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Sydney’s own superstar mare Winx was overnight named the Highest-rated Racehorse on Turf during the Longines World’s Best Racehorses awards for 2016 held at the iconic Claridge’s Hotel in London.

Winx produced a superb rating of 132 to make her the highest-rated turf horse and highest rated filly/mare on the planet.

“Winx is quickly gaining international acclaim and has made the world sit up and take notice, especially after her breathtaking victories in the Doncaster Mile at Royal Randwick and the Cox Plate,” said Racing NSW’s Chief Executive, Peter V’landys AM.

“Congratulations to trainer Chris Waller and his team, the owners of Winx and regular rider Hugh Bowman on a wonderful job keeping the mare in such scintillating form.

Left: Hugh & Christine Bowman with Stephanie & Chris Waller at the Longines awards night in London. Image courtesy Longines

“Like her growing band of fans, we are all looking forward to Winx returning to Royal Randwick next month and proceeding to The Championships in April.”

Having stretched her unbeaten sequence to 13, Winx is expected to resume her autumn campaign in the $250,000 The Star Apollo Stakes (1400m) at Royal Randwick on Saturday 11 February.

The five-year-old’s ultimate target is the $4 million Longines Group 1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m) run during The Championships at Royal Randwick on Saturday 8 April.

Australian Turf Club Chief Executive Officer, Darren Pearce, said the Longines World’s Best Racehorse Rankings had recognised Sydney’s world class racing.

“Sydney is very proud to be the home city of Winx, and the ATC congratulates all involved with her career in receiving this international award,” Mr Pearce said.

“With all racing fans in Sydney, we especially look forward to seeing her on track in four races this autumn, including the Longines Queen Elizabeth Stakes during The Championships at Royal Randwick.

“We also congratulate the Chautauqua team on the award for world’s equal best sprinter as he prepares to win an unprecedented third Darley TJ Smith Stakes at The Championships.”

Two other Sydney-trained gallopers figured prominently in the world’s best list with Hartnell rated 8th and Chautauqua 18th. American colt Arrogate was crowned the 2016 Longines World’s Best Racehorse with a rating of 134, California Chrome (USA) was rated second at 133 with Winx third on 132.

*The Longines World’s Best Horse Race award recognises the best-rated race of the highest-rated Group 1 international races as established by a panel of international handicappers. The ratings of the top four finishers in each race serve as basis for the assessment