Wonder horse Winx “has become public property” as she attempts to extend winning streak to nine

WINX’S owners are set to have 2000 caps made to hand out to fans at Randwick as Australian racing’s latest wonder horse tries to make it nine straight wins.

Winx ridden by Hugh Bowman wins race 5 during the races at Rosehill Gardens on Golden Slipper day. Pic Jenny Evans

WINX’S owners are set to have 2000 caps made to hand out to fans at Randwick on Saturday as Australian racing’s latest wonder horse tries to make it nine straight wins when she runs in the Doncaster Mile.

The caps will be given to the public as a gesture for their growing affection for the Australian Horse of the Year elect as the Australian Turf Club kicks off day one of The Championships.

Part-owner Peter Tighe, in whose Magic Bloodstock colours the mare races, said it was starting to dawn on he and wife Patty what it was like to have a horse adored by the public.

“The nervousness before a race is more heightened now. Not in a bad way. The nerves are there because the expectations are high,” Tighe said.

“Then when she does what she does, it’s absolute relief and exhilaration at the same time.

“People ring me with stories all the time. A mate of mine was at the pub when she won the George Ryder and he said everyone in the bar started applauding from the time she came around the home corner.

“I led her in for the first time after that race and coming back there were people I had never met who had tears in their eyes.

“She becomes public property and I would love to keep the streak going so it stays that way.”

The Tighes have had a winning run that most people could only dream about, as they also share in the ownership of four-times Group 1 winner Preferment.

Winx, ridden by Hugh Bowman, takes out the Group 1 George Ryder Stakes. Picture: Jenny Evans

Together, the pair have won $8 million.

Tighe laughs that it took him 20 years to win his first Group 1 race and he has now shared in nine over the past 16 months.

“I can’t put into words what’s happening. I waited 20 years and always wondered what it would be like to win races like this,” he said.

“Before these two, the biggest highlight was Make Mine Magic running fourth in the Stradbroke.

“You just can’t buy what’s happening. I’m in awe of the whole thing.”

Tighe said it was never a consideration to “protect” Winx and hence she was being afforded the chance to win the Doncaster under less favourable weight conditions than her recent weight-for-age wins.

“Every time she races, there’s the element of luck. What happens if she gets caught three wide?” he said.

“I have confidence in her ability to take on all comers under these (weight) conditions and I have confidence in the ability of Chris Waller and Hugh Bowman. They are the greatest combination in racing and the pair of them are geniuses.”

Hugh Bowman pats Australia’s latest thoroughbred superstar. Picture: Jenny Evans

Originally published as Wonder horse Winx “has become public property” as she attempts to extend winning streak to nine