Director Janine Hosking has always had a love for horses and in 2021, she reached out to those involved with Winx and asked if they’d contribute towards a feature-film length documentary.  They were more than agreeable.  In looking for a screenwriter, Hosking then teamed up with journalist Andrew Rule who has published an authorised biography of Winx in 2018.  He serves as the film’s narrator – providing facts with a splash of colour.

If new to the story, Winx was an Australian racehorse with a career spanning five years between 2014 and 2019.  Within this country, she set records for consecutive races won, the most Group One titles, and the most prizemoney earned.  The narrative could be approached from multiple angles but Hoskings and Rule focus on two key individuals – trainer Chris Waller and regular jockey Hugh Bowman.  The film is as much about them and their own backstories as it is about the famed horse.

Winx’s achievements were incredible but again, in condensing the material for cinemas, the filmmakers zero-in on two key achievements – the record four consecutive Cox Plates (the most prestigious race in Australia), and the 33-consecutive race triumphs which began in May 2015 with a smaller Group Three win on the Sunshine Coast.  A theme which comes through is the enormous pressure they all felt behind the scenes in keeping the streak going and satisfying the demands of her growing fan base.

There’s something for everyone here.  For horse racing fans already knowledgeable of Winx’s records, they’ll glean interest from the range of interviews including owners, trainers, strappers, commentators, farriers, and jockeys.  They explain everything from the horse’s name through to the precise training/spelling regimes which led to Winx’s success.  There were a few superstitions too!  Trainer Chris Waller is particularly emotional when reflecting on events and that passion is translated onto audiences.  Even if you’re not a racing enthusiast, there’s a fair chance you’ll still be engaged by this once-in-a-lifetime tale and the way a simple mare became the most talked about animal in Australia.

The film noticeably shies away from some elements of the sport.  For example, there’s never any talk about gambling and race-odds.  Further, in keeping a positive tone, there’s a lack of tension and conflict.  Everyone is largely agreeable and so much of the footage, particularly the archival stuff, consists of great race wins and expressive celebrations.  I’m fine with the approach but it does feel like it’s lacking eye-opening, thought-provoking revelations which are often found in award-winning documentaries.

Enhanced by a strong film score which ratchets up during the big races, A Horse Named Winx provides a nice summary of a great chapter in Australian horse racing.