Via Sistina Joins Two Group One Legends

Breednet - Sunday August 24

Via Sistina is certainly in rare air and if you want another stat to put her in perspective – yesterday’s Winx Stakes win saw her become one of only three horses in the last 40 years to win eight Group One races in a 12-month period.

Via Sistina. Photo: bradleyphotos.com.au

The other two, also mares were Winx herself and Black Caviar.

Advertisement

Since winning last year’s Group I Winx Stakes (August 23, 2024), Via Sistina has taken the Turnbull Stakes, Cox Plate, Champions Stakes, Very Elleegant Stakes, Ranvet Stakes and Queen Elizabeth Stakes

8 – Black Caviar
8 – Via Sistina
8 – Winx
7 – Anamoe
7 – Bonecrusher
7 – Lohnro
7 – Melody Belle
7 – Octagonal
7 – Weekend Hussler

Of course stats are stats so it might be worth pointing out, given the tally is based on a rolling 12-month period prior to each Group I win, Winx actually won eight Group One’s in a 12-month period seven times.

She also won her own race, the Group I Winx Stakes after it was upgraded to Group One but also won it twice when it was the Group II Warwick Stakes.

Nevertheless, Via Sistina has the stats and she won’t find better company. Take it as you choose. What she’s achieved takes some doing!

Advertisment
More Reading...
Godolphin’s Green Spaces Dominates In G3 Spring Stakes
Having just his third start since transferring into the Bjorn Baker stable, Street Boss colt Green Spaces continued the outstanding stakes winning run of Godolphin bred and raced runners, winning the $250,000 Group 3 NJC Spring Stakes (1600m) at Newcastle by three lengths.
Via Sistina is the Ultimate Champion
Fastnet Rock’s champion daughter Via Sistina (IRE) is the best racehorse in the country and she showed us exactly why at Flemington Saturday when overcoming a heavy track and testing conditions to win the $3million Group I VRC Champions Stakes (200m) for the second year in a row.
Karaka Graduate Romanoff Wins G1 NZ 2000 Guineas
The only thing certain as horses slogged their way to the winning post in Saturday’s Gr.1 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m) was that Matamata trainer Pam Gerard would produce the quinella in the Riccarton classic.
$10,000 Bargain Buy Turns G2 Sandown Guineas into a Procession
A $10,000 Inglis Digital bargain buy that started her racing career with wins at Rockhampton and Townsville, three year-old filly Sheza Alibi came to the attention of racegoers at Flemington on Derby Day and put the seal on her meteoric rise with a scintillating win in the $400,000 Group II Sandown Guineas at Caulfield don Saturday.
Invincible Filly Wins $1million G3 Thoroughbred Club Stakes
I Am Invincible was expected to have the winner in the $1million Group III MRC Thoroughbred Club Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield on Saturday with race favourite My Gladiola coming out of a second placing in the Group I VRC Coolmore Stud Stakes, but it was another daughter of the champion sire that got the cash.
Sires With Winners - Saturday November 15
Here is the full list of 110 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Winning Return for the Best in Australia - Via Sistina
Set to be crowned Australia’s Horse of the Year for last season, the mighty Fastnet Rock mare Via Sistina (IRE) returned on a rain soaked track at Randwick on Saturday to win the $1million Group I ATC Winx Stakes (1400m).
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.
New SW Satono Aladdin - Bozo Wins G3 New Zealand Cup
Respected Wanganui trainer Kevin Myers captured his fourth Gr.3 Martin Collins New Zealand Cup (3200m) at Riccarton on Saturday courtesy of a supreme staying performance by Bozo.
Proved secures first black-type success
A bargain buy from Windsor Park Stud’s Rugby, Racing and Beer yearling sale has now won six of her seven starts including a first black-type success in Saturday’s A$200,000 Gr.3 How Now Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield.