Winx breaks G1 record with 17th win
NEVER doubt the heart of a champion.
It’s a maxim that applies to both Winx and her brilliant jockey Hugh Bowman, who has fought back from suspension and injury to help keep the wonder mare’s incredible winning streak intact.
Winx stole the show on Golden Slipper day with another memorable effort to win the Group 1 $1 million The Agency George Ryder Stakes (1500m), thrilling the huge crowd at Rosehill yesterday.
Bowman continued his rollercoaster ride with Winx — a suspension derailed their return to racing last month, while the world’s best jockey had to overcome a sickening fall just two weeks ago to get back in the saddle.
And yesterday’s ride wasn’t the walk in the park most expected despite Winx ($1.16 favourite) always looking in control of the race, scoring by nearly a length from a very game Happy Clapper ($21) with Kementari ($8.50) a length away third.
Bowman settled the great mare at the rear of the small six-horse field and was content to let her travel three-wide most of the race.
Every start, she crushes her rivals, breaks records for fun and enhances her ever-lasting legacy as one of the all-time greats of the turf:
Winx recorded her 17th Group 1 win — breaking the world record previously set by American champ John Henry in 1984;
She scored her 24th win in succession, trailing by one win the record of unbeaten Black Caviar;
The wonder mare became the first Australian-trained racehorse to break the $16 million prizemoney barrier;
She has now met and beaten 57 individual Group 1 winners; and
Her long winning streak now stretches an amazing 1077 days.
Trainer Chris Waller conceded he has run out of superlatives to describe the mighty mare.
“It’s pretty special,’’ Waller said. “I knew she was going for a world record today but in the build-up to the race I tried not to think about it.”
Fortunately for race fans, there is no sign of Winx’s racing days ending any time soon.
“What a special, special horse she is and I’m just so grateful to be her jockey,” Bowman said.
Waller confirmed Winx will go to the Group 1 $4 million Longines Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m) at Royal Randwick on April 14.