Winx owners accept Secretariat Award in the US.
Image: Racing.com
By James Tzaferis
Debbie Kepitis and Peter Tighe have accepted the 2018 Secretariat Vox Populi Award in the United States overnight after their champion Winx was voted the world’s most popular racehorse last year.
Fans from more than 60 countries voted online in the annual award, which was first established by Secretariat’s owner Penny Chenery to recognise horses whose popularity and racing excellence resounded with the general public.
Winx was undefeated in seven starts in 2018, including her record-breaking fourth Cox Plate victory at The Valley in October.
Kepitis said it was honour for the mare to be recognised by racing fans outside of her native Australia.
“For a horse from out of America to win an award here, it’s very special and it’s not lost on us,” Kepitis told TVG.
“She’s an amazing equine athlete and we are just fortunate to be watching and to be part of this phenomenal magic carpet.”
Chris Waller’s champion mare galloped under Hugh Bowman on Saturday morning ahead of her return to the trials at Rosehill on Tuesday.
This article first appeared on Racing.com and is reprinted here with their kind permission. To find out more about Racing Victoria’s Off the Track program, visit rv.racing.com/the-horse/off-the-track.
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