Winx wants for nothing say owners as they parade on Cox Plate day

Four soft-top Mercedes paraded connections of the ultimate Rolls-Royce racehorse in front of the packed stands after race four on Cox Plate day at Moonee Valley.

For the last four years Winx has stolen the show on this afternoon, none more so than last year when she became the winningmost horse in the history of the weight-for-age contest.

However this year her owners were taking in a rather different experience, with each sportscar transporting a Cox Plate trophy and set of connections, including Hugh Bowman and his wife Christine, to the applause of racing fans.

The champion mare’s exploits are part of racing folklore in Australia and part-owner Peter Tighe is still reflecting on her amazing career. He is expecting to do so for quite some time.

Tighe, flanked by wife Patty, said: “We have the best memories of our life at this track and it was a very special day for us and horseracing fans around the world last year.

“We love coming to the races and even though our girl is not here it’s still great to come along and enjoy ourselves like everyone else.

“We get down to see Winx whenever we can at the farm and she’s enjoying life after racing. She wants for nothing and is very well looked after. All we want is for her to be well catered for and she’s doing a treat.

He added: “We’ll reflect on her career until we’re in the old people’s home! There’s plenty of memories and film clips to look at and we’re still mulling through everything and enjoying different aspects of it.

“It was very special for our family and something we’ll cherish for the rest of our lives.”

Winx: defeated Benbatl to land a record fourth Cox Plate last yearCredit: Vince Caligiuri (Getty Images)

Such is Winx’s popularity and value that her location is secret, besides it being in New South Wales, and fellow part-owner Debbie Kepitis believes the correct decision was made to retire Australia’s racing star following her 25th and final top-level success in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Randwick in April.

Kepitis said: “It’s lovely to come here and not have the pressure. Seeing the track and everything going on is something I can now take in.

“We miss Winx and always will and you always wonder whether she could have won the race for a fifth time, but I think we made the right call.

“She’s awesome and happy in the paddock, so fingers crossed we’ll have a little baby to look at next year.

“To see her go out on a huge winning note like she did at Randwick – there was no better satisfaction for an owner than that.”

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