Black Caviar and Winx to be elevated to Legend status in Australian Racing Hall of Fame
The mighty mares were both freakish champions and trying to determine who is the best is the subject of robust debate.
There is a school of thought that comparing champions of different eras is a futile exercise but racing – and other sports – is built on comparisons.
We all like to consider how Phar Lap would have gone against today's champions. Or, who is the best racehorse, Secretariat or Frankel?
It's the same in other sports. In cricket, we are forever comparing the records of modern day batters like Steve Smith to the legendary Sir Donald Bradman.
In rugby league, is Wally Lewis better than Andrew Johns? Is Reg Gasnier or John Raper the best of them all?
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It's the same with AFL. There's plenty in Leigh Matthews' corner, Gary Ablett Senior is in the conversation, as are Ted Whitten, John Coleman and Tony Lockett.
There are always comparisons between Michael Jordan or LeBron James as the best basketballer, and does any boxer challenge Muhammad Ali as the greatest of all-time?
In tennis, there is ongoing debate about the best player of the modern era – Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal or Novak Djokovic? And how do they rate against the only man to win the Grand Slam twice, Rod Laver?
The point is comparing champion racehorses is like debating the greats of other sports – it's a fun exercise and we all do it.
But when analysing the race careers of Winx and Black Caviar, how do you split them?
This was the dilemma facing the Australian Racing Hall of Fame selection committee when determining which of these two mares would be elevated to 'Legend' status at the Hall of Fame-Racehorse of the Year awards in Brisbane on August 31.
There are only three racehorses elevated to the Legend category so far – Phar Lap, Carbine and Makybe Diva – and it is the most elite honour in Australian racing.
Winx and Black Caviar are both deserving of 'Legend'' status, it was just a matter of when.
And trying to decide who would go in first was like asking which mare would win if they clashed over 1400m at weight-for-age?
In the end, the selection panel simply couldn't split them and made the unprecedented but sensible call to elevate both Winx and Black Caviar to 'Legend' status the same year.
'It is fitting Black Caviar and Winx are going in as a 'Legend' together,'' said Peter Moody, trainer of Black Caviar.
'They are both great mares and it was only a matter of time, with all due respect, they were both going to get that honour and very deservedly so.''
Perfection! ðŸ'¯
Do yourself a favour & watch Black Caviar's 25 wins from 25 starts �
Which victory was your favourite? pic.twitter.com/ejIuDyuXEj
— Racing.com (@Racing) August 17, 2024
•
Hall of Fame chairman Jason Scott echoed the sentiments of the entire selection panel when he said: 'Debate has raged for years over which of the two champion mares is the greatest we've seen, however what is certain is that their legacies transcend far beyond the boundaries of racing.
'It's deserving that they both be bestowed 'Legend' status in the Australian Racing Hall of Fame together, befitting of their stature as two of the best we have and will ever have the (good) fortune to see'.
Winx won 37 of her 43 races, including her last 33 races in succession, featuring a world record 25 at Group 1 level. She was so good they made a movie about her.
'I always admired Winx's determination and the uncomplicated way she went about her work and racing,'' Waller said. 'She didn't require any extra fuss.
'She was a high performance athlete with an amazing amount of talent, and she captured the imagination.
'When I talk to people about Winx, there's nothing but ultimate respect for her. It is fitting she has been elevated to 'Legend' status.''
"IT'S EQUINE UTOPIA!"
It wouldn't be Cox Plate week without the four-time champion Winx - the most successful Cox Plate horse in history 🙌
If you're looking for more Cox Plate replays, you can head to https://t.co/Ga3GHuaAKJ 's Vault to watch them ðŸ'‰ https://t.co/rnwadynQhP pic.twitter.com/MnNVRdF6zU
— Racing.com (@Racing) October 24, 2024
Black Caviar was simply unbeatable. 25 starts, 25 wins, 15 at Group 1 level. Surely there has never been a better sprinter than this magnificent mare.
She won most of her races effortlessly, running fast times and breaking the hearts of her chasing rivals. Even when she wasn't at her absolute best, like the 2012 Diamond Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot, they still couldn't beat her.
'Black Caviar changed my life,'' Moody said. 'Every day, I still think about her and then when Royal Ascot comes each year around you relive those great memories again. She was a once-in-a-lifetime horse.''
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