Yulong’s powerhouse mare, Via Sistina (IRE), delivered another breathtaking performance on Saturday, dominating the $3 million TAB Champions Stakes at Flemington and cementing her place among the world’s elite racehorses. This win followed her historic Cox Plate victory at Moonee Valley last month, where she claimed one of the most spectacular triumphs in the race's history.

In the Champions Stakes, the six-year-old, trained by Chris Waller, showed the field no mercy, surging ahead to win by several lengths with complete ease. Her victory marked jockey James McDonald’s 11th win of the Melbourne Cup Carnival, an impressive feat underscoring their partnership’s dominance on the Australian racing scene.

After a dramatic lead-up to the Cox Plate, when Via Sistina’s pre-race workout took an unexpected turn—she lost her rider and galloped alone around the track—she had shown her grit and focus by not letting it rattle her. On race day, she arrived in prime form, shattering Moonee Valley’s track record with a time of 2:01.07, smashing the previous record held by Winx.

Reflecting on her Champions Stakes win, Waller was effusive: “It’s been an incredible week, and the support from the owners, my team, and Moonee Valley has been overwhelming. Only positivity surrounds this mare; she’s remarkable, and I couldn’t be prouder.” 

Via Sistina was sold for a paltry 5k guineas in 2019 only to be sold at the 2004 verion of that December sale at Tattersalls for 2.7m guineas.