Author: Alex Dudley
With less than a month to go for the Kentucky Derby, horse racing enthusiasts received this week
the sad, but well-deserved, retirement news from Winx. Every sports fan in Australia have heard of
the enigmatic and unbeaten horse. The eight-year-old will close the curtain on a prolific career that
has seen over $24 million in prize money.
However, her legacy is far from a certainty for connections. Hugh Bowman will saddle up for one
final time on the horse that has caught the imaginations and hearts of an entire country. Winx’s co-
owners couldn’t hide their joy at her career thus far.
Debbie Keptis explained: “Win, lose or draw. I am so proud of her wonderful heart. In ten years, we
will look back at this period and wonder how she was able to achieve what she has.”
Her career has been the stuff of legends, and her status will always be immortalised no matter what
happens on her final run. She will be renowned as one of Australia’s greatest ever racehorses after
winning 32 straight races; including 24 Group Ones.
Future Plans
The owners have already suggested that the foals that will be produced could be valued at a starting
price of $1 million. However, it’s likely that the eight-year-old will be given a 12-month break from
any kind of action before moving onto her new chapter.
Racegoers were left disappointed when they heard the news that Winx would be retiring as it was
considered that she still had so much to give to racing. However, Keptis had an opposing view. She
said: “We feel that she has done the most she can do for the sport”.
We will to send her for a normal spell. She’ll just act like an ordinary racehorse. We will let herself
go down and become a paddock animal.
“I do everything following my heart, and that’s how we shall breed with her.”
Flat racing predominantly focuses on bloodlines. So taking into account the career that Winx has had
there would be little doubt about the potential ability of the quality of horse that Winx will produce.
Of course, it isn’t a certainty that this will be the case, and the chances of her foal living up to the
legend of her parent will be a challenge; but the bloodline suggests that there could be a good
chance.
The name of the eight-year-old already comes at a price for anybody that shares her same genes.
Her niece was sold for $750,000 at the prestigious Easter Yearling Sales earlier in the year.
Given the fact that mares can have up to ten foals, anything could be possible for the legacy of Winx.
Keptis understands that and has little doubt about the future. She said: “She has defied all the
history books, and in my mind, there is no question that she will be a great mum.”
Final Swansong
There have been a few concerns ahead of her last run, as she uncharacteristically kicked out during
the parading at Randwick on Thursday. Winx had to undergo a veterinary check after hitting the
metal railing. Fortunately for the owners, jockey and horse, there was no damage, and she was
cleared for the swansong race of her career.
This highlights one of the only moments in her career when there has been any manner of doubt. In
fact, over her last four runs at Randwick, she has won by a total of 13 ½ lengths over her rivals. The
legend will never be in doubt, but she will remain the favourite among the horse racing betting to
see off her career with another famous win.
It is sure to be an emotional day all around the racing world, as everybody holds their breath hoping
for Winx to amaze everybody in attendance one last time, and few would bet against that after she
has made her career doing just that.
