The origins of the thoroughbred are revered lore for all who follow racing. But so what?

From the three Arab stallions bred to English mares more than three hundred years ago there are now quite literally millions of thoroughbreds.

Some will be raised and raced in obscurity, a few will pay their way and return the costs of training and veterinary bills. Plenty of others end up in pet food cans.

And then there is Winx, who on Saturday won the Queen Elizabeth Stakes – her 25th victory in a row – and thereby demonstrated, as if any further demonstration were needed, that she is indeed one in a million.

Winx surged from the tail of the 10-horse field at Randwick to beat Gailo Chop and Happy Clapper in the $4 million contest, the richest race of  Sydney’s Autumn Carnival.

It was her 18th Group One success and – had she been destined to blot her impeccable record – this might well have been the day.

Starting from the extreme outside gate, Winx also had to contend to with the wind, which has bothered and distracted her in the past.

There was Humidor, who ran second to Winx in the Cox Plate, in the catbird seat of the number-one gate, plus Happy Clapper, who gave the marvel mare the hardest challenge in the George Ryder Stakes in late March.

After an unremarkable start she dawdled at the rear of the field for the first half, much as at Rosehill before claiming the Ryder’s $1 million purse.

History repeated itself at Randwick: the same tactic of sitting back off the pace.

Swinging seven-wide she began her run 600 metres out and never decelerated.

Then came the trademark Winx surge as jockey Hugh Bowman invoked that unique brand of heart and speed which sets her not merely apart but above and beyond the pack.

The result was never in doubt. With 200 metres to go, her rivals seemed to be merely cantering.

She swept past Gailo Chop ($26) to win by three and three-quarters lengths with Happy Clapper ($11) claiming third.

After such a performance who could have doubted Winx would once again take the laurels. Well somebody did and it was quietly spoken trainer Chris Waller.

“For the first time in a long time I sat down and went through the opposition,” a jubilant Waller told the ABC after the race.

“I have every respect for the other horses in the race like Humidor, Gailo Chop and of course Happy Clapper, but she has been going as well as ever.”

Bowman doesn’t show his emotions as much as Winx’s trainer, ever mindful of the job he has to do.

“The bottom line is she’s got lengths on her rivals. It makes it easy for me.”