com.au. 2025-09-04. Retrieved 2026-03-16.
- ^ Rabone, Emily (2022-04-27). "All Breeds Australian Record Smashed at the 2022 Elite Wagyu Sale". Australian Wagyu Association. Retrieved 2026-03-16.
- ^ O'Hanion, Justin (1 July 2023). "Via Sistina Rallies to Pretty Polly Score". www.bloodhorse.com. Retrieved 5 November 2025.
- ^ 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.
- ^ a b c "Racenet - Australia's Premier Horse Racing News, Form Guides & Tips". racenet.com.au.
- ^ "Full Result 7.25 Flemington (AUS) | 5 October 2024 | Racing Post". www.racingpost.com.
- ^ "Via Sistina bounces back after Makybe Diva disappointment". 7NEWS. October 6, 2024.
- ^ "'Stuff of legends': Via Sistina's Cox Plate domination breaks Winx record". Fox Sports. October 26, 2024.
- ^ Marshallsea, Trevor (10 November 2024). "Via Sistina Notches Sixth Group Win in Champions Stakes". www.bloodhorse.com. Retrieved 5 November 2025.
- ^ "Full Result 3.50 Rosehill (AUS) | 22 March 2025 | Racing Post". www.racingpost.com.
- ^ Symonds, Lydia; Trice, Kitty (13 April 2025). "Via Sistina Wins Eighth G1 in Queen Elizabeth". www.bloodhorse.com. Retrieved 5 November 2025.
- ^ "Champions Stakes results and replay – (Via Sistina) 2025". Just Horse Racing. 8 November 2025. Retrieved 16 November 2025.
- ^ "Via Sistina Horse Profile". pedigreequery.com. Retrieved 2 November 2024.