First foal of Winx set to be sold, tipped to break records at Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale
The first foal from legendary racehorse Winx is expected to set an Australian record when she goes to auction at on Monday. And when she was woken for a 6am photo shoot, she let her feelings be known.
NSW
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It’s the biggest day of her life but it seems we nearly ruined it for her by getting her out of bed too early.
The first foal from legendary racehorse Winx is expected to set a new Australian record when she goes to auction at the Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale on Monday.
She’s been primped and pampered and even had her nails done (well, her hoofs polished) ready for the big day.
But when we woke her up for a 6am photo shoot, she made it clear she still needs her beauty sleep ahead of the big day.
Still, she even has a dedicated security guard called Oldrich Jiricka, who has spent his nights on high alert while keeping careful watch on her at Warwick Farm’s Inglis Riverside complex.
Her mother Winx won a world record 25 Group 1 races and was unbeaten in her last 33 race starts over a career that drew worldwide attention.
“It’s unique but it’s an honour to be guarding her,” Jiricka said.
And while she thought we were a bunch of canters for waking her up, Jiricka said she is a sweetheart when she’s had her beauty sleep.
“She is really nice, she is friendly, so it has been pleasant looking after her,” he said.
“Her mum was a champion racehorse, so that’s why I consider it an honour looking after her.
She is just like her mum, she has a great temperament and is a strong filly.”
While he’s spent the past five years working at the Inglis complex, including at every sale, he was also once a horse trainer himself.
Jiricka trained for over eight years at Hawkesbury before his career change brought him to this role.
“I have done every sale for the past five years and love working with horses,” Jiricka said.
“We start looking after the horses when everyone leaves and with her from 5pm and then are basically there for the 12 hours until 5am in the morning. It’s unusual to look after just one but not really weird because we do security for the complex during the sales but have never had to do one horse specifically.
“We make sure the horses are doing well, they don’t get sick overnight or cast.”
A crowd of more than 5000 people is expected at Warwick Farm on Monday to watch Lot 391 walk into the ring.
It’s anticipated a spirited bidding duel will see the yearling sold for a new Australian record for a filly – eclipsing the previous mark of $2.6 million.
Jiricka has been trying to guess what price she will bring.
“I’ve been asking people around the complex and everyone is making wild guesses,” he said. “I used to train horses but I am not a breeding expert and have been wrong a lot of times. I am sure she will break the record for the fillies.”
The final episode of News Corp’s three part special documentary Winx – The Next Generation will be released online on Tuesday, with all the behind the scenes drama of the sale of the mare’s first foal.
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