Via Sistina delivered a stunning performance in the 2024 Ladbrokes Cox Plate
Via Sistina’s record-breaking, eight-length victory in the 2024 Ladbrokes Cox Plate secured the race its fourth top 10 ranking in the past decade in the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA) Longines Top 100 Group 1 races.
Her stunning performance shattered Winx’s 2040m track record by nearly two seconds, earning a 127 rating from the IFHA—the third highest in the world for 2024, behind City Of Troy and Laurel River.
The IFHA announced the 2024 Top 100 Group 1 races this week at the Longines World Racing Awards, where the Ladbrokes Cox Plate ranked equal 10th with a rating of 121.25. This rating was based on the performances of the top four finishers: Via Sistina, Prognosis, Broadsiding, and Mr Brightside.
Champion jockey James McDonald, the 2024 Ladbrokes Cox Plate Carnival ambassador, showcased his dominance by securing a third consecutive victory in the race. His exceptional talent was further recognised on the global stage, as he was honoured with the Longines World's Best Jockey Award by the IFHA for the second time.
Since the inception of the IFHA Group 1 rankings, the Ladbrokes Cox Plate has consistently been recognised among the world's best races. Its highest ranking (equal 2nd), and highest rating (124.75) came in 2016, when Winx secured her second Cox Plate victory, defeating Hartnell, Yankee Rose, and Vadamos.
The race achieved further top 10 rankings in 2018 (equal seventh) when Winx completed an unprecedented fourth-straight win, and again in 2019 (ninth), with Japanese galloper Lys Gracieux triumphing.
Via Sistina’s 2024 victory continues the trend, as the race’s top four ratings and rankings have all been achieved when won by a mare.
All four of The Valley’s Group 1 races secured a place in the Top 100 rankings for 2024.
The 3 Point Motors William Reid Stakes, where Imperatriz completed a clean sweep of The Valley’s Group 1 sprinting Triple Crown for the 2023/24 season, ranked equal 36th.
The Ladbrokes Manikato Stakes, won by Southport Tycoon under lights on AFL Grand Final Eve, ranked equal 71st, while the Charter Keck Cramer Moir Stakes, which saw trainer Gavin Bedggood achieve a fairytale first Group 1 victory with Mornington Glory, came in at equal 98th.