{{short description|Irish bred thoroughbred racehorse}} {{Infobox racehorse | horsename = Via Sistina |caption = | sire = Fastnet Rock | grandsire = Danehill | dam = Nigh | damsire = Galileo | sex = Mare | foaled = {{birth date|2018|03|27|df=y}} | death_date = | country = Ireland | colour = Bay | breeder = Laundry Cottage Stud Farm | owner = Yulong Investments | trainer = George Boughey (2021-2023)<br>Chris Waller (2024 onwards) | jockey = | record = 29: 16-4-5 | earnings = A$19,402,488<ref>{{cite web | url= https://www.racenet.com.au/profiles/horse/via-sistina-ire |title=Via Sistina Horse Profile Search |publisher=racenet.com.au |access-date=30 October 2024}}</ref> | race = Prix Fille de l'Air (2022)<br>Dahlia Stakes (2023)<br>Pretty Polly Stakes (2023)<br>Ranvet Stakes (2024, 2025)<br>Winx Stakes (2024, 2025)<br>Turnbull Stakes (2024)<br>W.S. Cox Plate (2024, 2025)<br>Champions Stakes (2024, 2025)<br>Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2025) | awards = Australian Champion Racehorse of the Year (2024/25)<br>Australian Champion Middle Distance Racehorse (2024/25)<br>Timeform rating: 132 |image= }}
'''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.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Dennis |first1=Steve |title=Thank you, Via Sistina: Australia’s mighty mare retired after 12 Group 1 wins {{!}} Topics: Chris Waller, Cox Plate, Yulong Investments, Via Sistina |url=https://www.thoroughbredracing.com/articles/6774/thank-you-sistina-australias-mighty-mare-retired-after-12-group-1-wins/ |website=Thoroughbred Racing Commentary |access-date=25 January 2026 |date=18 January 2026}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Racenet - Australia's Premier Horse Racing News, Form Guides & Tips |url=https://racenet.com.auundefined/ |access-date=2026-03-16 |website=racenet.com.au |language=en-AU}}</ref> Additionally, Via Sistina earned a Longines rating of 127, which placed her third in the 2024 World's Best Racehorse Rankings.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Berry |first=Emma |date=2025-01-21 |title=City Of Troy and Laurel River Share Longines World's Best Racehorse Title |url=https://www.thoroughbreddailynews.com/city-of-troy-and-laurel-river-share-longines-worlds-best-racehorse-title/ |access-date=2026-03-16 |website=TDN {{!}} Thoroughbred Daily News {{!}} Horse Racing News, Results and Video {{!}} Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions |language=en}}</ref>
== Background == Via Sistina was sired out of Fastnet Rock, a champion racehorse whose best wins include the Lightning Stakes and the Oakleigh Plate. Fastnet Rock was a successful stallion 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.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Danehill (horse) |url=https://www.americanclassicpedigrees.com/danehill.html |access-date=2026-03-22 |website=American Classic Pedigrees |language=en}}</ref>
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.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Via Sistina leaves an elite legacy |url=https://www.racing.com/news/2026/01/18/news-feature-via-sistina-feature-180126 |access-date=2026-03-16 |website=www.racing.com |language=en}}</ref> In 2024, Yulong Investments acquired Panthalassa, an international Group 1 race winner and one of the richest racehorses in the world.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Who Are The Highest Earning Racehorses Of All Time? |url=https://idolhorse.com/horse-racing-news/world/the-rich-50-who-are-the-highest-earning-racehorses-of-all-time/ |access-date=2026-03-16 |website=Idol Horse |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-04-17 |title=Panthalassa - Yulong Invest |url=https://yulonginvest.com.au/stallions-yulong-investments/panthalassa/ |access-date=2026-03-16 |website=yulonginvest.com.au |language=en-US}}</ref> In addition to running a successful thoroughbred enterprise, Yulong Investments also has a division focusing on premium Wagyu beef.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-09-04 |title=Wagyu - Yulong Invest |url=https://yulonginvest.com.au/wagyu/ |access-date=2026-03-16 |website=yulonginvest.com.au |language=en-US}}</ref> In 2022, Yulong Investments purchased a female Wagyu cow for A$400,000, a record high auction price.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rabone |first=Emily |date=2022-04-27 |title=All Breeds Australian Record Smashed at the 2022 Elite Wagyu Sale |url=https://www.wagyu.org.au/all-breeds-australian-record-smashed-at-the-2022-elite-wagyu-sale |access-date=2026-03-16 |website=Australian Wagyu Association |language=en-US}}</ref>
==Notable races==
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center; width:100%; font-size:87%" !Date !Race !Track !Field !Placing !Winner (2nd Place) !Winning (Losing) Margin !Jockey |-|- bgcolor="#eeeeee" | colspan="12" align="left" |''2022 – Four-year-old season'' |- |11 November 2022 || G3 - Prix Fille de l'Air <ref>{{Cite web |last=Equidia |date=2022-11-11 |title=PRIX FILLE DE L' AIR - TOULOUSE - 11/11/2022 : partants, pronostics et résultats en vidéos - Course 4 |url=https://www.equidia.fr/courses/2022-11-11/R1/C4 |access-date=2026-03-22 |website=www.equidia.fr |language=fr}}</ref>|| Toulouse |11 | bgcolor=gold|1st || (Winema) |{{Fraction|1|2}} length||Jamie Spencer |- bgcolor="#eeeeee" |- | colspan="9" align="left" |''2023 – Five-year-old season'' |- |7 May 2023 || G2 - Dahlia Stakes <ref>{{Cite web |title=Full Result {{!}} 15:00 Howden Dahlia Stakes (Fillies' And Mares' Group 2) {{!}} Newmarket {{!}} Sky Sports Horse Racing |url=https://www.skysports.com/racing/results/full-result/1146876/newmarket/07-05-2023/howden-dahlia-stakes-fillies-and-mares-group-2 |access-date=2026-03-22 |website=Sky Sports |language=en}}</ref>|| Newmarket |9 | bgcolor=gold|1st || (Al Husn) |6 lengths||Jamie Spencer |- |1 July 2023 || G1 - Pretty Polly Stakes<ref>{{cite web |last1=O'Hanion |first1=Justin |title=Via Sistina Rallies to Pretty Polly Score |url=https://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/269806/via-sistina-rallies-to-pretty-polly-score |website=www.bloodhorse.com |access-date=5 November 2025 |date=1 July 2023}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thoroughbreddailynews.com/fastnet-rocks-via-sistina-survives-inquiry-to-win-the-pretty-polly/|title=Fastnet Rock's Via Sistina Survives Inquiry To Win The Pretty Polly|first=Tom|last=Frary|date=July 1, 2023|website=TDN {{pipe}} Thoroughbred Daily News {{pipe}} Horse Racing News, Results and Video {{pipe}} Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions}}</ref>|| Curragh |9 | bgcolor=gold|1st || (Stay Alert) |2 lengths||Jamie Spencer |-|- bgcolor="#eeeeee" | colspan="9" align="left" |''2024 – Six-year-old season'' |- |23 March 2024 || G1 - Ranvet Stakes || Rosehill |6 | bgcolor=gold|1st || (Place Du Carrousel) |1.2 lengths<ref>{{Cite web |title=Rosehill Gardens: Australian Turf Club Saturday 23, March 2024 |url=https://www.racingaustralia.horse/InteractiveForm/Meeting.aspx?meetcode=OTc3MjkwMzA5MA==#Race5 |access-date=2026-03-22 |website=www.racingaustralia.horse}}</ref>||James McDonald |- |13 April 2024||G1 - Queen Eizabeth Stakes||Randwick |9 | bgcolor=silver|2nd ||Pride Of Jenni |(6.54 lengths)<ref>{{Cite web |title=Royal Randwick: Australian Turf Club Saturday 13, April 2024 |url=https://www.racingaustralia.horse/InteractiveForm/Meeting.aspx?meetcode=OTc3MzI4MDI5MA==#Race8 |access-date=2026-03-22 |website=www.racingaustralia.horse}}</ref>||James McDonald |- |24 August 2024 || G1 - Winx Stakes<ref name="auto">{{Cite web|url=https://racenet.com.auundefined/|title=Racenet - Australia's Premier Horse Racing News, Form Guides & Tips|website=racenet.com.au}}{{Dead link|date=October 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot }}</ref> || Randwick | 12 | bgcolor=gold|1st || (Zougotcha) |0.07 lengths<ref>{{Cite web |title=Royal Randwick: Australian Turf Club Saturday 24, August 2024 |url=https://www.racingaustralia.horse/InteractiveForm/Meeting.aspx?meetcode=OTc3NzkyMzYyMg==#Race8 |access-date=2026-03-22 |website=www.racingaustralia.horse}}</ref>||Kerrin McEvoy |- |5 October 2024 || G1 - Turnbull Stakes<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.racingpost.com/results/297/flemington/2024-10-05/878453|title=Full Result 7.25 Flemington (AUS) {{pipe}} 5 October 2024 {{pipe}} Racing Post|website=www.racingpost.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://7news.com.au/sport/horse-racing/via-sistina-rebounds-from-disappointment-to-win-turnbull-stakes-c-16296898|title=Via Sistina bounces back after Makybe Diva disappointment|date=October 6, 2024|website=7NEWS}}</ref> || Flemington | 16 | bgcolor=gold|1st ||(Buckaroo) | 0.2 lengths<ref>{{Cite web |title=Flemington: Victoria Racing Club Saturday 05, October 2024 |url=https://www.racingaustralia.horse/InteractiveForm/Meeting.aspx?meetcode=OTc4MDM5NDI4Mg==#Race8 |access-date=2026-03-22 |website=www.racingaustralia.horse}}</ref>||Damian Lane |- |26 October 2024 || G1 - Cox Plate<ref name="auto"/><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.foxsports.com.au/horse-racing/horse-racing-2024-cox-plate-2024-results-via-sistina-winner-video-time-latest-news/news-story/a32a8cb2c768c28875d08b2f1f29af8d|title='Stuff of legends': Via Sistina's Cox Plate domination breaks Winx record|date=October 26, 2024|website=Fox Sports}}</ref> || Moonee Valley | 9 | bgcolor=gold|1st || (Prognosis) | 8 lengths<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Valley: Moonee Valley Racing Club Saturday 26, October 2024 |url=https://www.racingaustralia.horse/InteractiveForm/Meeting.aspx?meetcode=OTc4MDMzNzcwMg==#Race9 |access-date=2026-03-22 |website=www.racingaustralia.horse}}</ref>|| James McDonald |- |9 November 2024 || G1 - Champions Stakes<ref>{{cite web |last1=Marshallsea |first1=Trevor |title=Via Sistina Notches Sixth Group Win in Champions Stakes |url=https://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/281022/via-sistina-notches-sixth-group-win-in-champions-stakes |website=www.bloodhorse.com |access-date=5 November 2025 |date=10 November 2024}}</ref> || Flemington | 11 | bgcolor=gold|1st || (Atishu) | 2.75 lengths<ref>{{Cite web |title=Flemington: Victoria Racing Club Saturday 09, November 2024 |url=https://www.racingaustralia.horse/InteractiveForm/Meeting.aspx?meetcode=OTc4MDI4MzAwOA==#Race8 |access-date=2026-03-22 |website=www.racingaustralia.horse}}</ref>|| James McDonald |-|- bgcolor="#eeeeee" | colspan="9" align="left" |''2025 – Seven-year-old season'' |- | 15 February 2025 ||G2 - Apollo Stakes||Randwick | 8 | bgcolor=d7995b|3rd ||Fangirl | (1.02 lengths)<ref>{{Cite web |title=Royal Randwick: Australian Turf Club Saturday 15, February 2025 |url=https://www.racingaustralia.horse/InteractiveForm/Meeting.aspx?meetcode=OTc4MzMyODg5OA==#Race8 |access-date=2026-03-22 |website=www.racingaustralia.horse}}</ref>||Kerrin McEvoy |- |1 March 2025||G1 - Verry Elleegant Stakes||Randwick | 8 | bgcolor=gold|1st || (Fangirl) | 0.36 lengths<ref>{{Cite web |title=Royal Randwick: Australian Turf Club Saturday 01, March 2025 |url=https://www.racingaustralia.horse/InteractiveForm/Meeting.aspx?meetcode=OTc4MzM0MDIxNA==#Race8 |access-date=2026-03-22 |website=www.racingaustralia.horse}}</ref>||James McDonald |- |22 March 2025 || G1 - Ranvet Stakes<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.racingpost.com/results/311/rosehill/2025-03-22/891059|title=Full Result 3.50 Rosehill (AUS) {{pipe}} 22 March 2025 {{pipe}} Racing Post|website=www.racingpost.com}}</ref>||Rosehill | 6 | bgcolor=gold|1st || (Lindermann) | 1.53 lengths<ref>{{Cite web |title=Rosehill Gardens: Australian Turf Club Saturday 22, March 2025 |url=https://www.racingaustralia.horse/InteractiveForm/Meeting.aspx?meetcode=OTc4MzM1MTUzMA==#Race5 |access-date=2026-03-22 |website=www.racingaustralia.horse}}</ref>||James McDonald |- |12 April 2025||G1 - Queen Eizabeth Stakes<ref name="auto"/><ref>{{cite web |last1=Symonds |first1=Lydia |last2=Trice |first2=Kitty |title=Via Sistina Wins Eighth G1 in Queen Elizabeth |url=https://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/283827/via-sistina-wins-eighth-g1-in-queen-elizabeth |website=www.bloodhorse.com |access-date=5 November 2025 |date=13 April 2025}}</ref>||Randwick | 13 | bgcolor=gold|1st || (Dubai Honour) | 1.75 lengths<ref>{{Cite web |title=Royal Randwick: Australian Turf Club Saturday 12, April 2025 |url=https://www.racingaustralia.horse/InteractiveForm/Meeting.aspx?meetcode=OTc4MzM2Mjg0Ng==#Race8 |access-date=2026-03-22 |website=www.racingaustralia.horse}}</ref>|| James McDonald |- |23 August 2025||G1 - Winx Stakes || Randwick | 11 | bgcolor=gold|1st ||(Aeliana) | 0.36 lengths<ref>{{Cite web |title=Royal Randwick: Australian Turf Club Saturday 23, August 2025 |url=https://www.racingaustralia.horse/InteractiveForm/Meeting.aspx?meetcode=OTc4NjM5NTUzNA==#Race8 |access-date=2026-03-22 |website=www.racingaustralia.horse}}</ref>|| James McDonald |- |13 September 2025|| G1 - Makybe Diva Stakes ||Flemington | 6 | bgcolor=d7995b|3rd ||Mr Brightside | (1.9 lengths)<ref>{{Cite web |title=Flemington: Victoria Racing Club Saturday 13, September 2025 |url=https://www.racingaustralia.horse/InteractiveForm/Meeting.aspx?meetcode=OTc5MDkzNzAyMg==#Race8 |access-date=2026-03-22 |website=www.racingaustralia.horse}}</ref>|| James McDonald |- |4 October 2025||G1 - Turnbull Stakes||Flemington | 14 | bgcolor=d7995b|3rd ||Sir Delius | (2.21 lengths)<ref>{{Cite web |title=Flemington: Victoria Racing Club Saturday 04, October 2025 |url=https://www.racingaustralia.horse/InteractiveForm/Meeting.aspx?meetcode=OTc5MDg5MTc1OA==#Race8 |access-date=2026-03-22 |website=www.racingaustralia.horse}}</ref>|| James McDonald |- |25 October 2025||G1 - Cox Plate||Moonee Valley | 8 | bgcolor=gold|1st || (Buckaroo) | 0.1 lengths<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Valley: Moonee Valley Racing Club Saturday 25, October 2025 |url=https://www.racingaustralia.horse/InteractiveForm/Meeting.aspx?meetcode=OTc5MDg0MDgzNg==#Race10 |access-date=2026-03-22 |website=www.racingaustralia.horse}}</ref>|| James McDonald |- |8 November 2025 || G1 - Champions Stakes<ref>{{cite web |title=Champions Stakes results and replay – (Via Sistina) 2025 |url=https://www.justhorseracing.com.au/fields-results/results/champions-stakes-results-and-replay-via-sistina-2025/870596 |website=Just Horse Racing |access-date=16 November 2025 |date=8 November 2025}}</ref> || Flemington | 11 | bgcolor=gold|1st || (Zambardo) | 2.75 lengths<ref>{{Cite web |title=Flemington: Victoria Racing Club Saturday 08, November 2025 |url=https://www.racingaustralia.horse/InteractiveForm/Meeting.aspx?meetcode=OTc5MDc5MzY4Ng==#Race8 |access-date=2026-03-22 |website=www.racingaustralia.horse}}</ref>|| James McDonald |}
==Pedigree==
{{ Pedigree | name = Via Sistina (IRE) 2018<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.pedigreequery.com/via+sistina3 |title=Via Sistina Horse Profile |publisher=pedigreequery.com |access-date=2 November 2024}}</ref> | f = Fastnet Rock (AUS)<br>2001 | m = Nigh (IRE)<br>2010 | ff = Danehill (USA)<br>1986 | fm = Piccadilly Circus (AUS)<br>1995 | mf = Galileo (IRE)<br>1998 | mm = Native Force (IRE)<br>1998 | fff = Danzig | ffm = Razyana | fmf = Royal Academy | fmm = Gatana | mff = Sadlers Wells | mfm = Urban Sea | mmf = Indian Ridge | mmm = La Pellegrina | ffff = Northern Dancer | fffm = Pas De Nom | ffmf = His Majesty | ffmm = Spring Adieu | fmff = Nijinsky | fmfm = Crimson Saint | fmmf = Marauding | fmmm = Twigalae | mfff = Northern Dancer | mffm = Fairy Bridge | mfmf = Miswaki | mfmm = Allegretta | mmff = Ahonoora | mmfm = Hillbrow | mmmf = Be My Guest | mmmm = Spanish Habit |}}
==References== {{reflist}}
Category:Racehorses bred in Ireland Category:Racehorses trained in Australia Category:2018 racehorse births Category:Cox Plate winners Category:Racehorses trained in the United Kingdom Category:Thoroughbred family 1-t