Winx No. 1 in World's Best Racehorse rankings; here's why

After 28 straight wins, there's really nothing left for people like me to say about Winx. So we turned to followers of Horse Racing Nation for this piece in the day leading up to last weekend's Group 1 Turnbull Stakes, the mare's final prep for what would be a record-setting run at three Cox Plate scores for the Chris Waller-trained daughter of Street Cry.

Winx remained No. 1 this week in the latest edition of the Longines World's Best Racehorse Rankings, with her 130 for a single, season-best performance one point better than American Horse of the Year Gun Runner's 129. Enable, who took the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe on Sunday in the second start of her season, is tied for seventh with a 125 rating.

So, why does Winx, who has run all her races in Australia, but beaten a lengthy list of Group 1 winners, deserve the World's Best label? Here's what we heard on Facebook and Twitter:

Jil McIntosh: “In a sport where champions are often retired after just a few races, a mare of this quality kept on the turf for so long helps to bring in people who will see the excitement of the sport and keep coming — and bringing their friends and family along with them. I'm so thrilled that her owners kept her coming back, race after race, not just for their own benefit, but for the good of racing everywhere.”

Kevin Trimmell: “I believe Winx is the (World’s Best Racehorse) because of the excitement she brings to the fans. Everyone loves a closer. To cheer for a horse that is in the back of the (pack) and to see it make its move drive the fans crazy just builds excitement in the crowd. To her credit, she does it all the time and with such ease. She has so many gears that it would be hard to ask for the right one.”

Andrew Waters: “This is exactly what Australian racing needed — another great horse that comes along and the world falls in love with. To be regarded as the best race horse in the world is an absolute honor to be right up there with other racing legends as Black Caviar and Octagonal. Then to be named Horse of the Year for the third time, what more can you say about a true champion and the world’s No. 1 race horse, other than a immortal of the sport.”

Andy Fetterhoff: "Winx is remarkable. I think the industry needs to look at how she is being handled and conditioned. Far too many are retired too soon. Congrats to the connections for a job well done. Extraordinary.”

Leslie Manning: “Even those of us on the opposite side of the globe appreciate the legendary mare. She is one of the most brilliant, durable champions that race fans have ever seen! Brilliant turn of foot and the will to win...what more could you ask for?”

Susan Young: "Her body of work and consistency, regardless of the way the race is set up, makes her certainly the best horse. I cheer for her from Portland, Oregon, every time she races, and she never disappoints.”