Winx Voted 2018 Secretariat Vox Populi Award Winner

Horse racing's fans have spoken, and Winx, Australia's queen of racing, has been voted the winner of the 2018 Secretariat Vox Populi Award in the year-end online poll.

Created by Secretariat's owner, Penny Chenery, the award annually recognizes the horse whose popularity and racing excellence best resounded with the general public and gained recognition for Thoroughbred racing.

Winx was the top choice among U.S. voters as well as international fans representing a record 60 countries. The 7-year-old bay mare has garnered the devotion of turf enthusiasts Down Under as well as the attention of a worldwide legion of fans with her impressive 29 consecutive wins. In 2018, her historic fourth straight victory in Australia's prestigious Cox Plate (G1), along with a perfect 7-for-7 record, extended her ongoing streak and added to her current career earnings of more than US$17 million.

The custom-made Vox Populi trophy will be presented to the Winx connections Jan. 12, 2019, at Santa Anita Park. In conjunction with the presentation, a variety of festivities will be offered to the public, including a special Vox Populi poster giveaway, autograph signing, and silent auction.

Winx's rise to stardom is reminiscent of that of Zenyatta, the 2010 Vox Populi winner whose own winning streak also inspired a large fan base. Additionally, the two regal race mares were sired by the revered Street Cry and share the distinction of being the only females to be honored as award recipients.

"Racing certainly offered many historical and heartwarming stories in 2018," said Kate Chenery Tweedy. "And, once again, the 'Voice of the People' spoke very clearly. The fact that both the American public and voters abroad were not limited by international borders is a wonderful testament to the growth of the award and the winner's global appeal. Winx represents everything Mom envisioned when she created this award and reaffirms her notion that a beloved horse will captivate fans and draw interest to the sport no matter where they race." 

Trained by Chris Waller and ridden by jockey Hugh Bowman, Winx is owned by Magic Bloodstock Racing, Debbie Kepitis, and Richard Treweeke. 

Winx was one of a select group of nominees submitted by the Vox Populi Committee and presented to thousands of voters worldwide who spoke as the "Voice of the People."

This year's nominees included Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) winner Accelerate , European distaff sensation Enable, Triple Crown winner Justify , and Longines Kentucky Oaks (G1) winner Monomoy Girl. Voters also had the option to write in their own favorites. 

Other Vox Populi Award winners are Ben's Cat (2017), California Chrome  (2016 and 2014), American Pharoah  (2015), Mucho Macho Man  (2013), Paynter  (2012), Rapid Redux (2011), and Zenyatta (inaugural 2010).