Via Sistina, Yulong's multiple group 1-winning champion, has been retired and will return to the United Kingdom to be covered by Darley's leading stallion Dubawi.
The mare's trainer, Chris Waller, confirmed the news Jan. 18, bringing an end to an illustrious career that yielded 16 victories, highlighted by 12 group 1 wins and more than AU$19.4 million in prize money.
Via Sistina - Thank You! pic.twitter.com/mssPj2I6f2
— Chris Waller Racing (@cwallerracing) January 18, 2026
"Via Sistina has performed consistently well across many seasons and has become a talking point around the world, not only within racing, but sport in general," Waller said in an extensive statement released on social media.
"We feel that following her second Cox Plate win and her impressive victory in the Champion Stakes, she hasn't come back this preparation as her normal, highly energetic self."
Bred by Laundry Cottage Stud, Via Sistina was originally purchased for a modest 5,000 guineas from Book 3 of the Tattersalls December Yearling Sale in 2019. She went on to win five races in the U.K. for Joseph Tuite and George Boughey, including the 2023 edition of the Pretty Polly Stakes (G1) for the latter trainer. Later that year, she was sold to Yulong for 2,700,000 guineas at the Tattersalls December Mare Sale.
The daughter of Fastnet Rock exploded onto the Australian scene with an impressive victory in the Ranvet Stakes (G1) and went on to dominate the country's middle-distance ranks, winning a further ten group 1 races, including back-to-back Cox Plates (G1) at Moonee Valley.
Waller continued: "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."
"We look forward to seeing what the future holds for Via Sistina in the breeding barn and beyond."
Yulong described Via Sistina as "a horse of a lifetime" and confirmed she would embark on her second career as a broodmare.
"The closing of one chapter leads to the opening of another, and while there is a tinge of sadness that we will not see her on the racetrack again, we are excited to follow Via Sistina's journey as she embarks on motherhood," the statement read.
"To say she has been a horse of a lifetime for Mr. Zhang, his family, and the entire Yulong team would sell the daughter of Fastnet Rock short. From the moment she stepped onto Australian turf for the first time in the 2024 Ranvet Stakes at Rosehill, Via Sistina has been nothing short of phenomenal, carrying the green and white silks to 11 standout group 1 victories.
"She epitomizes the dream for many in the sport of kings: a true underdog sold for a mere 5,000 guineas as a yearling, who ultimately transcended the sport, accumulating just shy of AU$19.5 million from 29 starts and capturing the hearts and minds of all who witnessed her in full flight.
"Our thanks go to Chris Waller and his exceptional team, who have cared for and nurtured this great mare since her arrival on Australian shores, regular jockey James McDonald, who partnered her to nine of her top-level wins, and all who have contributed to her success over the past two seasons."
