The Four Legged Australian of the Year!

By Lan KB

It has been an exceptional day for champion thoroughbred Winx as the galloping speedster won two major accolades in quick succession.

First, Australia’s wonder mare was named as the equal World’s Best Racehorse – an honour which had eluded her until now. Winx shares the title with English star Cracksman for 2018, on a rating of 130.

But even more interestingly, she was then named by a prominent Australian newspaper as – wait for it – the “Australian of the Year”.

Nope this is not an official award, nor is the mare the official Australian of the Year!

The Daily felt that in the race to find an Australian role model that has demonstrated hard work, grit and honesty in the last year, the only one in the running was Winx.

“Has the nominee lived by the Australian values of fair play and civility?” the paper asked, beginning a long list of requisite qualities to earn the title.

The Sydney paper said the horse — which has won dozens of races and is expected to soon retire — was the only Australian that met the winning criteria.

The honour was not “bestowed lightly,” the paper said.

Winx has been unbeaten for more than three years, winning 29 consecutive races, 22 of them at group 1 level.

The official eight 2019 nominees for the prestigious award are all human — including Richard Harris, who worked to rescue 12 Thai kids trapped in a cave, multiple medal winning Paralympian Kurt Fearnley and social activist Bernadette Black.

Also read:

Ultimate accolade: Winx named best horse in the world

Good neigh, mate! Winx the horse named ‘Australian of the year’