Blake Shinn has capped off another remarkable season, adding a fourth Scobie Breasley Medal to his collection at last night’s awards ceremony, despite missing part of the year through injury. The Melbourne metropolitan premiership winner proved unstoppable in the voting, securing the highest tally for the 2024/25 season.

The 37-year-old has now completed a hat-trick of Scobie Breasley Medals from 2023 to 2025, with his latest successes joining his first win as an apprentice back in 2005.

Voted on by Racing Victoria stewards using the same 3-2-1 format as the AFL’s Brownlow Medal, the prestigious honour saw Shinn poll three votes at 13 separate metropolitan meetings across the season.

“I came here tonight unsure what was going to because it can be quite unpredictable,” Shinn said.

“It is quite humbling to win this medal, to be honest.”

Shinn credited his partner, Lucy Yeomans – who co-trains with Lloyd Kennewell at Cranbourne – for helping balance his driven nature with a calmer perspective.

The Victorian Racehorse of the Year went to Cox Plate heroine Via Sistina, becoming the sixth Chris Waller-trained galloper to claim the award.

Known for his ability to revitalise tried horses, Gavin Bedggood claimed the Colin Alderson Rising Star award, while Matt Laurie was recognised for the Most Outstanding Training Performance with his work on emerging filly Treasurethe Moment.

The VJA Damien Oliver Most Valuable Jockey honour was awarded to Damian Lane, with Logan Bates named VJA Rising Star. In the jumps ranks, Steve Pateman secured the Tommy Corrigan Medal for a record 10th time, having first lifted the award in 2007.