Winx honoured in global online poll
SYDNEY super mare Winx has been voted the world’s most popular racehorse in a global online poll.
Winx has been awarded the prestigious Secretariat Vox Populi Award for 2018 which recognises the racehorse “whose popularity and racing excellence best resounded with the general public and gained recognition for thoroughbred racing.”
Winx was the top choice among international fans representing a record 60 countries. The other nominations were unbeaten US triple crown winner Justify, European super mare Enable, America’s champion older horse Accelerate and three-year-old filly Monomoy Girl.
The mighty mare’s owners, Peter Tighe, Debbie Kepitis and Richard Treweeke, trainer Chris Waller and jockey Hugh Bowman will be invited to famous US racetrack Santa Anita to be presented with the custom-made Secretariat Vox Populi trophy at an awards ceremony on January 12.
“I thought it would be won by the (US) Triple Crown winner Justify given it was a people’s choice award,” Tighe said.
“But this is a great honour and testament to Winx’s deeds on the racetrack. She certainly couldn’t do any more than she has done and anyone who questions her now is a very hard marker.
“This award is good for racing and recognition for our little ‘girl’ in Australia.”
Waller said the award was global recognition of Winx’s prolonged excellence.
“America has a massive population and their racing is very strong so it goes to show how well known Winx is over there,” he said.
“She has been so good over such a long time now which I guess helps to create that interest in her.”
Kepitis said the Secretariat Vox Populi Award was a tremendous honour for Winx and Australian racing.
“For Winx to be voted most popular racehorse is unbelievable, exciting and thrilling,” Kepitis said.
Winx won all seven races this year, including an unprecedented fourth consecutive Cox Plate.
Winx is the first Australiantrained horse to win the award and becomes only the second mare to be afforded the honour. US champion mare Zenyatta, who is by Winx’s sire Street Cry, was the inaugural 2010 winner.