Waller Army Leads Cox Plate First Acceptances

Media Release - Tuesday September 9

Defending champion Via Sistina is among 21 horses champion trainer Chris Waller still has in contention for the $6 million 2025 Ladbrokes Cox Plate, following the closure of first acceptances on Tuesday.

With a total of 57 horses keeping the dream alive, Waller’s team also includes Aeliana, Autumn Glow, Buckarroo, Fangirl and Saturday’s impressive pair of winners Angel Capital and Lindermann.

Last year's Cox Plate winner Via Sistina (IRE) leads the charge for the Waller army - image Grant Courtney

Waller has won the W. S. Cox Plate on five occasions and currently sits alongside Bart Cummings as the third most successful trainer in the race’s 104 editions. T.J. Smith has won the race on seven occasions with Waller looking to join Jack Holt with six wins this year.

A memorable Ladbrokes Cox Plate clash between Yulong-owned mares Via Sistina and Treasurethe Moment remains on the cards after Matt Laurie declared with his recent G1 Memsie Stakes winner, who has now won her last nine races. Treasurethe Moment is now expected to have her first look at The Valley in the $500,000 G2 Ladbrokes Feehan Stakes on September 26 – a golden ticket race into the 2025 Ladbrokes Cox Plate.

Meanwhile Ciaron Maher declared with all seven of his nominated runners highlighted by G1 winners Another Wil, Gringotts, Light Infantry Man, Willydoit and Zardozi.

Bjorn Baker has four runners still in play for the Ladbrokes Cox Plate while Anthony and Sam Freedman and Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott still have three hopefuls each.

Mr Brightside and Royal Patronage who competed in the 2024 Ladbrokes Cox Plate behind Via Sistina were also amongst the first acceptors.

Advertisement

Eleven three-year-olds remain in the race with Bjorn Baker’s Within The Law the only filly alongside the likes of Vinrock, Nepotism, Autumn Boy and Wodeton.

New Zealand G1 winner Pier was a late nomination for the 2025 Ladbrokes Cox Plate on September 2.

Second acceptances for the 2025 Ladbrokes Cox Plate close at noon on Tuesday, 23rd September.

Click here to see the full list of 57 still in the race

MVRC Release

Advertisment
More Reading...
2025 G1 Epsom Handicap Field and Barrier Draw
The field and barrier draw has been decided for the Group I Epsom Handicap on Saturday with odds-on favourite and unbeaten mare Autumn Glow drawing the extreme outside gate in a field of 14.
Satono’s Stunning Stats Continue as Rich Hill Sires Shine
Rich Hill Stud’s Group 1 stallion roster was the dominant force at Te Rapa’s premier meeting with their progeny claiming a feature race double.
Sires With Winners - Monday September 29
Here is the full list of 22 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Youngsters Impress Leading into Magic Millions Horses in Training Sale
The build up to the 2025 Magic Millions Gold Coast Horses in Training Sale has intensified with a swag of impressive breeze up performances over the past week.
Golden Rose Brings Second Season Shake Up
We are two months into a new racing season and the second season sires table was given a good shake up over the weekend with the $1million Group I Golden Rose and $300,000 Group II Stutt Stakes both producing a quinella for sires in this cohort.
She's Unusual Keeps Good Times Rolling
Continued success with resident stallion Unusual Suspect and their racing team has kept Nigel and Adaire Auret busier than they may have envisaged, but without any complaints.
Equimillion This Long Weekend – Draws and Start Lists
Racing NSW have their annual Equimillion event coming up this long weekend at Sydney International Equestrian Centre at Horsley Park and for people interested in off the trackers it’s a showcase for the sport, so let’s take a look at who’s who in the zoo.
Sires With Winners - Tuesday September 30
Here is the full list of 27 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Resolute Racing Purchase Top Lot Goffs Orby Day 1
The Goffs Orby Yearling Sale kicked off overnight and the top lot on Day 1 was a colt by Blue Point purchased by John Stewart’s Resolute Bloodstock for €675,000, while Wootton Bassett produced the top selling filly, whose half-brother Trinity College is now in Australia.
2025 G1 The Metropolitan Field and Barrier Draw
Chris Waller and Ciaron Maher are set to have half of the Group I Metropolitan field between them with the Waller trained Birdman an easing favourite after drawing a wide gate for Saturday’s race.