Cosmic Crusader delivers Andrea Leek's first Cox Plate win
Andrea Leek becomes the third female trainer to win the Cox Plate, the first since Moira Murdoch in 1994.
Cosmic Crusader won the 2026 Cox Plate at Flemington on Friday, claiming the $6 million purse under Western Australian jockey William Pike. The six-year-old gelding beat favoured Aeliena and Birdman over 2040m.
Pike, known as the Wizard of the West, said he never dreamed he'd win a race of this stature. Leek is only the third female trainer to win the Cox Plate in the race's history.
The last was Moira Murdoch in 1994 with Solvit. Cosmic Crusader had finished fourth in the Caulfield Cup the week before, but Leek backed the horse to peak on the day.
- $6 million
- Purse
- 2040 metres
- Distance
- William Pike
- Jockey
- $9.50
- Starting odds
Why it mattersA female trainer winning one of Australian racing's most prestigious races after four decades is a milestone for the sport and signals women breaking through in an elite, male-dominated field.
AustraliaThe victory is significant for Australian racing, particularly for Western Australia, and shows progress toward gender parity in elite horse training across the country.
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 4 h ago
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