Waller: Honour to train Winx Jnr
Top trainer for champ’s foal
Trainer Chris Waller admitted he was honoured to be selected as the trainer of Winx’s first foal.
Winx’s filly by Pierro sold for an extraordinary $10 million at the Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale on Tuesday, a world record for a yearling filly.
Debbie Kepitis, a part-owner of all-time great Winx which she bought years ago at the Magic Millions sale on the Gold Coast for $230,000, beat some spirited bidding on Monday for the filly including a wealthy US businessman, John Stewart, who was the underbidder at $9 million.
When auctioneer Jonathan D’Arcy’s gavel went down at $10 million, gasps of surprise and awe resonated around the sale ring.
Kepitis then fronted a media scrum to confirm her family would be racing the filly themselves and Waller would train her.
This seemed fitting as Waller prepared Winx to won 37 of her 43 races, the final 33 in succession. The champion mare set world records for most Group 1 wins (25) and prizemoney ($26.4 million).
“The initial emotion seeing Debbie’s face when the hammer came down was pretty special,’’ Waller said.
“It has been a long journey just to get here. Who would have thought when Winx was retired it would be four years down the track before her first foal would be sold.
“Winx has had her challenges having a foal, as we all know, so to have such a beautiful filly like this is a gift. I’m honoured to be training her.’’
Waller revealed he had no idea Mrs Kepitis was planning to buy Winx’s filly outright.
“I didn’t push it with any of the owners but I could see the attachment growing with all of them,’’ Waller said. “Winx’s three sets of owners have been fantastic, they have been here supporting Winx’s filly all week and they have had a good result.
“They are happy that Debbie and her family have secured the filly.’’
William Inglis managing director Mark Webster was responsible for enticing Stewart to invest in Australian racing and breeding.
Webster was taking bids by phone from Stewart in Kentucky and said the American wouldn’t go any higher than $9 million.
“When Debbie Kepitis went to $10 million, John simply said: ‘That’s it, I’m done’,’’ Webster said.
“But John has still purchased a number of yearlings at the sale and he wants to become a major investor in our industry.’’
Coolmore Australia supremo Tom Magnier prepared the Pierro-Winx filly for the Easter Yearling Sale and said the stunning result was a reflection of the strength of Australian racing and breeding.
“I wasn’t aware the filly has been sold for a world record price for a yearling filly,’’ Magnier said.
“But Winx was a phenomenal mare, she was revered around the racing world, and there was always going to be a lot of interest in her first foal.
“I’m very happy for Debbie and her family. We bred Riff Rocket that won the (ATC Australian) Derby last Saturday and I thought how are we going to top that but Winx always has a way of coming first.’’