American tycoon vows to spend up to $9 million for Winx filly

An American private equity tycoon has vowed to pay up to $9 million to secure the only living foal from Australia’s champion racehorse Winx, which would smash the record for the country’s most expensive yearling.

John Stewart has promised to keep the filly from 25-time group 1 winner Winx, who retired five years ago, in Australia if he can fend off interest from European, Japanese and local buyers when the horse is sold in Sydney on Monday.

The filly, out of champion stallion Pierro, is tipped to surge past the $2.6 million Australian record for a yearling filly.

Stewart has risen to prominence in global bloodstock circles with a string of high-priced purchases in the past 12 months. He flew to Australia last month to inspect Winx’s filly on a Hunter Valley farm. He will watch the sale from America on Monday.

Stewart sent a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, claiming he “wouldn’t be outbid” in perhaps the most anticipated public horse sale in Australian history.

“Our current record is $US6 million ($9.1 million) #goodnightove @FasigTiptonCo November Sale,” Stewart wrote.

“I am committed to do whatever it takes to buy this filly unless I get the impression I am being bid up and in that case someone could get stuck with paying a big number. People are calling her a collectors [sic] item and I am a collector so it is a natural fit.”

Stewart’s Resolute Racing operation was active on the first day of the Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale on Sunday, paying $650,000 for a filly by Faith In Hand as one of several purchases. Local officials were told Stewart was bidding online from a Kentucky restaurant.

Inglis officials have been making preparations to ensure their online streaming system doesn’t crash when Lot 391 walks into the sale ring after lunchtime on Monday. A crowd of up to 5000 is expected to attend their Warwick Farm Riverside complex.