Son of Winx could have a $20 million price tag

Debbie Kepitis, the part-owner of Winx who paid a record $10 million for the legendary mare’s first live foal, a filly, says the champion’s first son is “a very handsome boy. Just wait until you see him”.

That chance will come for suitors at the Inglis Easter Yearling Sale next year after the Winx ownership’s decision to put the Snitzel colt up for auction.

Winx’s colt with Inglis Chief Executive Sebastian Hutch.

Now the big question: what will he go for?

Logically, you would think he will go for more than his half-sister, maybe even double, especially given the death of Snitzel this month. But there are no sure things in racing.

Snitzel was a four-time champion sire of Australia which produced 23 individual group 1 winners, including two-time Everest conqueror Redzel and Golden Slipper victors Marhoona, Shinzo and Estijaab.

His death makes his son with Winx - Australia’s greatest performer on the track - unique and should only heighten the desire to secure the colt next Easter.

An emotional Debbie Kepitis signs for the official sale of Winx’s first foal at the Inglis Easter Yearling Sales.Credit: Getty

After losing her first foal, to I Am Invincible, Winx gave birth to a Pierro filly in 2023. Kepitis, who already owned a third of the yearling, outbid American John Stewart to secure her at the 2024 Inglis Easter Sale, paying a world record price of $10 million for a filly. Named Quinceañera, she is under the care of Winx’s trainer, Chris Waller, but she is yet to even trial. Winx’s next pairing, announced this month, will be with Too Darn Hot.

The record sale price smashed expectations, and the former benchmark for a filly in Australia - $2.7 million.

Given the immeasurable stud potential of the Snitzel-Winx colt, he could easily attract far greater bids, especially if Kepitis, the daughter of late poultry and racing heavyweight Bob Ingham, and billionaire Stewart get involved again.

Asked just after his birth if she might try to buy the colt outright, Kepitis said: “I’ve got to be careful, I went a bit overboard with getting the filly”.

Jockey Hugh Bowman guides Winx to the lead at the winning post in her last race in 2019.Credit: Brook Mitchell

As what price he might attract, she said: “You wouldn’t know what he’d go for. I think we’d need John Stewart back again if we were going to get $10 million ... the market will say.”

A reserve for the colt, set by Winx owners Peter and Patty Tighe, Kepitis’ Woppitt Bloodstock and Elizabeth and Rick Treweeke, will not be known until just before the auction.

What is certain is he will receive strong interest from stud syndicates, given his incredible pedigree.

Snitzel finished with a service fee of $247,500, and he covered more than 3000 mares in his 18 years at stud. His progeny have sold for more than a combined $450 million, and counting.

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His combination with Winx, which won 33 consecutive races, a record 25 group 1s and more than $26 million, opens the door to even greater riches.

The record yearling price for a colt in Australia is $5 million, bid in 2013 for a son of Redoute’s Choice and half-brother to unbeaten sprinting legend Black Caviar. The horse, known as “Jimmy”, died later that year after complications from a suspected spider bite.

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