What is it that makes Winx so special? Science has the answer

So Frankel is the best horse you have ever seen? Maybe set your alarm for 5.15am because Moonee Valley will be hosting Australia's embodiment of equine perfection in the small hours of Saturday.

You have heard of Winx. What you might not have heard is that research produced by Dr Graeme Putt, a retired University of Auckland physicist specialising in equine athletic performance, suggests Australia’s latest wondermare has a physical characteristic so freakish not even the ten-time Group 1 winner Frankel could match it.

The numbers are in and, as they say, they are big. Data on Winx’s stride length and frequency pulled by Dr Putt from her races this year put her stride length when travelling her fastest at 6.53m, while her frequency maxes-out at a simply staggering 2.7 strides per second, meaning she covers 17.63m a second when flat out.