Another jewel has been added to the tiara of superstar Winx after she was announced as 2016 Australian Racehorse of the Year in Sydney on Thursday night.
The Chris Waller-trained mare polled 59 of the 60 votes from a national media group to take the honour in a glittering ceremony held for the first time in the harbour city at the Four Seasons Hotel. (all images Steve Hart)
"Winx is not just one of the greatest mares we have seen for many years, she is now adored by the public and has become the 'people's horse'," said Mr Peter V'landys AM, Racing NSW's Chief Executive."We have seen crowd figures swell whenever she races and she's now taken on a 'Black Caviar' type status. Our warm congratulations go to Winx's owners, her trainer Chris Waller and his staff, and jockey Hugh Bowman; they have all done a remarkable job continuing Winx's winning streak.
"Also congratulations to Chris Waller and Hugh Bowman on stellar racing seasons, capturing a long list of Group One wins between them. We also recognise connections of the other category winners; there are some outstanding racehorses among them."
A $230,000 purchase for Magic Bloodstock from the Coolmore draft at the Magic Millions Gold
Coast Yearling Sale in 2013, Winx was bred by Fairway Thoroughbreds and has developed into not only one of
Australia's best horses, but indeed one of the highest ranked in the world.Part owner Debbie Kepitis summed up what the award meant to her and her
fellow connections including trainer Chris Waller and jockey Hugh Bowman.
"She's an amazing horse," Kepitis beamed. "We are on the ride of a lifetime - we are at the peak of a wave."
"We want this wave to travel forever and on this wave we have the whole of the Australian public with us."
"She has done it. There's a lot of people to thank but ultimately without Winx we wouldn't be here," Kepitis added.
It is the second straight Champion Racehorse of the Year award for an MM Gold Coast Yearling Sale purchase following Dissident's crowning a year earlier.
"She's an amazing horse," Kepitis beamed. "We are on the ride of a lifetime - we are at the peak of a wave."
"We want this wave to travel forever and on this wave we have the whole of the Australian public with us."
"She has done it. There's a lot of people to thank but ultimately without Winx we wouldn't be here," Kepitis added.
It is the second straight Champion Racehorse of the Year award for an MM Gold Coast Yearling Sale purchase following Dissident's crowning a year earlier.
Winx wasn't the only Magic Millions graduate to be crowned -
Capitalist and Tarzino were amongst the big winners.Capitalist, a winner of the Jeep Magic Millions 2YO Classic and Golden Slipper Stakes, was a deserved Champion Two-Year-Old.
The $165,000 Gold Coast Yearling Sale purchase from Daandine Stud for James Harron Bloodstock, is trained by Peter and Paul Snowden.
Capitalist, a son of another Magic Millions graduate from Daandine Stud in Written Tycoon, is set to run in Saturday's Roman Consul Stakes.
Tarzino capped a big night when he was crowned the Champion Three Old Colt of
Gelding after sweeping the Victoria Derby and Rosehill Guineas.A $60,000 National Yearling purchase for trainer Mick Price from the draft of Yarraman Park Stud, Tarzino now wears the colours of Rosemont Stud, the far he will ultimately retire to stud. Tarzino is running in another Group One race on Sunday at Flemington.
Winx took all before her during the 2015/16 racing season, winning each of her seven starts and having since maintained an unbeaten sequence that has now stretches 11 straight.
Winx's seven 2015/16 wins ($5.62 million in prizemoney) comprised:-
Group 1 Doncaster Mile (1600m) at Royal Randwick
Group 1 W.S. Cox Plate (2040m) at Moonee Valley '
Group 1 Epsom Handicap (1600m) at Royal Randwick
Group 1 George Ryder Stakes (1500m) at Rosehill
Gardens Group 1 Chipping Norton Stakes (1600m) at Royal Randwick
Group 2 Apollo Stakes (1400m) at Royal Randwick
Group 2 Theo Mark Stakes (1300m) at Rosehill Gardens
Winners of the other categories are:-
Bart Cummings Award (recognises trainer with most Group 1 wins across the season): CHRIS WALLER (15 Group 1 victories)
Group 1 Jockey of the Year Award: HUGH BOWMAN (12 Group 1 victories – including two in Hong Kong)
2016 Champion Two-Year-Old of the Year: CAPITALIST (by Written Tycoon, trained by Peter & Paul Snowden - won Gr 1 Golden Slipper, LR Breeders' Plate, Magic Millions 2yo Classic)
2016 New Zealand Bloodstock Champion Three-Year-Old Filly of the Year: ENGLISH (by Encosta de Lago, trained by Gai Waterhouse - won Gr 1 All Aged Stakes, Gr 2 Challenge Stakes)
2016 Champion Three-Year-Old Colt or Gelding of the Year: TARZINO (by Tavistock, trained by Mick Price - won Gr 1 Victoria Derby, Gr 1 Rosehill Guineas)
2016 Inglis Champion Sprinter of the Year: CHAUTAUQUA (by Encosta de Lago, trained by Michael, Wayne & John Hawkes - won Gr 1 T.J. Smith Stakes, Gr 1 Manikato Stakes, Gr 1 Chairmans Sprint (Hong Kong), Gr 1 Lightning Stakes, Gr 2 Gilgai Stakes, Gr 2 McEwen Stakes)
2016 Champion Middle-Distance Racehorse of the Year: WINX (by Street Cry (IRE), trained by Chris Waller)
2016 Champion Stayer of the Year: PREFERMENT (by Zabeel, trained by Chris Waller - won Gr 1 The BMW, Gr 1 Australian Cup, Gr 1 Turnbull Stakes, Gr 2 Hill Stakes)
Sire of the Year Award: STREET CRY (Ire) (Champion Australian Sire for 2015/16)
2016 Champion Jumper of the Year: ZANTECO (by Zabeel, trained by Darren Weir - won Grand National Hurdle & J.J. Houlahan Hurdle)
Racing NSW Release / MM Release
