On 18 August 2018, Australian mare Winx clocked up her record-breaking 26th consecutive race win. The race in which she achieved this milestone victory was previously known as the Warwick Stakes, and in 2017 was renamed the Winx Stakes in honour of the champion mare. This new Australian record breaks the 25 wins by Black Caviar, and makes Winx second worldwide only to the Hungarian mare Kincesm, which won all of her 54 races in the 1870s.
The Winx stamp issue celebrates the achievements of this magnificent mare. It features a photograph of Winx being ridden by her regular jockey Hugh Bowman. The stamp issue is available online and by mail order from 20 August 2018 and in Post Offices from 23 August 2018.
Stunning success
Winx has raced 35 times for 29 wins (including a world-record 18 Group One wins) and three 2nd placings. She has finished out of the placings on just three occasions. She has won over distances of 1100, 1200, 1300, 1400, 1500, 1600, 2000, 2040 and 2200 metres.
She is only the second horse in history to win three WS Cox Plates, after Kingston Town. She is the third mare in history to win two WS Cox Plates, after Sunline and Tranquil Star. However, Sunline and Winx are the only two to win the Cox Plate back-to-back. Among her impressive stable of victories, Winx has also won the Epsom Handicap, Doncaster Mile, Chipping Norton Stakes and George Ryder Stakes three times; the Queen Elizabeth Stakes and George Main Stakes twice; and the Turnbull Stakes.
Winx is the highest prizemoney earner in Australian history. Before winning the Winx Stakes she had a total prize money pool of $18,998,425 (The triple Melbourne Cup winning mare Makybe Diva is second with $14,527,110.)
In 2016 and 2017, Winx was nominated as the world's top-ranked filly or mare and the world's top-ranked turf horse. In 2017 she was inducted into the Australian Racing Hall of Fame, only the third horse to earn this honour while still in training. On 10 May 2018, Winx was placed at number one in the Longines World's Best Racehorse Rankings.
The team behind the champion
Winx was bred by Fairway Thoroughbreds and was foaled on 14 September 2011 at Coolmore Stud, Jerry’s Plains in the Hunter Region of New South Wales. Her sire was Irish-bred stallion Street Cry (1998–2014). Street Cry was a thoroughbred racehorse, winner of the 2002 Dubai World Cup, the 2002 Stephen Foster Handicap and was runner-up in the 2002 Whitney Handicap. Winx’s dam is Vegas Showgirl who was sired by Al Akbar. She won seven races from 35 race starts and was trained by Graeme Rogerson in New Zealand. Winx is owned in partnership by Magic Bloodstock (Manager, Peter Tighe), Debbie Kepitis and Richard Treweeke. She is trained by multiple premiership-winning Sydney trainer Chris Waller.
Winx has had six riders during her career: Hugh Bowman (her regular jockey) as well as Jason Collet, Tommy Berry, James McDonald and Larry Cassidy. The only rider not to have won on her is world champion Joao Moreira who was placed after his only ride on Winx.
As well as a first day cover, maxicard and sheetlet pack, this stamp issue will include a special 26-win stamp pack and a medallion cover, both of which can be preordered online or via mail order on 1800 331 794 from 20 August 2018. The medallion is a special “record breaker” design and the special pack includes photographs of each of Winx’s winning races in the stamp tabs.
The Winx commemorative stamp issue is available via mail order on 1800 331 794, and online on 20 August 2018, while stocks last. Participating Post Offices will have products available by 23 August 2018, while stocks last.
View the gallery and technical details from this issue
This article was produced at the time of publication and will not be updated.
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