Via Sistina has capped off a remarkable 2024-25 season being announced the Australian Champion Racehorse of the Year.
The Chris Waller-trained mare was honoured for her achievements through the season at a function at ‘The Star’ in Brisbane on Sunday.
Via Sistina captured an amazing seven Group 1 wins during the 2024-25 season, including the Cox Plate by an astonishing eight lengths in record time at Moonee Valley last spring and the Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Randwick in the autumn.
The Yulong-owned mare polled 202 votes from a possible 204 to clearly land Racehorse of the Year honours from Bella Nipotina (75) and dual Oaks winner Treasurethe Moment (43).
Along with her announcement as the Australian Racehorse of the Year, Via Sistina took out honours in the Champion Middle Distance Category, collecting 203 votes to comfortably defeat Mr Brightside (79) and Antino (58).
Golden Slipper heroine Marhoona took out Champion 2-Year-Old honours gathering 148 votes ahead of Cool Archie on 115 with Vinrock in third place with 59.
VRC Oaks and ATC Australian Oaks winning filly Treasurethe Moment collected 161 votes to edge out Lady Shenandoah (136) and Aeliana (73) for Champion 3-Year-Old filly while Broadsiding followed up his win as Champion 2-Year-Old by collecting Champion 3-Year-Old Colt/Gelding honours.
Winner of The Everest last spring, Bella Nipotina collected 200 votes to easily win the Champion Sprinter honour from Joliestar (67) and Jimmysstar (60) while Melbourne Cup champion Knight’s Choice (124) defeated Caulfield Cup winner Duke De Sessa (109) and Dubai Honour (91) to claim the Champion Stayer category.
Victorian voters award the Champion Jumper to Duke Of Bedford after he recorded dual wins during the Warrnambool Carnival, collecting 39 votes to edge out Stern Idol (32) and The Cunning Fox (21).
With an incredible 19 Group 1 wins for the season, Chris Waller won his 13th straight Bart Cummings Award for champion Group 1 trainer while James McDonald won the Champion Group 1 Jockey for the fifth straight year.
Rounding out the awards was Zoustar being named Champion Sire.
The Racehorse of the Year awards acknowledge performances on Australian racecourses, as well as international performances by Australian-trained horses for the period from 1 August 2024 to 31 July 2025. The Judging panel comprises of Racing Media, Handicappers and form analysts from around Australia.
Also acknowledged on Sunday was the elevation to Legend status of Black Caviar and Winx while Peter Moody, Zac Purton, John Tapp, Mahogany and Hydrogen were inducted into the Australian Racing Hall Of Fame.
