Australia Post has designed a special stamp to mark the record-breaking 26th consecutive race win by Australian mare Winx, run on 18 August 2018.
The race, previously known as the Warwick Stakes, in 2017 was renamed the Winx Stakes in honour of the champion mare. The item features a photograph of Winx in full flight during the 2015 Cox Plate; the first of her three successive Cox Plate wins. Winx is being ridden her regular jockey Hugh Bowman.
Commenting on the stamp release Australia Post Philatelic Manager, Michael Zsolt said: It is a fitting tribute to such a significant sporting achievement and amazing racehorse. The beautiful artwork on the stamp, and what it represents, will no doubt appeal to horse racing enthusiasts and collectors alike.
Jockey Hugh Bowman said the commemoration of Winx on an Australian stamp means a great deal to him and all involved with the champion mare. “She’s really become an Australian icon who’ll be remembered for generations. For her to be commemorated in this manner is a great honour and a very worthy distinction,” he said.
Winx established several milestones in winning the race. She set an Australasian record by extending her winning streak to 26, bypassing Black Caviar who won 25 races in an undefeated career. Winx became the first mare to win three renewals of the Warwick/Winx Stakes, and only the third horse overall (Kingston Town and Limerick being the others). She also extended her world record to 19 Group 1 wins, while becoming the first seven-year-old mare to win a Group 1 since Makybe Diva.
On 17 May 2017, it was announced that Winx would be inducted into the Australian Racing Hall of Fame, becoming only the third horse (after Sunline and Black Caviar) to be so honoured while still in training.