Home

News

2026 01 22

Global Footer

Moonee Valley Racing Club respectfully acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of this land – the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung people of the Kulin Nation – and pays our respects to its Elders past, present, and emerging.

Racing

Race-Day Info

Event Calendar

Group 1 Races

Tickets & Dining

Membership

Become A Member

Club 100 Membership

Browse Dining Options

Cox Plate Hub

2026 Ladbrokes Cox Plate 

Dining & Hospitality

Browse All Packages

Ladbrokes Cox Plate Hub

About

The Club

MVRC Club Rules

Venues

TOTE BAR & DINING

Redevelopment

The Valley Of Tomorrow

BOOK TICKETS

Tickets and Dining at The Valley

Dual Ladbrokes Cox Plate champion Via Sistina has run her final race with trainer Chris Waller and connections Yulong announcing her retirement.

Farewell to a Valley Legend - Via Sistina

Dual Ladbrokes Cox Plate champion Via Sistina has run her final race with trainer Chris Waller and connections Yulong announcing her retirement.The oldest mare at eight years of age Southern Hemisphere time to ever win the W.S. Cox Plate, Via Sistina will be remembered as a Valley Champion – one of only fourteen horses who have won the Cox Plate on multiple occasions and the 2040 metre track record around the former circuit.In total she claimed 12 Group 1 races and $19.4 million in prizemoney headlined by a staggering eight-length Ladbrokes Cox Plate win in 2024 and a memorable clash with Buckaroo in 2025, making the final race on The Valley as we knew it one for the ages!“We feel that following her second Cox Plate win and her impressive victory in the Champions Stakes, she hasn’t come back this preparation as her normal, highly energetic self,” Chris Waller said in a statement.“I would like to thank Via Sistina for the journey she has taken us all on, from her first-up wins over short distances, to her back-to-back Cox Plate victories which is something we will always remember.“She is tough, determined and a beautiful mare to work with.”In the coming weeks Via Sistina will return to the UK for a mating with champion sire Dubawi and start her life as a broodmare.It is a privilege to have her part of the honour roll of our great race.Thanks for the memories, Via!Multiple W.S. Cox Plate winners: Via Sistina (2024/2025), Winx (2015/2016/2017/2018), So You Think (2009/2010), Fields of Omagh (2003/2006), Northerly (2001/2002), Sunline (1999/2000), Tobin Bronze (1966/1967), Kingston Town (1980/1981/1982), Hydrogen (1952/1953), Flight (1945/1946), Tranquil Star (1942/1944), Beau Vite (1940/1941), Young Idea (1936/1937) and Phar Lap (1930/1931).

The Valley will once again play host to a leg of the National Pony Racing Series, with the Victorian event set to take place on 3 Point Motors William Reid Stakes Day, Saturday 22 March.A collaboration between Pony Club Australia and Thoroughbred Industry Careers (TIC), the series is designed to educate young riders on careers in the racing and breeding industry, giving them a taste of professional competition on major racedays.The series features six race meetings across Australia, culminating in the national finals in June. Before the Victorian leg, Ballarat hosted a Jumpstart weekend, where participants received riding instruction, horse health education, career insights, and rider fitness training.&nbsp;In preparation for their big moment on 3 Point Motors William Reid Stakes Day, competitors will also take part in a training day at The Valley to familiarise themselves with the track.On Saturday, two pony races will be held for state finalists aged 9 to 15. The first, over 450m at 11:30 am, is for ponies not exceeding 12.2hh, while the second, over 700m, is for ponies not exceeding 14hh. That event will take place following Race 3 on the card at 1:30 pm.&nbsp;Moonee Valley Racing Club has enjoyed its association with TIC and Pony Club Australia, providing young riders with the opportunity to gain experience on a major racing stage. The Valley hosted a leg of the first National Pony Racing Series in 2023, and last year on 3 Point Motors William Reid Stakes Day held a Shetland Pony Race.With the next generation of riders set to take centre stage once again, The Valley looks forward to another thrilling chapter in this growing series.

<h2 style="text-align:center;">You may also like</h2><ul><li><h4><a href="https://www.thevalley.com.au/news/2025-02-02/news-contenders-shocks-nz-g1-target">Shock's NZ Group 1 target</a></h4>2 February, 2025</li><li><h4><a href="https://www.thevalley.com.au/news/2024-10-23/news-preview-bedggood-pair-please-at-valley">Bedggood pair please at Valley</a></h4>23 October, 2024</li><li><h4><a href="https://www.thevalley.com.au/news/2024-10-22/news-preview-no-valley-concerns-for-broadsiding">No Valley concerns for Broadsiding</a></h4>22 October, 2024</li></ul>