Cox Plate Record Breaker Via Sistina Worth Every Penny and More

Tara Madgwick - Saturday October 26

Yulong have plundered elite horses sales all over the world in recent years and one of their big ticket items was Group I winning mare Via Sistina (IRE) and the daughter of Fastnet Rock raced into the record books at Moonee Valley on Saturday when scoring a mind blowing victory in the $5million Group I MVRC Cox Plate (2040m).

Via Sistina is airborne at The Valley - image Grant Courtney

At the track where legends are made, the Chris Waller trained Via Sistina started the week with a near disaster when a bandage unravelled at Breakfast with the Best and she lost her rider James McDonald in her last serious pre-race hit out. Via Sistina proceeded to gallop another couple of laps of the track alone, but what may have unsettled a lesser horse has had zero effect on this colossus of a mare.

She fronted up on race day in perfect order and dished out a virtuoso performance.

Advertisement

Via Sistina trotted up by eight lengths smashing the track record when clocking 2.01.07 and eclipsing the previous best of 2.02.94 set in 2017 by the mighty Winx.

Japanese raider Prognosis was second with the three year-old colt Broadsiding in third and Pride of Jenni wilted under the pressure to finish eighth.

"It was a big week, but I've just had full support from the owners, my staff, all the team, Moonee Valley," Waller said.

"It's just been overwhelming. 

"There's not been any negativity, only positive vibes. I'm so proud of her, so proud of her." 

Via Sistina strolls home alone - image Grant Courtney

Waller and his staff worked quickly and efficiently to assess and rectify what occurred in the lead up to the race.

"There were probably 10 key factors, and it's not anything else except common sense, simple as that," Waller said. 

"We never lost faith and just followed our instincts." 

Via Sistina's victory was third Cox Plate in succession for Jame McDonald, who scored on Anamoe in 2022 and Romantic Warrior last year, while it also brought up his 100th Group 1 win. 

"These last few weeks have been pretty tough, and (wife) Katelyn's been unreal in her support, and she's saying it will happen," McDonald said. 

"And Mum has been there helping with the kids and that takes so much work and effort, I' m so lucky, and I've got a beautiful family, and I honestly can't believe I've won this race again. 

"I love this race. I love this place and to win a Cox Plate with Chris Waller, who is my greatest supporter is so special. 

"It's so fitting he's brought up my 100th and to do it in such a prestigious race like the Cox Plate. 

"I'm blessed, so blessed." 

Via Sistina is a lagend - image Grant Courtney

Now favourite for the Melbourne Cup in which she will carry 56kg, Via Sistina is a fascinating horse as she is the original ugly duckling that grew into a swan.

Her original owners Stephen and Becky Hillen purchased her as a yearling for 5,000 guineas at the Tattersalls December Sale and they were over the moon when she sold at the Tattersalls December Mares Sale last year fetching 2.7million guineas to the bid of Yulong be the second highest priced mare at the sale.

Via Sistina has the overall record of nine wins and six placings from 19 starts and is the best of four winners from Nigh, an unraced half-sister by Galileo to dual Group I winning sprinter Kingsgate Native.

Her sire Fastnet Rock is now enjoying a well earned retirement at Coolmore Australia and his place on the roster has been taken by his promising young son Acrobat.

The Fastnet Rock x Galileo nick that has produced both Via Sistina and Buckaroo has produced 29 SW’s – 11 G1 winners - from 158 starters so has over 18% SW to runner.

Advertisment

Race Result - Ladbrokes Cox Plate Gr1 2040m

Moonee Valley Track: Good(3) Time: 2:01.07
1
Via Sistina
- 7m Fastnet Rock (AUS) x Nigh (IRE) (Galileo (IRE))
Tnr: C J Waller Rdr: J B Mc Donald 57
Fastnet Rock
2
8
Prognosis
- 7h Deep Impact (JPN) x Velda (GB) (Observatory (USA))
Tnr: M Nakauchida Rdr: Damian Lane 59
3
10
Broadsiding
- 3c Too Darn Hot (GB) x Speedway (AUS) (Street Cry (IRE))
Tnr: James Cummings Rdr: Jamie Kah 49.5
4
10.3
Mr Brightside
- 7g Bullbars (AUS) x Lilahjay (NZ) (Tavistock (NZ))
Tnr: Ben, Will & Jd Hayes Rdr: Craig Williams 59
5
11.1
Docklands
- 5h Massaat (IRE) x Icky Woo (GB) (Mark Of Esteem (IRE))
Tnr: H Eustace Rdr: B Shinn 59
6
11.8
Kovalica
- 5g Ocean Park (NZ) x Vitesse (NZ) (Makfi (GB))
Tnr: C J Waller Rdr: M Zahra 59
7
12.6
Royal Patronage
- 6h Wootton Bassett (GB) x Shaloushka (IRE) (Dalakhani (IRE))
Tnr: G Waterhouse & A Bott Rdr: M J Dee 59
8
15.8
Pride Of Jenni
- 7m Pride Of Dubai (AUS) x Sancerre (NZ) (O'reilly (NZ))
Tnr: C Maher Rdr: Declan Bates 57
9
17.6
Evaporate
- 3g Per Incanto (USA) x Savanna (NZ) (Animal Kingdom (USA))
Tnr: Ben, Will & Jd Hayes Rdr: K Teetan 49.5
More Reading...
Deep Field's Depth Of Character Takes The Queensland Guineas
Deep Field three-year-old Depth Of Character has opened the path to a potential Group I Stradbroke Handicap tilt after winning the Queensland Guineas (1600m) at Eagle Farm on Saturday.
Femminile gives Dundeel first female G1 winner with Derby victory
Supersire Dundeel has his second G1 South Australian Derby winner and his first female G1 winner after his courageous daughter Femminile was too good for the boys at Morphettville this afternoon in the time honoured 2500m Classic.
Kentucky Derby Triumph for Godolphin
Sheikh Mohammed’s revered Godolphin racing and breeding operation have won Derbies all over the world, but until today the Kentucky Derby had proven elusive, but a three year-old colt called Sovereignty changed all that at Churchill Downs before a crowd in excess of 150,000.
Sires With Winners - Saturday May 3
Here is the full list of 113 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
So You Think He’s Tough- Punch Lane Wins G3 Hawkesbury Gold Cup
Backing up for a third Saturday in a row, super fit So You Think gelding Punch Lane booked his place in the $3million Big Dance later this year when leading all the way to win the $250,000 Group III Hawkesbury Gold Cup (1600m) on Saturday.
Via Sistina Dazzles in Record Breaking G1 Queen Elizabeth
Everything about Via Sistina (IRE) is impressive – from her unique physique to her giant stride to her unshakeable serenity – and the daughter of Fastnet Rock produced another virtuoso performance at Randwick on Saturday to win the $5million Group I ATC Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m) in race record time and very nearly course record time.
Via Sistina Wins Her Second G1 Ranvet Stakes
Australian racing fans got their first look at Via Sistina (IRE) when she won the $1million Group I ATC Ranvet Stakes (2000m) last year  and the champion daughter of Fastnet Rock has taken all before her ever since.
$1.1million Fastnet Filly a New SW for Sheamus Mills Bloodstock
Tara Talks Racing podcast listeners would have taken notice of the Listed SAJC Adelaide Guineas (1600m) at Morphettville on Saturday featuring $1.1million Fastnet Rock filly On Display.
Via Sistina Dominant in G1 Champions Stakes
Fresh from a virtuoso performance to win the Group I MVRC Cox Plate in track record time, Yulong owned Fastnet Rock mare Via Sistina (IRE) turned on the afterburners again at Flemington on Saturday to win the Group I VRC Champions Stakes (2000m) by nearly three lengths.
2.3million Justify Colt Wins G1 Newmarket 2000 Guineas for Godolphin
The weekend started well for Godolphin when their unbeaten filly Good Cheer won the Group I Kentucky Oaks on Friday and it got even better on Saturday when record priced  €2.3million Justify colt Ruling Court landed the Group I Newmarket 2000 Guineas in the UK.