One of the greatest seasons of all time has secured Via Sistina the TAB NSW Champion Horse of the Year award. The Chris Waller-trained mare was recognised at Racing’s Night of Champions for her outstanding performance in 2024/2025 which included equalling Winx’s record of seven Group 1s in a single season.
The evergreen eight-year-old was first announced as NSW Middle Distance Horse of the Year before taking out the night’s top honours.
A shortlist of 43 finalists was decided by a point score system, with horses earning points for top three finishes in Group and Listed races. The finalists were then judged by a panel of industry experts including representatives from Racing NSW, The Australian Turf Club, racing media, and the NSWROA board.
The eight award winners claimed a total of 16 Group 1s between them throughout 2024/2025. Lady Shenandoah picked up two of the famous golden horse head trophies, first as the NSW 3-Year-Old of the Year, then the NSW Queen of the Autumn.
More than 300 guests filled the Ballroom at Royal Randwick for the annual event, which celebrates the NSW thoroughbred horse racing industry’s best. SKY
Thoroughbred Central’s Chantelle Buckley and Ben Way interviewed key players on the red carpet, as owners, trainers, jockeys, and breeders mingled during pre-dinner drinks
Racing’s Night of Champions is hosted by the NSW Racehorse Owners Association, which is celebrating its 60th anniversary in 2025.
To mark the milestone a new award has been introduced to celebrate and thank an owner who has made a sustained and outstanding contribution to the sport.
Industry stalwart Debbie Kepitis was announced as the inaugural recipient of the NSWROA Industry Recognition Award.
“Debbie is one of the most recognisable faces in Australian racing and her passion for the industry is evident to anyone who has the pleasure of meeting her,” NSWROA President Tony Mitevski said.
“She is best known as a part-owner of the legendary Winx who generously shared her journey from Warwick Farm Maiden to a 25-time Group 1 winner with the public, but Debbie’s contribution goes far beyond that.”
Racing NSW’s annual awards were also presented on the night. Chris Waller picked up his 14th successive T J Smith Award for Leading Sydney Trainer with 184 wins. He also took home the prestigious Bart Cummings Medal.
The first replay of Racing’s Night of Champions will be shown on SKY Thoroughbred Central at 8.30pm Friday, 29th August, with re-runs scheduled for the following days.
