Silence the doubters and celebrate a champion in Winx

It is time for the amazing Winx to be given a little more respect this side of the pond. To hear the ITV presenter on The Opening Show last Saturday, Rishi Persad, reduce the great horses achieve­ments as “time trials” was pathetic, especially after her fourth Cox Plate victory. Matt Chapman deservedly got short shrift from Debbie Kepitis, one of the owners of Winx, for recently knocking the mare’s reputation when he went down on his knees to kiss her feet after the race.

Winx will go into the history books as one of the most amazing racehorses ever. She has been scientifically analysed in great depth and a comparison of her stride length and sectional timings with those of Frankel concluded he would have had to have been at his blistering best to outgun her. She raises her game for every occasion and race situation and, as her trainer has stated, thrives on pressure and a fast pace.

It’s time for the knockers to stop. She has maintained her undefeated form over four years on fast, good and soft surfaces – they all come alike to her, while the same cannot be said of a multitude of European Classic and Group 1 winners, some of whose credentials have been cited as superior.