Winx finally becomes world's best alongside Cracksman as Australia stands tall

Cracksman and Winx were on Wednesday acclaimed the top Flat horses on Earth as they shared top billing at the Longines World’s Best Racehorse ceremony in London.

At an event that revealed Australia last year had more of racing’s best contests than anywhere else, Winx, the country’s equine sweetheart, was confirmed the highest-rated racehorse in the world alongside Cracksman on an official mark of 130.

As Winx and Cracksman had been tied when the final interim standings were unveiled in November it came as no surprise that two champions who have never been less than 10,000 miles apart were deemed inseparable by a panel of international handicappers.

More unexpected to some was that in 2018 Australia had 31 of the world's top 103 races, more than any other country. Britain had 19, France six and Ireland just two. Racing Post handicapper Sam Walker argued Australia's domination of the list represented "a wild deviation from reality".

One reason for Australia's elevation was the mighty Winx, who finished third and then second in the 2016 and 2017 rankings but this time made it to a share of number one, her finest performance on the official figures having been an easy success in April's Queen Elizabeth Stakes.

Cracksman, whose peak effort was recorded on his favoured soft ground in the Qipco Champion Stakes, is now retired, as will be Breeders' Cup Classic hero Accelerate following Saturday's Pegasus World Cup.

Winx, however, could seek to extend her astonishing 29-race winning streak to 33, with four more races being considered, culminating in a return to Randwick and the Queen Elizabeth in April.

Trainer Chris Waller dashed in and out of Britain to see the global coronation of Winx, who in October became the only horse ever to win four Cox Plates.

"The greatest thing about her is her longevity, without a doubt," said Waller. "It has been longevity over so many seasons, so many distances and on so many track surfaces. That's due to there being a great team behind me and Winx having owners who put me under no pressure.

"In our eyes she's every bit as good as she ever has been and there's nothing to suggest she's slowing down. We didn't expect to be at this high level for so long. It just doesn't happen. We're simply letting her tell us where this journey may end.

"There's a stronger chance than ever before this preparation will be her last but we only take one race at a time, which is what we're going to do again. Everything will be carefully considered as to when Winx is going to become a mum."

Cracksman will soon set out on the job of becoming a father – and his jockey Frankie Dettori is looking forward to riding the sons and daughters of Anthony Oppenheimer's star, whose former John Gosden-trained stable companion Enable finished equal eighth in the rankings on 125.

Watch Cracksman win the Champion Stakes

"I'm privileged to have ridden such a great horse as Cracksman," said Dettori. "In my 31-year career he was probably the horse with the biggest stride. He achieved so much and his two Champion Stakes performances were tremendous. He truly deserves to be the joint top horse in the world. Hopefully I can stay around and ride some of his progeny."

Dettori will no doubt be hoping to take more big rides in Australia, whose product was praised by Waller and Winx's co-owner Peter Tighe.

"We have a very strong breeding history and race 52 weeks a year on reasonably good tracks," said Waller. "That puts us right there with any racing jurisdiction in terms of what we can produce week in, week out.

"Our prize-money drives investment from breeders and we breed over 17,000 horses a year, which is similar to Britain and Ireland combined. Australia is certainly holding its own."

Tighe added: "People around the world tell us if Australian racing isn't the best in the world it's a case of finding one that is Australia's equal. Australia is open to anyone who wants to bring their horses and take advantage of the huge prize-money and the pot of gold. Having 31 races in that list tells you our racing is that good."

Tighe also admitted signing off at Randwick on April 14 would be "the fairytale" for Winx, who is due to reappear in the Apollo Stakes on February 16.

"To us she'll always be that super special horse," said Tighe.

"It's a great story that gets greater and greater. This is recognition for the deeds she has done. We're just humbled to receive the award on her behalf. We don't take it lightly and it will be well treasured. We'll look back on this day very memorably for the rest of our lives."

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