Back Yourself!
Sign-up and start betting with Ladbrokes in 2 minutes!
Back A Winner with Neds!
Sign-up and start betting with Neds in 2 minutes!
Daily Racing Specials!
Sign-up and bet with Australia's best new bookmaker!
#1 Ranked New Bookie
Sign-up and bet with Australia's #1 ranked new bookmaker!
Best Of The Best Odds!
Bet With Palmerbet and get Paid Top Fluc or Top Tote!
Massive Odds on All Races!
Sign-up and start betting with PlayUp in 2 minutes!
Imagine what you could be buying instead.
Set a deposit limit.
Search
 
Image: Steve Hart
Gust Of Wind was the last horse to beat Winx

John Sargent is almost infamous.

The trainer of the last horse to beat Winx in a race – Gust Of Wind in the 2015 Australian Oaks – his link to the champion has become somewhat of a claim to fame.

“It comes up now and then at parties and things,” Sargent said.

“People keep saying, ‘oh you’re the trainer that was the last one to beat Winx’.”

The fact that Winx was last beaten almost four years ago is testament not only to her remarkable 29-race winning streak, but her longevity in a sport that often retires its best horses before they have peaked on the racetrack.

Sargent has been training for 30 years and has followed racing for even longer.

It has taken him around the world and he has enjoyed success at the highest level in New Zealand, Malaysia and Australia.

He fondly recalls the world-class champions of yesteryear, including the famed American racehorse Secretariat, but he says none is better than Winx.

“In my younger days, I worked at Newmarket and saw Dancing Brave and Mill Reef and all those good ones,” Sargent said.

“I followed Secretariat, he went around America and won the Triple Crown and that was probably the last horse I thought was good.

“But no-one compares to Winx.”

Gust Of Wind was one of the unluckiest runners in the 2015 Melbourne Cup when Frankie Dettori on Max Dynamite caused interference in the straight and she finished sixth.

She has since become a broodmare and has a Snitzel colt at foot.

Sargent won’t saddle up a runner against Winx when she returns for her final campaign at Randwick on Saturday but he will have three horses competing at the meeting.

He is looking forward to watching the champion attempt to stretch her unbeaten sequence to 30 in the Apollo Stakes and, following the recent scandals that have rocked the industry, being reminded of the reasons racing can also be wonderful.

“The greatest advertising for racing is having a champion,” Sargent said.

And keeping his mantle as the trainer of the last horse to beat Winx won’t hurt either.

 
*Existing customers only. 2nd Racing bet. Excl SA & WA. T’s & C’s apply. Gamble responsibly.
Imagine what you could be buying instead.
Set a deposit limit.
Featured News

FREE BETS – Claim $1000’s in Bonus Bets at the TOP Betting Sites

We take a look at the BIGGEST and BEST Free Daily Racing Offers and Betting Promotions from Australia’s leading online...

Golden Slipper Likely Field – 2024

The biggest two-year-old race of the year will jump this Saturday in arguably one of the best fields in recent...

Former trainer handed a five-year ban for pulling stewards pants down

Former trainer Todd Balfour has been handed a five-year disqualification by Racing SA stewards after a misconduct incident at the...

Melbourne Cup champion Verry Elleegant passes away

Verry Elleegant, one of the great mares in the history of Australian racing, has died while giving birth to her...

Watch 📺 Jockey banned from all racing premises over ride

Jockey Dylan Kitts has been penalised with a disciplinary officer exclusion directive due to non-compliance with an inquiry regarding his...

Group 1 winner returns positive swab

Racing Victoria stewards are investigating a positive swab from Group 1-winning mare Prowess, the racehorse trained by Roger James and...

Alligator Blood injured, career in doubt

Cult galloper Alligator Blood may have run his last race, with trainers Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott confirming the star galloper had...

Nikita Beriman returns to the saddle

July 1, 2023 to January 26, 2024 … that period represents the just shy of seven months that Nikita Beriman...

Australia's Best Betting Sites

New Betting Sites Australia + Top List Bookmaker Apps $$$

Betting in Australia has never been more popular thanks to a large increase in new betting Agencies and Apps available...

Top 10 – Funniest Race Horse Names

Horse racing. Known as the ‘Sport Of Kings’, an industry worth billions, a very serious business…but to some, it’s a...

Best Horse Betting Sites in Australia

Best Horse Racing Betting Apps and Betting Sites – March 2024

We take a look at the best online betting apps to bet on horse racing in Australia for the month...

Golden Slipper

The Golden Slipper is one of the biggest and most prestigious horse races in Australia. Taking place each April at...

Australian Bookmaker Reviews – Online Bookie Ratings $$

Which bookmaker should you bet with? We Review each of the leading online Australian Bookmakers and rate them in order...

 
 
Imagine what you could be buying instead.
For free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au