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Cox Plate History & Records News
- Ladbrokes Cox Plate 2026 Field Locked In: 12 WFA Stars to Face off at Flemington
- Past Cox Plate Winners & History
- Via Sistina Wins 2025 Cox Plate in Thrilling Waller Quinella
- Ladbrokes Cox Plate 2024 Result: Via Sistina Wins by 8 Lengths for Waller & McDonald
- 2017 Cox Plate History Stacks up for Winx
Cox Plate history is a story of champions, records, and legendary performances that have shaped one of Australia’s most prestigious horse races. First run in 1922 and named in honour of Moonee Valley Racing Club founder William Samuel Cox, the Group 1 Cox Plate has grown into the nation’s premier weight-for-age championship, attracting elite middle-distance gallopers from Australia and around the world.
Traditionally held over 2040m at Moonee Valley, a new chapter in Cox Plate history occured in 2026 when the event ran outside of The Valley, which was closed for redevelopment, for the first time and Flemington the new host of the iconic weight-for-age spring feature.
Exploring Cox Plate history provides valuable insight into the race’s evolution, winning trends, famous victories, and unforgettable moments that have helped earn its reputation as the “Race Where Legends Are Made.”
The Cox Plate boasts an honour roll featuring some of the greatest thoroughbreds in turf history, including iconic multiple winners and internationally recognised champions. Exploring Cox Plate history provides valuable insight into the race’s evolution, famous victories, training and jockey records, winning trends, and unforgettable moments that have helped earn its reputation as the “Race Where Legends Are Made.” At Races.com.au, racing fans can delve into the rich Cox Plate history and records, past winners, milestone achievements, and the key statistics behind one of the crown jewels of the Australian racing.
The inaugural Cox Plate was won by the imported stallion Violoncello, ridden by J King, in 1922.
Considered the weight-for-age championship of Australasia, the Cox Plate is known as the ‘race where champions are made’ and since its first running many Cox Plate records have been set.
The final field of runners is always made up of the finest horses and many true turf champions have claimed multiple Cox Plate victories including Phar Lap, Flight, Tobin Bronze, Sunline, Northerly, Fields Of Omagh, So You Think, Winx who made Cox Plate history with three victories – the only other along with Kingston Town (1980-82) to do so, and Via Sistina (2024-25).
Winx was in the Cox Plate history books for her 2018 success becoming the only four-time Cox Plate champion.
The Cox Plate began as a principal race run over ten furlongs and was converted to 2000m in 1972. A few years later in 1974 the race distance was changed to its current length of 2040m. In 1979 when the event first reached its Group 1 status it was run over 2000m for one year, before the distance was changed again in 1980 to 2050m.
This was also the year when the legendary Kingston Town won his first of an eventual three successive Cox Plates, the only horse to amass three victories in the race until Winx. In 1988 the length went back to 2040m and has remained the same up until today.
As one of Australia’s oldest premier racing events, Cox Plate history is long and rich.
Winx Cox Plate History
2015: Winx won her first Cox Plate in 2015 as the first favourite in Cox Plate betting to get the job done since So You Think for his second win in 2010
2016: Cox Plate history was made in 2016 when Winx defended her title to become the 13th multiple Cox Plate winner by a new record winning margin of eight lengths.
2017: In the 2017 Ladbrokes Cox Plate Winx made history again joining Kingston Town as the only three-time Cox Plate winners and also beat her own race record winning time.
2018: Winx celebrated her record fourth Cox Plate win in 2018 becoming the sole four-time Cox Plate winner in history.
WS Cox Plate Records: | |
Time Record: | 2:01.07 set by Via Sistina in 2024. Prior to the installation of this track Better Loosen Up ran 2:01.05 in 1990. |
Shortest Priced Winner: | Phar Lap ($1.07) at 1/14 in 1931. |
Longest Priced Winners: | Leonard (1946) and Mosaic (1939) both at 50/1. |
Most Successful Trainer: | TJ Smith won an impressive seven times with Redcraze (1957), Tulloch (1960), Gunsynd (1972), Kingston Town (1980, 1981, 1982), and Red Anchor (1984). |
Most Successful Jockey: | Darby Munro managed an amazing five win on Rogilla (1933), Young Idea (1987), Mosaic (1939), Beau Vite (1941) and Hydrogen (1952). |
Largest Winning Margin: | Winx (2016) and Via Sistina (2024) eight lengths. Previous record of Dulcify (1979) and Sunline (1999) who both won the race by seven lengths. |
Cox Plate History Timeline
1922-1945: The Foundations
The inaugural Cox Plate was run in 1922, establishing a race that would eventually become Australia’s premier weight-for-age contest. Early winners helped build the event’s growing prestige within Victorian racing circles.
1946-1979: Championship Status
The post-war decades saw the Cox Plate emerge as a genuine championship race, attracting the nation’s best horses. Champions including Tulloch and surround era stars elevated the race’s profile nationally.
1980-1999: The Modern Legends
The modern era was defined by the three consecutive victories of Kingston Town (1980-82), a feat that stood unmatched for decades. International interest also began to increase during this period.
2000-2015: Global Recognition
The Cox Plate became an internationally recognised feature race, attracting elite local and overseas runners. Champions such as So You Think, Northerly, Sunline, and Makybe Diva enhanced the race’s global reputation.
2016-Present: The Winx Era & Beyond
No discussion of Cox Plate history is complete without Winx, whose record four consecutive victories from 2015 to 2018 transformed the race and cemented her place among the greatest racehorses in history.
Greatest Cox Plate Winners of All Time
Winx
The undisputed queen of the Cox Plate, Winx became the first horse in history to win four consecutive editions of the race and is widely regarded as one of Australia’s greatest thoroughbreds.
Kingston Town
The legendary champion became the first horse to win three straight Cox Plates, setting a benchmark that stood until Winx arrived decades later.
Phar Lap
One of Australia’s most famous racehorses, Phar Lap’s Cox Plate triumph remains an important part of the race’s rich history.
Sunline
The New Zealand superstar won back-to-back Cox Plates and was renowned for her toughness and brilliance at weight-for-age level.
So You Think
A dual Cox Plate winner whose dominance at Moonee Valley launched a career that would later include success on the international stage.
Northerly
The Western Australian champion claimed consecutive Cox Plates and remains one of the most popular winners in modern racing history.
Cox Plate Records
Most Cox Plate Wins by a Horse
- Winx (4) – 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018
Consecutive Cox Plate Wins
- Winx (4)
- Kingston Town (3)
- So You Think (2)
- Sunline (2)
- Northerly (2)
Most Successful Trainers
The Cox Plate honour roll includes legends of Australian racing such as:
- Tommy Smith
- Bart Cummings
- Chris Waller
Most Successful Jockeys
Several champion riders have enjoyed multiple Cox Plate victories throughout the race’s history, establishing long-standing records at Moonee Valley.
Largest Winning Margin
The Cox Plate has produced a number of dominant victories, with several champions recording impressive margin wins throughout the race’s history.
International Cox Plate Success
While the Cox Plate has traditionally been dominated by Australian and New Zealand horses, it has increasingly attracted international participation. European, Japanese, Irish, and British-trained runners have made their presence felt, adding a global flavour to the race and further enhancing its status as an international championship.
Famous Cox Plate Moments
Winx Creates History
In 2018, Winx recorded her fourth straight Cox Plate triumph, achieving a feat previously considered impossible.
Kingston Town’s Three-Peat
From 1980 to 1982, Kingston Town announced himself as one of Australia’s greatest racehorses with three consecutive Cox Plate victories.
Makybe Diva’s Triumph
The Melbourne Cup queen added the Cox Plate to her resume in one of the most memorable performances of her illustrious career.
International Challenges
The modern Cox Plate has produced numerous memorable clashes between Australia’s best and elite international visitors.
Cox Plate Betting Trends
Punters analysing historical Cox Plate results often focus on several key trends:
- Favourites possess a strong winning strike rate compared to many major handicap races.
- Proven Group 1 form is generally a critical factor.
- Weight-for-age specialists have a superior record to horses stepping up from handicap company.
- Most winners arrive through key lead-up races such as the Underwood Stakes, Turnbull Stakes, and Might And Power.
Cox Plate Barrier Statistics
While class often outweighs barrier position in the Cox Plate, certain patterns have emerged over the years:
- Inside and middle barriers have historically performed well.
- The small field sizes typically seen in the Cox Plate reduce the disadvantages often associated with wider barriers.
- Tactical speed is often an important asset around the unique Moonee Valley circuit.
Cox Plate Trainer Records
The Cox Plate has been won by many of Australian racing’s greatest trainers, including:
- Tommy Smith
- Bart Cummings
- Colin Hayes
- David Hayes
- Chris Waller
- Gai Waterhouse
Their success highlights the importance of careful race placement and specialised weight-for-age preparation.
Cox Plate Jockey Records
Many of Australia’s all-time great riders have claimed Cox Plate glory, with the race regarded as one of the most coveted trophies for any jockey. Winning the Cox Plate often defines a jockey’s career and cements their place in racing history.
Interesting Cox Plate Facts
- The Cox Plate was first run in 1922.
- The race is contested over 2040 metres at Moonee Valley.
- It is widely regarded as Australia’s premier weight-for-age race.
- Winx is the only four-time Cox Plate winner.
- Kingston Town remains one of the most celebrated three-time winners.
- The race is known worldwide as the “Race Where Legends Are Made.”
- Many Melbourne Cup, Golden Slipper, and international stars have also won the Cox Plate.
- The Cox Plate is one of the richest and most prestigious races of the Australian Spring Racing Carnival.
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