Winx gave the sell out crowd at Randwick the finish they were hoping for when she brought the curtain down on a glittering career while extending her unbeaten run to 33 in Saturday's $4 million Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m) and in the process crediting trainer Chris Waller with his 100th stakes win.
The 7yo daughter of Street Cry (IRE) circled the field to hit the lead 300 metres out. The Japanese runner Kluger (JPN) tried to go with her but could get no closer than one and a half lengths on the line with Hartnell a further two and a half lengths back in third. (images Steve Hart)
It was the third consecutive win in Sydney's WFA championship for Winx who closes out her career with a record of 37 wins and 3 seconds from 43 starts with earnings of a mind-boggling $26,451,175.
It was a world record 25th Group 1 for Winx.
"I can't describe her in words but thanks for appreciating her for what she is," Waller said.
It has been amazing to be a part of, I'm a small cog in the wheel.
My team have just done an amazing job. It is rare they get the accolades but this mare has been racing for four years against the very best.
Hugh Bowman believes Winx is going as well as she ever has.
"She's shown no signs of going backwards. We came here as confident as we've ever been and what a journey it's been. It's hard to believe it's the end actually," Bowman said.
"Having a young family and such a supportive family has kept everything very real for me. Having children certainly keeps everything in perspective, especially young children. Over the last 12
Winx bows out with wins in the:
Group 1 Wins
1st G1 Randwick Queen Elizabeth Stakes 2000m (2019)
1st G1 Randwick Chipping Norton Stakes 1600m (2019)
1st G1 Rosehill George Ryder Stakes 1500m (2019)
1st G1 Moonee Valley W S Cox Plate 2040m (2018)
1st G1 Flemington Turnbull Stakes 2000m (2018)
1st G1 Randwick Colgate Optic White Stakes 1600m (2018)
1st G1 Randwick Winx Stakes 1400m (2018)
1st G1 Randwick Queen Elizabeth Stakes 2000m (2018)
1st G1 Rosehill George Ryder Stakes 1500m (2018)
1st G1 Randwick Chipping Norton Stakes 1600m (2018)
1st G1 Moonee Valley W S Cox Plate 2040m (2017)
1st G1 Flemington Seppelt Turnbull Stakes 2000m (2017)
1st G1 Randwick Colgate Optic White Stakes 1600m (2017)
1st G1 Randwick Longines Queen Elizabeth Stks 2000m (2017)
1st G1 Rosehill China Horse Club George Ryder 1500m (2017)
1st G1 Randwick Tab Chipping Norton Stakes 1600m (2017)
1st G1 Moonee Valley W S Cox Plate 2040m (2016)
1st G1 Caulfield Ladbrokes Stakes 2000m (2016)
1st G1 Randwick Colgate Optic White Stakes 1600m (2016)
1st G1 Randwick Doncaster Mile 1600m (2016)
1st G1 Rosehill George Ryder 1500m (2016)
1st G1 Randwick Chipping Norton 1600m (2016)
1st G1 Moonee Valley W S Cox Plate 2040m (2015)
1st G1 Randwick Epsom Hcp 1600m (2015)
1st G1 Doomben Treasury Casino/Hotel Qld Oaks 2200m (2015)
Black Type Wins
1st G2 Randwick Apollo Stakes 1400m (2019)
1st G2 Randwick Tatts Club Chelmsford Stakes 1600m (2017)
1st G2 Randwick Bob Ingham Warwick Stakes 1400m (2017)
1st G2 Randwick The Star Apollo Stakes 1400m (2017)
1st G2 Randwick Warwick Stakes 1400m (2016)
1st G2 Randwick Optus Business Apollo Stakes 1400m (2016)
1st G2 Rosehill Theo Marks Stakes 1300m (2015)
1st G3 Sunshine Coast Sunshine Coast Guineas 1600m (2015)
1st G2 Rosehill Cellarbrations Phar Lap Stakes 1500m (2015)
1st G2 Randwick Coolmore Furious Stakes 1200m (2014)
A half-sister to Group III ATC Kindergarten Stakes winner El Divino, Winx was a $230,000 purchase by Magic Bloodstock out of the Coolmore draft at the 2013 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
Her dam Vegas Showgirl, a dual Listed stakes-winning daughter of Al Akbar, was a $455,000 purchase by Colm Santry Bloodstock on behalf of John Camilleri's Fairway Thoroughbreds at the 2008 Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale.
Vegas Showgirl has a 2yo Snitzel filly named Courchevel and a yearling filly by Exceed And Excel named Covent Garden.
On November 30, Vegas Showgirl arrived back from Japan after her date with Deep Impact (JPN).
THE FAIRYTALE IS COMPLETE - @winx_horse has done what so many other champions could not, and gone out a winner. Sit back and marvel at her last ever start, winning today’s Queen Elizabeth Stakes @royalrandwick#GoWinx. pic.twitter.com/4OcT5rN650
— Sky Racing (@SkyRacingAU) April 13, 2019