Cover image courtesy of Inglis
It was fitting that Sheehan was given the task of leading the only living foal out of Winx (Street Cry {Ire)} through the ring at Riverside Stables on Monday as he has been present for so many other pivotal moments during this bittersweet tale.
Coolmore’s long-serving foaling manager was responsible for helping bring Winx into the world back in September 2011, and also foaled her $10million daughter when she was born on October 7, 2022.
In the aftermath of the record-breaking transaction Tom Magnier explained how close connections had come to losing Winx following complications after the death of her first foal in October 2020.
Winx | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
The Coolmore supremo singled Sheehan out for the skill and care that he had put into nursing Winx back to full health, and the man on the end of the lead rein explained that the rollercoaster of emotions that had come before brought the poignancy of Monday into sharp relief.
“With all the problems that mum’s been through and to have this foal as her first going through the ring, it makes me very emotional,” he said. “I was there when Winx was born so it was a privilege for the owners to bring her back to Coolmore. It’s just amazing that Debbie could buy (the filly).
“No one really knows what went on with the mare, she was in big trouble and she pulled through, showing the toughness she showed on the racetrack. To get this foal out, and for her to go in foal again, it’s a credit to everyone at Coolmore and Scone Vets. This is just the icing on the cake.”
“With all the problems that mum’s been through and to have this foal as her first going through the ring, it makes me very emotional... I was there when Winx was born so it was a privilege for the owners to bring her back to Coolmore.” - Patrick Sheehan
Asked about being given the call up to lead the $10million filly through the ring, Sheehan said: “The owners have been so good to me. They put Winx first all the time but they said to me ‘You’ve done the work with her so we want you to come and lead her through’.
“I usually stay back and look after the youngstock but Tom said I was leading her through. I said hopefully she makes $5million and it’d be great if she could make $10million. It’s just unbelievable.”
Although Sheehan and the filly appeared to put in a foot perfect performance during their time in the ring, the strapper revealed that the unprecedented level of attention hadn’t been lost on Winx’s daughter.
“She’s very strong,” he said. “All the public were around and she really tensed up and you could feel that, but she’s just an amazing filly.”
I said hopefully she makes $5million and it’d be great if she could make $10million. It’s just unbelievable.” - Patrick Sheehan
He added: “That’s the great thing about it, she’ll retire eventually and come back and be the third (generation). It’ll come full circle. I’m relieved that Chris (Waller) is going to get her and Debbie’s got her. It’s a great story.”
Sheehan paid tribute to Winx’s owners' care and commitment to their pride and joy, particularly during the troubled times of October 2020. He also provided a much happier update on the star, who has well and truly put her health scare behind her.
“She was in big trouble,” he said. “I went into Scone Vets every day to see her and they said her chances were 50-50. She’s just such a tough horse. And the owners are unbelievable because they gave her the year off when they could’ve said let’s get her back in foal. They said no, she comes first. That’s what it’s all about.
Patrick Sheehan | Image courtesy of Coolmore
“She’s in foal to Snitzel. She’s beautiful and she’s so relaxed now, she’s a really relaxed broodmare, which is a credit to everyone really.”
