Four finalists named for Victorian Racehorse of the Year award
The race to be crowned Victoria’s top thoroughbred of the 2025/26 season has narrowed to four standout performers, with Racing Victoria unveiling the finalists for the prestigious Victorian Racehorse of the Year Award ahead of Saturday night’s Victorian Racing Awards in Melbourne.
The finalists, listed alphabetically, are Half Yours, Observer, Tentyris and defending winner Via Sistina, with the winner to be decided by a panel of Victorian racing officials, journalists and broadcasters based on performances in Victoria throughout the season.
Half Yours secured his place among the finalists after delivering one of the great staying campaigns of recent years. Prepared by Tony and Calvin McEvoy, the five-year-old became just the 13th horse to complete the coveted Caulfield Cup-Melbourne Cup double.
Three-year-old colt Observer also enjoyed a breakthrough season for trainer Ciaron Maher. After placing in the Caulfield Guineas, he progressed to victories in the Moonee Valley Vase and Victoria Derby before returning in autumn to capture the Australian Guineas, becoming only the fourth horse to complete the Derby-Guineas double.
Sprint sensation Tentyris announced himself as one of the country’s most exciting young horses. Trained by Anthony and Sam Freedman, the colt won the Gothic Stakes and Coolmore Stud Stakes before returning to Flemington to defeat older rivals in the Group 1 Black Caviar Lightning.
Defending Victorian Racehorse of the Year Via Sistina is seeking to become the first multiple winner of the award since Winx. The Chris Waller-trained mare again dominated the Spring Racing Carnival, claiming a second consecutive Cox Plate and Champions Stakes double before retiring.
The Victorian Racing Awards will also celebrate the season’s leading trainers, jockeys and apprentices, while honouring recipients of awards including the Scobie Breasley Medal, Tommy Corrigan Medal and Colin Alderson Rising Star Award.
