WINX: The Authorised Biography

Description

Winx joins Phar Lap and Bradman in the history books: a national sporting idol and the world's best racehorse. 4 COX PLATE VICTORIES The only horse in history 29 CONSECUTIVE WINS Australian record holder 22 GROUP 1 WINS World record holder 'A deft writer with a sense of humour. It's Rule's access to the Winx camp that adds the X-factor.' Stephen Romei, The Australian 'Superb' Max Presnell, The Sydney Morning Herald 'She just exploded,' Bowman recalls of that moment, the wonder not dimmed by time and retelling. 'She put the race to sleep in three strides. It was like a fairy tale. A star was born that day.' She wins that first Cox Plate by nearly five lengths, running away. The performance makes her name. A win with X factor. Australia's world champion racehorse Winx has become a sporting giant, transcending racing in the same way that Muhammad Ali transcends boxing and Bradman transcends cricket. She is described by her trainer, Chris Waller, as a supreme athlete -- a world-class sprinter with a freakish ability to dominate longer distances 'like Usain Bolt running in 1500-metre races'. She is the Phar Lap of the modern age, and one of the greatest racehorses in 300 years of thoroughbred racing. In Winx: The Authorised Biography, Andrew Rule, her owners, her breeder, her trainer and her rider tell the real stories behind the world's greatest racehorse. 'One of the most remarkable and enjoyable sporting stories in my lifetime.' From the Foreword by Bruce McAvaney 'I am proud and humbled to work with Andrew Rule and Allen & Unwin on this important book that details the life of a very special horse.' Chris Waller, Trainer 'Peter, Patty, Richard and I are thrilled to have Winx's story honoured in this book about her incredible record. Winx has performed amazingly and we are excited to work with Allen & Unwin, and for everyone to read her story.' Debbie Kepitis, Co-owner

Andrew Rule is a reporter who can find the story behind the story and then write it using the techniques of a novelist. He is known for writing on crime and its detection but has also covered big sporting events -- such as the London Olympics -- and major international disasters such as the Christchurch earthquake and Japan's tsunami. He has worked for three major daily newspapers and a national magazine and is currently an Associate Editor of the Herald Sun in Melbourne. He grew up with horses, has worked in stables and has had a lifelong weakness for racing. He claims to be the only Australian Journalist of the Year to have ridden a winner of a horse race.