Superstar racehorse Winx is bringing extra 20 to 30 per cent more people to races
The racing industry pumps $3.5 billion into the NSW economy and that figure has been boosted by one of the most iconic horses based in Sydney. The “Winx effect” has the ability to pull in huge crowds and attract global attention.
NSW
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In racing they call it “the Winx effect” — the ability to pull in a crowd and attract global attention like a rock star.
The racing industry pumps $3.5 billion into the NSW economy and that figure has been boosted by having the Longines World’s Best Racehorse based and racing in Sydney.
“Winx is easily one of our biggest attractions in racing at the moment,” Minister for Racing Paul Toole said.
“You would have to think with the number of people who attend these race meets, take public transport or taxis, and flock to our bars and restaurants afterward, that the boost to the economy would be in the hundreds of thousands,” he said.
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Winx is starting her final race campaign in the $250,000 Group 2 Apollo Stakes at Royal Randwick on Saturday and is aiming for an incredible 30th consecutive win.
Conservative estimates put the crowd at 10,000 but ticketing data shows that on days when Winx is racing numbers increase by 25 to 30 per cent.
“Winx has really captured the imagination of the country,” Mr Toole said.
“All you need to do is watch the crowds as they descend at a track to see her race, to see what affect she has on the industry.”
The mighty mare’s victory in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes last year to equal Black Caviar’s winning streak sent ratings for Sky Racing through the roof. Her appearance for the first day of her autumn campaign last year, The Chipping Norton Stakes Day, pushed viewing up by 42 per cent over the previous year.
But Mr Toole said: “There is nothing quite like being there and seeing her sprint to victory.”
Royal Randwick will be a sea of blue and white — Winx’s trademark colours — as she begins her final four race campaign that is aimed to end with the Queen Elizabeth Stakes in April.
Crowds are expected to increase as people flock to witness the closing moments of the career of a world sporting great. Winx has been compared to Australian sporting greats such as Rod Laver and Ian Thorpe and people want to see her in the flesh.
Australian Turf Club Chief Executive Jamie Barkley said: “Winx is a once in a lifetime sporting athlete and hero in the same way as a Don Bradman or Cathy Freeman.
“Sydney gets its final chance this Autumn to witness live on track this remarkable horse whose story will be told and remembered for generations.”
But he warned racegoers not to take the chance to see history being made for granted. “Every start is now potentially her last so fans can’t miss any opportunity to be on track to cheer on Winx,” he said.
Originally published as Superstar racehorse Winx is bringing extra 20 to 30 per cent more people to races
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