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Invincible Winx: Champion mare set for motherhood

It’s an equine match made in heaven. After weeks of speculation a sire has been chosen for the greatest racehorse of the modern era.

Ray Thomas
2 min read
June 24, 2019 - 1:53PM
Winx leaves Waller's stable of last time

She is glamorous and admired around the world, he’s the muscular, handsome suitor and their relationship is no longer a secret.

But this isn’t a Hollywood romance or some famous celebrity couple — it’s an equine match made in heaven.

After weeks of speculation, it was confirmed that mighty mare Winx, the greatest racehorse of the modern era, will be mated with champion sire I Am Invincible this spring breeding season.

In a statement released by the Winx ownership group of Peter and Patty Tighe (Magic Bloodstock), Richard Treweeke and Debbie Kepitis, it was revealed they sought the “expert advice of bloodstock professionals both domestically and internationally” before selecting I Am Invincible from Yarraman Park Stud to cover their mare this spring.

Winx and Hugh Bowman at Royal Randwick — the scene of some of their greatest triumphs.
Winx and Hugh Bowman at Royal Randwick — the scene of some of their greatest triumphs.

“The process highlighted the extreme depth to the stallion ranks in Australia and across the world, however when considering the options of travelling overseas her welfare remained of the highest priority and we decided she would remain in Australia for her first breeding season,’’ the statement read.

Winx, who was rated the world’s best racehorse last year, was retired after winning the Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Royal Randwick on Day Two of The Championships in April.

The Chris Waller-trained Winx was unbeatable for nearly four years, ending her race career with a 33rd consecutive win and a world record 25th at Group 1 level.

She competed in a total of 43 races, winning 37 and amassing $26,451,175 prizemoney to become the highest stakes earner in world racing.

But it is not a given that champion racemares become successful broodmares.

There are 12 queens of the turf so far inducted into the Australian Racing Hall of Fame, Wakeful, Flight, Tranquil Star, Wenona Girl, Briseis, Leilani, Light Fingers, Sunline, Makybe Diva, Black Caviar and Winx. Of this elite group, only Wakeful and Let’s Elope have produced Group race winners.

Life away from the racetrack: Winx having a run at her new home.
Life away from the racetrack: Winx having a run at her new home.

But Winx will get every opportunity to be a success in her new career and her mating with I Am Invincible this spring is understandable.

I Am Invincible has had a record-breaking year as the most successful sire of Australian stakeswinners in history in the 2018-19 season.

The Yarraman Park super stallion has sired 28 individual stakeswinners this season including Invincibella, winner of the Group 1 Tatt’s Tiara at Eagle Farm last Saturday.

He has sired 170 individual winners of 274 races to lead both categories in the national stallions premierships for 2018-19. His progeny has so far earned $18,687,473 to be second only to Snitzel ($23,230,010) this season.

I Am Invincible, who has also sired Group 1 winners Brazen Beau, Viddora, I Am A Star, Oohood, Hellbent, Voodoo Lad and Media Sensation, will stand at a nation-high service fee of $247,500 this spring.

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Original URL: https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/superracing/winx-set-to-become-a-mum/news-story/e60df36a5e4eabb0a413a3d7f249f358