After breaking almost every record in the racebook, the great mare Winx has now settled on her new life: a date with leading sire I Am Invincible at Yarraman Park.
There had been worldwide speculation about who Winx might be joined to for her first foal, and now it's been decided.
Yarraman Park, in the Hunter Valley has been owned by the Mitchell family since 1968 and is managed by brothers Arthur and Harry Mitchell. It describes itself as "one of Australia's leading vendors both of yearlings and broodmares and is regularly in the top six of the yearling sale averages".
And now it has the world's best racehorse on its books - Winx.
The Chris Waller-trained Winx finished her incredible career in April by taking out the Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Randwick before a massive crowd, including the Prime Minister (ScoMo). She was rated the best racehorse in the world by Longines at the time. Her mammoth list of records includes 33 straight wins, a world record 25 group 1 victories, career earnings of $26,451,175 in prize money (highest ever in Australia), and she is the only horse to win four Cox Plates.
Her owners Peter and Patty Tighe (Magic Bloodstock), Richard Treweeke and Debbie Kepitis spent months considering their options, and finally settled on I Am Invincible, Australia's most expensive sire, who stands at a fee of $247,500.
"As owners, we have utilised and considered the expert advice of bloodstock professionals both domestically and internationally," a media release from the ownership team said.
"We have sought the opinions of various pedigree consultants, bloodstock agents and stud managers.
"They provided us with the foundation of information to assess and use to compile the short list of stallions for consideration.
"This 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."
Yarraman Park said in a release that "I Am Invincible made history earlier this year when becoming the most successful sire of Australian stakes-winners in a season with 28 to his credit highlighted by Group I winners Oohood, Voodoo Lad, Viddora and Invincibella, who is prepared by Winx's trainer Chris Waller.
"The Yarraman Park team are delighted with having our sire I Am Invincible chosen to partner Winx."
Yarraman Park tweeted - ''all at Yarraman Park are absolutely chuffed with the news that Winx will visit I Am Invincible for the 2019 breeding season, very exciting times ahead for the farm!"
John Ellicott
journalist and author
journalist and author
