Hall of Fame jockey Hugh Bowman had a humorous anecdote when interviewed during the new Winx Stand official opening on Thursday. It is understood Cummins teammates came up with the name because as a bowler he is “very fast” and “close to perfection” both on and off the cricket field, just like the champion mare was during her unprecedented streak of 33 consecutive wins to close out her race career. Waller wasn’t aware that Australia’s new Test cricket captain, Pat Cummins, goes by the nickname of “Winx”.
“He was a very good horse, Happy Clapper, and it’s outstanding he has been honoured in this way,” Waller said.įan favourite Happy Clapper has had a bar in the new Winx Stand named after him. Happy Clapper is a three-time Group 1 winner but he was no match for the mighty Winx, finishing second to her in five feature races. The new Winx Stand at Randwick has been named in honour of his great mare while there is a magnificent statue of Winx situated just inside the entrance to Rosehill racecourse.īut Waller also made mention of what he called an “outstanding” decision to have a “Happy Clapper Bar” in the new Winx Stand. Sydney’s leading trainer Chris Waller will have constant reminders of his champion mare Winx every time he goes to “work” at Royal Randwick or Rosehill Gardens. Waller said simply of the new Winx Stand: “It is the ultimate accolade because it is here forever.” RACING CONFIDENTIAL: HAPPY CLAPPER ALSO HONOURED The most pleasing aspect is the Winx Stand is exclusively for the public,” Balding said. We now need to accommodate them in world-class facilities. Russell Balding, the Racing NSW chairman, said the Winx Stand has the design capability for an additional two fully-enclosed levels which will double the 7500 person capacity. “Winx was the people’s champion and now the people and especially general admission customers have a stand named forever in her honour,” McGrath said. Let hope, for her sake, she can have the foal in spring time next year.”ĪTC chairman Matt McGrath revealed the new Winx Stand is expected to generate more than $150 million in annual economic benefit to NSW and create 450 jobs. “Knowing Winx, she will carry that foal as well as she can. “Fingers crossed, next year we will have a lovely Pierro foal,” she said. The new Winx Stand is exclusively for the public. Kepitis said Winx was given the time to recover from her ordeal before being served by Pierro a few weeks ago. After having a complication-free 11-month pregnancy, Winx was slightly overdue when she went into labour only for her filly foal to be stillborn last year. Sydney’s super mare was then sent to stud and served by I Am Invincible. She earned more than $26.4 million prizemoney, also a world record. Winx ran her final race in the 2019 Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Royal Randwick, scoring her 33rd win in succession including a world record 25 at Group 1 level. “We get regular video updates about Winx’s progress, she looks a million bucks and is loving her life.” “The team at the farm are more than happy with how everything is going.
“Winx is in foal, so far, so good,” Tighe said. The owners provided cause for dual celebration when they confirmed Winx is pregnant to champion sire Pierro with the foal due next spring breeding season. Team Winx comprising trainer Chris Waller, jockey Hugh Bowman and owners Debbie Kepitis, Peter and Patty Tighe, and Elizabeth Treweeke who represented her late father, Richard Treweeke, were special guests of the Australian Turf Club at the new stand’s opening ceremony.įormer champion mare Winx was confirmed in foal to Pierro. The $46.6 million Winx Stand with capacity for 7500 race fans is the latest monument to the mighty mare regarded by many as the greatest racehorse of all time.
On the same day Winx was confirmed in foal, a new public grandstand named in her honour was officially opened at Royal Randwick on Thursday.