Cover image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
Five years after her retirement, Winx (Street Cry {Ire}) is set to steal the spotlight once again with the premiere of her film, ‘A Horse Named Winx’.
The film debuts on Friday, June 7, with a special World Premiere gala screening, followed by an encore on Sunday, June 9, at the historic Ritz Cinema in Randwick, fittingly just up the road from the racecourse where the legendary mare claimed 13 Group 1 victories.
A winner of 37 races and over $26 million in prize money, Winx captured the attention of many, solidifying existing fans' love for the sport and drawing in new enthusiasts. Award-winning director Janine Hosking, along with Winx biographer Andrew Rule, crafted the cinematic journey to reveal the story of a champion facing her greatest challenges. With unprecedented access to Winx and the team that made her a legend, the film promises an intimate look at the mare’s incredible story.
Andrew Rule
“I was looking for a film that would make an audience feel good and work on a big screen, and this was the perfect idea,” said director Janine Hosking. “The primary objective was for Winx fans to see her in her glory, up on the big screen. I thought, we know what the public sees, but what’s the story behind the scenes?”
Untold stories
The film uncovers the never-before-told stories of Winx with prominent appearances by trainer Chris Waller, jockey Hugh Bowman, and Coolmore’s Tom Magnier. “It was really a couple of years after her last race that I was able to approach the owners and Chris Waller about creating this story. By this time, they’d had time to reflect on her career and convey what she means to them,” Hosking explained.
“We went through hundreds of hours of archival footage. It’s amazing how accurately people like Hugh Bowman and Chris Waller can remember every race. It’s the emotion connected to it that’s really captivating. She transcended racing, drawing people who didn’t usually go to the races just to see her.”
“There was a lot of pressure in getting her to do what she did, so I thought there has to be a story there,” Hosking continued. “As each race went on, the pressure increased. That really intrigued me. Every race tells a story, whether it's the horse that comes second or third or the jockey that tried to beat Winx.
“We went through hundreds of hours of archival footage. It’s amazing how accurately people like Hugh Bowman and Chris Waller can remember every race. It’s the emotion connected to it that’s really captivating.” - Andrew Rule
The story follows the great race mare's journey from start to finish, showcasing her entire life journey and bringing to life the emotions and experiences she brought to so many people.
“We go back to when she was a foal, when she had her first ride, and what she was like as a young horse. It’s her personality that comes through. Obviously, the races are her legacy, but we concentrated on Winx as the character. She’s quirky and doesn’t like people, and we wanted to bring that to life.
“Even though it's Winx's story, it's a story of an era. The film showcases moments like when Foxplay almost knocked her off, and all the rival jockeys, including James McDonald, Tommy Berry, and Kerrin McEvoy, talk about what it was like being stalked by the great Winx and seeing that famous white bridle approach out the corner of their eye”.
An Educational Tool
The film also aims to educate the general population about the thoroughbred industry.
“The owners of Winx were keen to use the film to educate the wider population about the industry. Screen Australia and Screen New South Wales provided a grant to create study guides for Australian teachers of media. Once the film finishes screening in cinemas, it will be available as an educational tool and will go into the National Film and Sound Archive of Australia.
“Educating the general population about the racing industry through a story like Winx is important. It’s much more effective to portray positive messaging using such a popular horse. The film clearly communicates that the safety of the horse is paramount, which is going to be so beneficial for the industry’s perception.”
Winx, Hugh Bowman and Chris Waller | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
“She’s an elite athlete, and Waller is an elite sports coach. I wanted to convey the sporting and management aspect to those unfamiliar with the industry.”
The night promises to be special, with a red-carpet event attended by key members of Winx's entourage and a Q&A session following the screening. The Q&A will feature her trainer Chris Waller, writer and narrator Andrew Rule, Cameron Williams, and director Janine Hosking. Tickets are limited and can be purchased here.
