Australian supermare Winx has been named as the world’s finest turf horse after finishing third in the Longines World’s Best Racehorse awards behind American dirt superstars Arrogate and California Chrome.
Chris Waller’s five-year-old charge is also the highest-rated filly/mare in the world, having won her last 13 races, dating back to May 2015.
At a glitzy ceremony at London’s exclusive Claridges Hotel, the two-time Cox Plate winner was given a rating of 132 with Breeders Cup Classic champion Arrogate topping the list with 134 ahead of California Chrome with 133.
The Bob Baffert-trained four-year-old’s thrilling victory over California Chrome at Santa Anita Park in November saw the Breeders Cup Classic named as the best race in the world, with an international network of handicappers awarding it a 125.25 rating.
The Cox Plate, won by a staggering eight lengths by Winx last October, finished joint second alongside Leopardstown’s Irish Champion Stakes with a rating of 124.75.
It is the second year in a row that an American runner has been named the world’s best.
The first US Triple Crown winner in 37 years, American Pharoah, also trained by Baffert, was also rated at 134 – the only US-based horse to be rated higher in the last two decades is Cigar, who finished 1996 at 135.
“It’s a huge thrill,” Waller told AAP.
“The majority of racing is done on turf and to be recognised as the best is quite special.
“Racing in the world now is on such a big stage now and we get to see everybody’s events and everyone gets to see Australia’s big events. Winx is starting to capture the world’s attention now.
“It’s a huge honour to win it.”