Australian Turf Club has honoured the Longines World’s Best Racehorse, Sydney’s mighty mare Winx, by renaming one of the Group One races she has made her own in recent years.
ATC made application to Racing NSW which approved the renaming of the 1400m Warwick Stakes to the Winx Stakes, to be run at Royal Randwick on Saturday, 18 August, 2018.This year’s running of the $500,000 Winx Stakes coincides with the race being elevated to Group One Status.
Winx has won the past two runnings, part of her remarkable 25-race winning streak which has included 18 Group One victories following last Saturday’s $4 million Longines Queen Elizabeth Stakes.
Australian Turf Club Chairman, Laurie Macri, said: “The ATC believes it is fitting for this race to be run as a Group One for the first time to be named in honour of Winx.
“She has captivated the world with her career, earning recognition as Longines World’s Best Racehorse and the ATC is proud to have her stabled at our great racecourse Rosehill Gardens.
"We thank and congratulate all of her owners, Debbie Kepitis, Peter Tighe and Richard Treweeke for allowing us to use this new name for one of our Group One races."
Racing NSW Chairman, Russell Balding AO, welcomed the announcement: “Winx transcends racing into the mainstream of Australian sport and the Winx Stakes will be recognised everywhere, well into the future,” Mr Balding said.
Winx’s owners are yet to map out a spring racing program for the mare, including if she runs in the race to be named in her honour.