The Queen Returns: Via Sistina Wins Thrilling Winx Stakes

The reigning queen of the Australian turf, Via Sistina, has made a triumphant return, securing her 10th Group 1 victory in a stunning first-up performance in the 2025 Winx Stakes. The soon-to-be-crowned Australian Racehorse of the Year showed all her class on a Heavy (10) track at Royal Randwick to defend her title in a thrilling finish.

2025 Winx Stakes winner Via Sistina celebrated her 10th career Group 1 success. Photo: Bradley Photos.

Despite easing out to $2.80 due to the heavy conditions, Via Sistina proved too strong for a quality field, holding off her brave stablemate Aeliana, with Sydney Cup winner Arapaho a fantastic third. The win marks the first time a horse has gone back-to-back in the race since the legendary Winx, a fitting achievement given the race’s name.

Trainer Chris Waller admitted to having some pre-race doubts. “I did. Just for their safety. But full credit to the team,” Waller said. “My doubt was where are we after today for two weeks’ time/four weeks’ time. I just want the curators Michael Wood, who does a fantastic job, Nevesh Ramdhani, they have an awesome team under them. We went and walked the track before, and it is safe. They have a great track.”

Via Sistina’s victory also etched her name into the history books, as she became the first eight-year-old mare in 80 years to win a Group 1 race. This remarkable feat, combined with her recent Cox Plate and Queen Elizabeth Stakes victories, highlights her versatility and enduring class.

Settling second-to-last in the run, jockey James McDonald hugged the rail, while her stablemate Aeliana, a five-length Australian Derby winner, also saved ground on the inside. As the field straightened, a perfect gap opened up for Via Sistina, and the star mare showed her electrifying turn of foot to hit the front. The race was far from over, however, with Aeliana rallying hard on her inside, pushing the champion all the way to the post.

“Gee the second horse was great,” McDonald said of Aeliana. “I could see the shadow, and I couldn’t think what it would be. I was thinking I have quickened up beautifully and she gave me a hell of a fright. If I went another furlong I would win by a neck anyway. A great effort by a young mare like that. A pleasant race to ride.”

Via Sistina held on for a 0.36-length win, with the eye-catching run of Arapaho, who relished the muddy conditions to finish third, adding value to the trifecta. In a luckless first-up performance, the well-backed Ceolwulf finished fourth, after missing the start and being forced wide.

With the win, Via Sistina is now the top elect for a host of upcoming Group 1 spring features, including a potential next-up assignment in the Makybe Diva Stakes at Flemington. Her main goal, however, will be a historic back-to-back victory in the Ladbrokes Cox Plate, where her all-in price has firmed from $2.80 to $2.10 through Ladbrokes.

2025 Winx Stakes Results

Table Credit: Racing Australia.

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