Racing Australia has announced the finalists for the 2025-26 Australian Racehorse of the Year awards, with Half Yours, Autumn Glow, Via Sistina, Sheza Alibi, and Sir Delius among the contenders for the top honor. The awards will be presented at Racing's Night of Champions Aug. 27 at Royal Randwick, recognizing performances in Australia and abroad by Australian-trained horses and people.
Golden Slipper Stakes (G1) winner Guest House headlines the champion 2-year-old finalists alongside Campione D'Italia, Fireball, Streisand, and Tron Bolt. Autumn Boy, Beiwacht, Green Spaces, Observer, and Tentyris are nominated in the champion 3-year-old colt or gelding category, while Apocalyptic, Marhoona, Ohope Wins, Sheza Alibi, and Tempted comprise the 3-year-old filly finalists.
Champion sprinter nominees are Autumn Glow, Jigsaw, Joliestar, Tempted, and Tentyris, while the champion middle distance category features Aeliana, Autumn Glow, Sheza Alibi, Sir Delius, and Via Sistina. Aeliana, Changingoftheguard, Dubai Honour, Half Yours, and Royal Supremacy will contest the champion stayer award. Highland Blaze, Instigator, Mr Waterville, Sing for Peace, and Stern Idol are the champion jumper finalists, with Stern Idol bidding for a fourth consecutive title.
Chris Waller has secured the Bart Cummings Award as champion group 1 trainer for a 14th successive season after preparing a record 22 elite-level winners. James McDonald has been named champion group 1 jockey for a sixth consecutive year following a record 17 Australian group 1 victories. The late Snitzel secured his fifth champion sire title after his progeny earned AU$25.9 million during the season.
