Australian turf legend Winx has won the Queen Elizabeth Stakes in front of a sell-out crowd for the champion mare’s swan song race.
Taking her streak to 33 wins, Winx strolled away to beat Japanese runner Kluger and Hartnell in the $4 million Queen Elizabeth Stakes that she has now won for the past three years.
She leaves racing rated one of the greatest horses of the turf and 40,000 fans packed Randwick to see her for the last time.
Asked how he felt, jockey Hugh Bowman said: “It’s over, isn’t it?
“It has been very surreal for me all day with the amount of people here, it is just amazing.
“Everyone watching around the world.
“America, Europe. Africa. All over Australia. This horse has captured the hearts of a lot of people around the globe. There is really nothing more for me to say.”
Bowman settled Winx in sixth place in the nine-horse field and he made his run on her at the 600m.
Winx joined in as the widest runner and as she so often does, ambled to the front at the 200m.
Kluger tried to take the race to Winx but like so many horses before him, he was no match when it mattered.
Adding to the moment, Winx became the 100th Group One winner for her trainer Chris Waller
“I can’t describe her in words. But thanks for appreciating her for what she is,” Waller said.
Winx will bow out after 43 starts that delivered 37 wins, including 25 at Group One level.
She also finishes her career with world record earnings of more than $26.3 million.
Sent out a prohibitive favourite at $1.06, Winx had 1-1/2 lengths in hand over Kluger ($51) with Hartnell ($26) another 2-1/2 lengths away in the minor placing.
