Written by Paul Vettise
Words can certainly tend to be on the inadequate side when it comes to Winx (Street Cry {IRE}). They fall woefully short of doing the great mare justice in the wake of another majestic performance to lift her fourth consecutive G1 Cox Plate.
Shy of renaming the Moonee Valley championship the Winx Plate, it’s perhaps best just to treat and revel in what she is – a freak of nature. Her effort will undoubtedly raise the question of best ever, but comparisons are both futile and unfair.
The only view the competition got of Winx down the straight of Moonee Valley
They’ve all been great in their era. In this part of the world, Black Caviar (Bel Esprit) will certainly be to the fore in racing circle discussions/arguments. In her court is an unbeaten record, including success overseas, but neither party deserves any comparison. Both unique, both breath-taking, both stand alone.
From an international perspective, the 10-time Group 1 winner Frankel (GB) (Galileo {IRE}) was another undefeated wonder galloper, as were the Italian-based pair of Nearco (ITY) (Pharos {GB) and Ribot (GB) (Tenerani {ITY}.
Tesio champions
Never beaten and both products of the Italian master Federico Tesio, one of the greatest thoroughbred minds.
Ribot was undefeated in 16 races, including the G1 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, while Nearco had the perfect record after 14 outings and won the G1 Grand Prix de Paris.
Watch: A tribute to the great Nearco
And what of Kinscem (HGR )(Cambuscan {GB}), never headed in 54 outings. Over four seasons, she beat both sexes in England, France, Germany, Austria and in her native Hungary. As a 5-year-old, she won all 12 starts under an average 69.5kg.
There are countless others – the likes of Nijinsky (CAN) (Northern Dancer {USA}), Sir Ivor (USA) (Sir Gaylord {USA}), Secretariat (USA) (Bold Ruler {USA}), Man O’War (USA) (Fair Play {USA}), Brigadier Gerard (GB) (Queens Hussar {GB}) and Zenyatta (USA) (Street Cry {IRE}).
Australasian greats
Closer to home, and in no particular order, Phar Lap (NZ) (Night Raid {GB}), Sunline (NZ) (Desert Sun {GB}), Kingston Town (Bletchingly), Makybe Diva (GB) (Desert King {IRE}) and Northerly (Serheed {USA})… the list is endless.
They’ve all pushed racing’s boundaries in their decorated careers and been idolised in their times.
So where does Winx sit in all this? Everyone will have an opinion, but let’s just forget comparisons and celebrate them all for what they are - supremely talented athletes so blessed by the racing gods.
Winx is another in the line of thoroughbred history-makers, let’s just savour another all-time great.
