Cox Plate Winners & Placegetters

The Cox Plate winners list is the backbone of Australia’s premier weight‑for‑age race, and Ladbrokes brings punters the full breakdown of past champions, key stats and the historical trends that shape this year’s Cox Plate betting market. From legendary repeat winners to international raiders and modern‑day stars, the Cox Plate history reveals clear patterns in how elite middle‑distance horses conquer the famous 2040m contest. Our comprehensive Cox Plate results archive helps punters identify winning profiles, tactical setups and stable dominance that consistently influence betting on the Australasian WFA championship each spring. Whether you’re analysing winning Cox Plate margins, the most successful Cox Plate winning barriers, or trainer strike‑rates, Ladbrokes is your home for the latest Cox Plate betting insights built directly from the winners who have defined this race for nearly a century.

The Ladbrokes Cox Plate is considered the greatest weight-for-age race in the world, and it has been won by some of the world’s best middle-distance thoroughbreds.

Traditionally run at Moonee Valley in late October, the Cox Plate is a spectacle every racing fan and punter loves to watch. The tight-turning Valley track makes for an exciting race as the horses pull out wide around the final turn to make their winning runs.

In 2026, the Cox Plate winner will be decided for the first time at Flemington Racecourse with The Valley undergoing a major redevelopment.

Past Cox Plate winners are a who’s who of world-class thoroughbreds, including the mighty Winx, Sunline, and Romantic Warrior. We look at the past winners of the Cox Plate, and everything you need to know about what trainers and jockeys to follow.

List of Cox Plate Winners by Year

The Cox Plate was first run in 1922 when taken out by Violoncello. It has a long history of being one of the top-graded races in the world, and there have been some amazing champions win the Group 1 feature.

Year	Winner	Trainer	Jockey	Time	Odds
2026	TBD	TBD	TBD	TBD	TBD
2025	Via Sistina	Chris Waller	James McDonald	2:05.03	$2.25
2024	Via Sistina	Chris Waller	James McDonald	2:01.07	$5.00
2023	Romantic Warrior	Danny Shum	James McDonald	2:03.16	$3.50
2022	Anamoe	James Cummings	James McDonald	2:10.17	$2.40
2021	State of Rest	Joseph O’Brien	John Allen	2:06.97	$7.50
2020	Sir Dragonet	Ciaron Maher/David Eustace	Glen Boss	2:08.46	$7.50
2019	Lys Grecieux	Yoshito Yahagi	Damian Lane	2:04.21	$3.50
2018	Winx	Chris Waller	Hugh Bowman	2:03.47	$1.20
2017	Winx	Chris Waller	Hugh Bowman	2:02.94	$1.10
2016	Winx	Chris Waller	Hugh Bowman	2:06.35	$1.70
2015	Winx	Chris Waller	Hugh Bowman	2:02.98	$5.50
2014	Adelaide	Aidan O’Brien	Ryan Moore	2:03.76	$8.00
2013	Shamus Award	Danny O’Brien	Chad Schofield	2:05.27	$21.00
2012	Ocean Park	Gary Hennessy	Glen Boss	2:04.14	$6.00

Bet on the 2026 Ladbrokes Cox Plate Winner

List of Multiple Cox Plate Winners

The Cox Plate winners’ list features many multiple winners, most recently Winx, who amazingly won four consecutive Cox Plates followed by the fellow Chris Waller trained mare Via Sistina (2024-25). Some greats of the turf have won multiple Cox Plates, including Sunline, Phar Lap, Northerly, and Kingston Town.

Only a select group of champions have managed to win the Cox Plate more than once, and these multiple Cox Plate winners are central to the race’s legacy. Horses like Kingston Town, Winx and So You Think didn’t just win — they dominated, proving their ability to handle the unique rhythm, tight turns and tactical intensity of the Moonee Valley 2040m. These repeat winners highlight the traits punters should look for: tactical speed, adaptability, and elite sustained strength. Studying multiple Cox Plate winners provides valuable insight into the type of horse capable of going back‑to‑back or returning stronger the following spring, informing smarter Cox Plate betting 2026 predictions.

• Via Sistina x2 (2024-25)
• Winx x4 (2015-2018)
• Kingston Town x3 (1980-1982)
• So You Think (2009-2010)
• Fields of Omagh (2003, 2006)
• Northerly (2001-2002)
• Sunline (1999-2000)
• Tobin Bronze (1966-1967)
• Hydrogen (1952-1953)
• Flight (1945-1946)
• Tranquil Star (1942, 1944)
• Beau Vite (1940-1941)
• Young Idea (1936-1937)
• Chatham (1932, 1934)
• Phar Lap (1929 – 1930)

List of the Most Successful Cox Plate-Winning Jockeys

There are many jockeys with two or more Cox Plate wins under their belt. Topping the list is Darby Munro, who scored five Cox Plate wins between 1933 and 1952, including riding Hydrogen to his first Cox Plate win in 1952.

Recently, James McDonald and Hugh Bowman have won multiple times, with McDonald winning four consecutive Cox Plates on three different horses.

• Darby Munro x5 (1933, 1937, 1939, 1941, 1952)
• James McDonald x4 (2022-2025)
• Hugh Bowman x4 (2015-2019)
• Glen Boss x4 (2005, 2009, 2012, 2020)
• Brent Thomson x4 (1975, 1977-1979)
• Jack Purtell x4 (1950, 1951, 1954, 1956)
• Neville Sellwood x3 (1949, 1959, 1960)

Most Successful Cox Plate Winning Trainers

The Cox Plate has always been shaped by powerhouse stables and elite riders, and the Cox Plate history shows just how important top‑end experience is at weight‑for‑age level. Legendary trainers like T.J. Smith, Chris Waller and Bart Cummings have built extraordinary Cox Plate records, consistently producing horses capable of handling the pressure, tempo and tactical demands of the race. Understanding the most successful Cox Plate trainers helps punters identify stables who traditionally perform strongly in this championship — a key edge when assessing Cox Plate odds for this spring.

T.J. Smith notably scored an incredible seven Cox Plate victories, most notably scoring three consecutive wins with Kingston Town.

In 2025 trainer Chris Waller secured his sixth Cox Plate trophy to sit one off the all-time training record in the event.

• T.J. Smith x7 (1957, 1960, 1972, 1980-1982, 1984)
• Jack Holt x6 (1923, 1926, 1928, 1936-1937, 1947)
• Chris Waller x6 (2015-2019, 2024-25)
• Bart Cummings x5 (1973, 1996-1997, 2009-2010)
• Trevor & Stephen McKee x2 (1999-2000)
• Fred Kersley x2 (2001-2002)
• David Hayes x2 (1990, 2006)
• Colin Hayes x2 (1978-1979)

International Cox Plate Winners

The Cox Plate has become a global target, and the rise of international Cox Plate winners has reshaped the race’s profile. Champions like Adelaide and other high‑class raiders have shown that top‑tier European and Asian middle‑distance horses can adapt quickly to Australian conditions and thrive under weight‑for‑age pressure. International runners often bring superior form lines, strong staying foundations and tactical versatility — traits that translate well to the Cox Plate’s demanding setup. Tracking the performance of international winners and placegetters helps punters understand how global form stacks up against local stars, adding another layer of insight when assessing Cox Plate results and futures markets.

See below for the countries outside of Australia and New Zealand to produce a past Cox Plate champion.

Ireland

• Adelaide (2014) – Trained by Aidan O’Brien (Ireland).
• State of Rest (2021) – Trained by Joseph O’Brien (Ireland).

United Kingdom

• Lys Gracieux (2019) – Japanese‑bred but trained by Yoshito Yahagi, raced internationally; however, she campaigned out of Japan, not UK. (Note: Not UK‑trained — included under Japan below.)

Japan

• Lys Gracieux (2019) – Trained by Yoshito Yahagi (Japan).

Hong Kong

• Romantic Warrior (2023) – Trained by Danny Shum (Hong Kong).

United Kingdom / Europe

• Almaarad (1989) – UK‑bred and internationally campaigned before racing in Australia; widely recognised as an international Cox Plate winner.

The 2026 Cox Plate nominations attracted 15 international entries. Will we see an internationally trained Ladbrokes Cox Plate 2026 champion?

Famous Cox Plate Winners

It’s tough to pick a few winners from the Cox Plate list, but there are some standout performances over the course of Cox Plate history. Moonee Valley Racing Club has been the scene of some of Australian racing’s greatest ever performances, headlined by Bonecrusher’s 1986 win over fellow Kiwi raider Our Waverley Star.

Bonecrusher (1986)

We expect every horse racing fan to have watched the epic battle between New Zealand runners Bonecrusher and Our Waverley Star in the 1986 Cox Plate. Named “The Race of the Century”, the two Kiwis paired off and put up many lengths on the field as they turned for home. It looked like Our Waverley Star was going to out-finish Bonecrusher, but the champion Kiwi pulled out all the stops. Commentator Bill Collins had an amazing call, culminating with “and Bonecrusher races into equine immortality”. It’s a classic example of how tough you need to be to win a Cox Plate, and it remains the most famous edition of the race.

Winx (2018)

Records were broken by arguably the best horse to grace the Australian turf in 2018. Winx won her fourth consecutive Cox Plate, a feat never achieved. Kingston Town won three in a row, and horses like Sunline tried and failed, so to win four on the bounce is an amazing achievement. Trainer Chris Waller had her in perfect condition, as the skinny $1.20 odds suggested. She was far too strong on the day, scoring by two lengths over Benbatl. All four of her wins deserve to be on the list, but with history being created in 2018, we’ve chosen that performance.

Sunline (2000)

There were many past Cox Plate winners we could have included, but Sunline’s 2000 win was outstanding. The Kiwi mare was shooting for consecutive wins after beating a tough field in 1999, but no one expected her to win so easily in 2000. She put lengths on the field approaching the turn as jockey Greg Childs put the foot down. It was the most dominant win of the 2000s, and she became a genuine superstar with the victory. It also marked her last win in the Cox Plate, with her 2001 and 2002 bids coming up short.

Cox Plate Winners by Decade

The Cox Plate winners list stretches back nearly a century, and breaking the champions down by decade helps punters spot long‑term patterns in Australia’s premier weight‑for‑age race. From the dominance of legends like Kingston Town in the 1980s to the rise of international raiders in the 2010s, each decade reveals shifts in training styles, race tempo, and the type of horse best suited to the 2040m test. Analysing Cox Plate winners by decade gives punters a clearer view of how the race has evolved — and how historical trends can influence Cox Plate betting today.

Cox Plate Information

The Cox Plate is run over 2040m at Moonee Valley (Flemington in 2026) every October, and it’s one of the biggest Group 1 races of the spring carnival. The Cox Plate prize money consists of $6 million, with $4 million going to the Cox Plate winner. It was increased from $5 to $6 million in 2025, with Racing Victoria injecting money into its biggest races.

It’s a weight-for-age contest, which makes it a winnable race for older and younger horses. The latest 3YO winner was Shamus Award in 2013 when causing a big upset at $21 odds.

Described as “the greatest two minutes in sport”, the Cox Plate is a must-see race this spring, and it also provides punters with a potential guide to the Melbourne Cup. Some horses attempt the double, including Rising Fast.

Betting on the Cox Plate

It takes a good horse to win the Cox Plate, which is why many winners have been favourites. 2024 winner Via Sistina wasn’t the favourite, but she was only a $5 chance, and she followed favourites Romantic Warrior and Anamoe.

Via Sistina did return in 2025 to successfully defend her title as the $2.25 favourite in betting on the Cox Plate!

In the last 11 years, eight favourites have won the Cox Plate. Four of those came via Winx, with the other being Japanese raider Lys Gracieux in 2019. It’s a favourites’ race, especially recently, but that wasn’t always the case.

The likes of Fields of Omagh, Maldivian, So You Think, and Shamus Award all won paying double-figure odds. So You Think paid $13 in 2009 before winning as a $1.50 chance in 2010.

Cox Plate Winning Trends

The Cox Plate winning trends give punters the edge when analysing Australia’s premier weight‑for‑age race, revealing the patterns, profiles and historical markers that consistently shape the Cox Plate results. By breaking down age statistics, barrier success, lead‑up form, and the growing impact of international raiders, punters can better understand exactly what type of horse wins the Cox Plate — and why. From the dominance of 4YOs to the tactical advantages of middle‑to‑wide draws and the rise of global stars, these insights turn raw history into practical betting intelligence. Whether you’re assessing Cox Plate odds or comparing this year’s contenders to past champions, the winning trends provide a clear blueprint for identifying genuine Cox Plate contenders.

Most Common Winning Age

Across the past two decades, 4YOs have dominated the Cox Plate, producing six winners, most recently Anamoe (2022). They sit ahead of 3YOs (five wins) and 6YOs (four wins), confirming that middle‑distance horses reaching peak maturity have the strongest strike‑rate.

While Winx broke the mould with victories at 4, 5, 6 and 7, and Via Sistina added wins as a 7YO (2024) and 8YO (2025), the broader trend still favours 3–5YO runners. The oldest modern winner remains Fields Of Omagh, who saluted as a 9YO in 2006.

Punters analysing Cox Plate betting should prioritise horses aged three to five, especially those already proven at WFA level.

Most Successful Barriers

Barrier trends at Moonee Valley have long shaped Cox Plate odds, with middle and wider gates producing the strongest results.

Key insights:

• Barrier 7 is the standout performer with five wins since 2000.
• Barriers 3, 4, 5, 6 and 11 also hold strong records, offering tactical flexibility.
• Barrier 5 is the most recent winning gate thanks to Via Sistina (2025).
• Inside barriers (1–2) have not won in 25 years, often leaving runners buried on the rail.

With the 2026 Cox Plate shifting to Flemington, the barrier profile changes dramatically. The wider, more forgiving track means inside gates are no longer a disadvantage, and wide draws won’t force jockeys into the early scramble that defined Moonee Valley’s tight 2040m start. Expect less barrier bias and more emphasis on race shape and tactical speed.

Winning Margins & Lead‑Up Form

Lead‑up form is one of the strongest Cox Plate predictors. Since So You Think (2009), only one winner has finished worse than third in their final run before the Cox Plate — Romantic Warrior, who placed 4th in the Turnbull Stakes (2023) before winning the big one.

This trend highlights:

• Horses must be in the top three in their lead‑up run to be considered genuine winning chances.
• Strong WFA or Group 1 form is essential.
• Poor lead‑up runs rarely translate into Cox Plate success.

Punters should heavily weight recent form, especially performances at 1600–2000m.

International vs Local Strike Rates

International runners have become increasingly influential in the modern Cox Plate era. Since 2014, three international raiders have won:

• Adelaide (IRE) – 2014
• Lys Gracieux (JPN) – 2019
• State of Rest (IRE) – 2021
• Romantic Warrior (HK) – 2023

This gives internationals a strong strike‑rate in the past decade, especially those arriving with elite Group 1 middle‑distance form.

Local champions still dominate the overall history, but the modern trend shows that top‑class internationals must be respected, particularly those with:

• Strong 2000m ratings
• Tactical versatility
• Proven WFA credentials

Punters assessing Cox Plate winners should treat international raiders as genuine winning threats, not outsiders.

Multiple Cox Plate Winners

Repeat winners are rare — but when they appear, they dominate:

• So You Think (2009–10)
• Winx (2015–18)
• Via Sistina (2024–25)

These horses share key traits:

• Elite WFA strength
• Tactical adaptability
• Ability to accelerate twice in a race
• Proven success at 2000m

Punters should look for runners with previous Cox Plate experience, especially those who have already placed in the race.

Cox Plate Winners FAQs

Which horse has the fastest Cox Plate time?

Via Sistina ran 2:01.07 when winning the Cox Plate in 2024. It broke the record of Better Loosen Up, who ran 2:01.05 in 1990.

How many mares have won the Cox Plate?

The Cox Plate has been won by mares on 15 occasions, most recently by Via Sistina in 2024 & 2025. It was won by mares in five consecutive years with Winx and Lys Grecieux.

How much does the winner of the Cox Plate get?

The Cox Plate winner gets $4 million, which increased from $3 million in 2025. The total purse is $6 million.

How many internationally trained runners have won the Cox Plate?

There have been 12 internationally-trained runners, including trainers from Japan, New Zealand, and Ireland.

Who was the 2025 Cox Plate winner?

The 2025 Ladbrokes Cox Plate winner was Via Sistina who went back-to-back in a thrilling finish to the 105th edition of the WFA feature! The eight-year-old Fastnet Rock mare successfully defended her title to win consecutive Cox Plate trophies for the first time since Winx as the $2.25 favourite for the event's now six-time winning trainer Chris Waller. James McDonald rode his fourth Cox Plate champion jumping from barrier 5 on 57kg to salute by 0.1 lengths on a Good (4) track in a time of 2:05.03.