Australia’s 17-time Group 1 winner and the world’s co-highest rated horse, Winx (Aus) (Street Cry {Ire}), will not embark on an international campaign this year, trainer Chris Waller announced on Wednesday. The mare will race next in the G1 Queen Elizabeth S. at The Championships on Apr. 14.
“Following lengthy discussions between the owners, [jockey] Hugh Bowman and I, it has been decided that Winx will remain in Australia following the Queen Elizabeth S. and not embark on an international campaign,” Waller said. “It is our plan to continue to race her into the spring and hopefully Australia can play host to international visitors during our carnival. We are humbled by the level of support, respect and compassion that has been offered by the international representatives looking to attract Winx and congratulate each of them on the professionalism displayed towards us during this process.”
“As a group we have all held ambitions to travel horses internationally and it has been our dream to have a horse race in front of Her Majesty The Queen at Royal Ascot, however this decision is not about us and must be based on the best interests of Winx.”