It’s sweet 16th for champion mare Winx
Superstar mare Winx was not going to be denied her sweet 16th win in a row.
The world’s best horse on turf had an easy victory in the $1 million Group One George Ryder Stakes at a soggy Rosehill racecourse on Saturday, winning by more than seven lengths before a jubilant crowd.
Jockey Hugh Bowman knew before the horses had even jumped that Winx had her 16th consecutive win in hand.
“I feel like she is in the prime of her career,” he said.
“I expected more tempo early but I knew on the way to the barriers she meant business today.”
Winx’s tearful trainer Chris Waller did not expect a win quite like that.
“She is just an amazing horse.”
Part-owner Debbie Kepitis is no stranger to racing success as part of the Ingham family who count Octagonal among their many champions.
But crowd favourite Winx is something else.
“It is very uplifting. It’s something you can’t describe,” Kepitis said after hearing and watching the Rosehill crowd cheer Winx to victory.
“There’s adrenaline when you win a horse race with a horse. When you win with this horse there’s adrenaline.
“But when you have the whole of this racecourse willing her to win, it is just undescribable.”