It was a masterpiece, a Cox Plate worthy of the historic day.
The joint was sold out and rocking. Food vans had run out of their fried offerings, lines to bars were long and the mood was electrifying.
The pre-race formalities reminded us why we love The Valley. The club did a terrific job paying tributes to champions that had conquered the historic track.
The likes of Phar Lap, Tobin Bronze, Sunline, Northerly, Fields of Omagh, So You Think and, of course, Winx.
A modern day champion – Via Sistina – now has two Cox Plates to her name, putting her alongside some of the great champions to win the race.
Another legend of the Valley Daryl Braithwaite sang the Cox Plate’s unofficial anthem, Horses. The noise of the crowd bounced off the aging stadium.
Next door stood the new apartment complexes already built literally next to the track – it’s a sign of what Moonee Valley will one day look like. Some took to the roof of the new building for what no doubt was a great view.
The Valley was pumping, but the facilities were showing their age. Not than anyone cared.
As the horses entered they track for one last race, it was clear who the punters wanted. The loudest roar was for Via Sistina and her champion jockey James McDonald.
There was almost an eery silence after they traveled past the winning post for the first time. Almost like the packed out, young crowd took a collective breath knowing the best two minutes of sport was playing out.
Ethan Brown’s early positive move saw Light Infantry Man lead the field. If there was any worry about a lack of pace, Brown clearly hadn’t read the script.
McDonald’s manager, Mark Guest, sitting in the members’, made note that his star jockey had made his move early. He later remarked he might not have won without the impeccable timing. McDonald is the world’s best jockey after all.
The finish was one worthy of an historic day. Damian Lane took Treasurethe Moment to the front – could the super mare, after a bout of colic – prove doubters wrong? For a moment she threatened.
But, of course, McDonald and his super mare loomed. As did Mark Zahra on Buckeroo. Zahra said to Craig Williams as he returned to the jockey room that he never hit the front. It is a game of inches after all.
Cox Plate | Via Sistina
The Valley roars one final time! 🥹🗣️ Via Sistina closes the curtain on an era with a scintillating Cox Plate triumph to win in consecutive years ⭐️
📺 Ch. 78/68, Foxtel 529, Kayo or via our app
REPLAYS: https://t.co/ZIa4a02wC0 pic.twitter.com/ZynsDwtIyk— Racing.com (@Racing) October 25, 2025
McDonald was naturally emotional after the race.
“You know what? I’m just rapt that it was a proper run Cox Plate. That’s what Cox Plates are all about. Best horse shone through and she deserves all she gets,” he said.
“It’s going to be sad next year (not at Moonee Valley) but in saying that the Cox Plate is still on and it is going to be run and won. I just hope I’m on as good a mare as I was today to ride in the race next year.”
“Just so many sentimental things. Last Valley under this circumference, four-in-a-row, three champion racehorses. God I’m blessed. I’m so lucky.”
It was time to celebrate – but not before some light-hearted moments. With the world’s media watching, McDonald and Waller worked tirelessly to open the magnum of Piper Heidsieck. They finished up breaking the cork, which they both saw the humour in.
The biggest drama facing the Cox Plate winners? A broken cork pic.twitter.com/HWivh6Yodn
— Paul Tatnell (@PaulTatnell) October 25, 2025
Surrounded by his family, friends and the world’s media McDonald will now be a trivia question – who was the last jockey to win a Cox Plate on the old, historic track?
