A crowd of 34,617 witnessed Legendary on a New Stage as Cosmic Crusader claimed the $6 million Group 1 Ladbrokes Cox Plate at Flemington Racecourse.
It was a maiden Ladbrokes Cox Plate triumph for trainer Andrea Leek and jockey William Pike, with Cosmic Crusader becoming the first Western Australian horse to win the W.S. Cox Plate since Northerly in 2002.
Leek also became just the third female trainer to win the W.S. Cox Plate, joining Deirdre Stein (1985 – Rising Prince) and Moira Murdoch (1994 – Solvit).
Cosmic Crusader defeated Birdman by three-quarters of a length, with Aeliana a further head away in third. Ridden by James McDonald, Aeliana was attempting to deliver the champion jockey a fifth consecutive Ladbrokes Cox Plate victory.
The wait for a maiden Ladbrokes Cox Plate win continues for Gai Waterhouse, with Sir Delius finishing sixth in what was the legendary trainer’s 26th attempt at Australia’s Best Race.
While the 2026 Ladbrokes Cox Plate was staged away from The Valley for the first time in the race’s history, the occasion retained a familiar Valley feel.
Michael Paynter delivered a stirring rendition of The Horses in the traditional pre-race performance, setting the scene for the 106th running.
Cosmic Crusader’s strapper, Leigh Adamson, was also recognised with the HKJC World Pool Moment of the Day, receiving $8,000 for his part in the Ladbrokes Cox Plate triumph.
For the second time in three years, Ciaron Maher claimed the Group 2 Ladbrokes Moonee Valley Gold Cup, with Juja Kibo securing a golden ticket into the Melbourne Cup.
South Australian-based trainer Indianna Weinert celebrated a memorable victory in the Group 2 Cirka McEwen Stakes, with Smooth Chino taking out the race under jockey Austin Galati. Following the victory, Smooth Chino has been offered the Moonee Valley Racing Club slot in The Meteorite at Southside Cranbourne, a race the Club won last year with Jigsaw.
Ladbrokes Cox Plate ambassadors Tom Lynch (AFL), Sam Williamson (Olympic swimmer) and Abbey Caldwell (Olympic middle-distance runner) were among the notable guests in attendance at Flemington.
The day also celebrated the third year of MVRC’s partnership with Myeloma Australia as the Cox Plate Charity Pin Partner, continuing to raise funds and awareness for those affected by myeloma.
It was a special occasion for the Moonee Valley Racing Club, with Flemington Racecourse hosting Ladbrokes Cox Plate Day for one year while The Valley undergoes its major redevelopment.
Work continues on the racecourse site, with plans progressing towards a return of the Ladbrokes Cox Plate to The Valley in 2027.