The champion mare Winx and her rider, Dunedoos Hugh Bowman, are set to be immortalised in silo artwork at Dunedoo which will put the central-west town on the tourist map.
The idea is still in the planning stage but moves are afoot to honour Winx and Bowmans historic fourth Cox Plate, achieved at Moonee Valley two Saturdays ago.
The Dunedoo silos were sold privately by GrainCorp a few years ago and are now owned by farmer Brett Yeo, Wattle Vale.
Mr Yeo would not disclose what exact plans were in motion but said there would be a possible announcement shortly and that honouring Winx and Hughie were high on the list of possibilities as artwork for the silos.
Already residents of Dunedoo said putting Hugh Bowman and Winx on the side of the silos would be a fantastic tourist attraction for the town. It has the support of Hotel Dunedoo publican Glenn Chapman.
“That would be ideal seeing Winx and Hughie coming into town,” he said.
That would be ideal seeing Winx and Hughie coming into town.
Hotel Dunedoo publican Glenn Chapman.
Mr Yeo said silo artwork was becoming a major tourist drawcard around Australia and this could give Dunedoo its big chance to join the silo artwork circuit.
Asked if Hughie and Winx might be honoured on the silos, Mr Yeo said: “Thats correct. It would be a great sight in our main street”. But he added it was “still in the planning process. Well find out more in the next few weeks.”
Because the silos are on private land unlike many other places for silo artwork, Mr Yeo will have to seek public and or private support to complete the project, if permitted by council.
Warrumbungle Shire Council oversee the area and would have to be involved.
“This silo trail is really taking off and these silos could become a valuable addition to the towns profile. The timing is right,” Mr Yeo said.
Australians have fallen in love with Winx, now rated the best horse in the world, after her historic fourth Cox Plate – one of the great moments in turf history – and she donkeylicked the foreign raiders.
Winx has raced 39 times for 33 wins and 3 second placings and 22 Group One wins (a world record) and an amazing 29 wins in a row. She has amassed $22.9 million in prize money. She has been spelled after the commanding Cox Plate victory and is expected to return for a final autumn hurrah in Sydney before retirement.
Hughs father Jim Bowman and Hughs mum Mandy, who farm at Dunedoo, were on hand to see Hughs fourth Cox Plate in a row on Winx. The Bowmans are all avid horse people and Hugh said he couldnt thank his father enough for teaching him to ride from an early age. Jim was also a part-time trainer for many years.
Hughie used to ride at barrel events around the Dunedoo district when he was young. One person said they always remembered seeing a horse tethered to the front fence at the Bowmans place, Merotherie. The Bowmans largely escaped the bad fires that swept through the area last year, but Hugh became involved in helping the people and farmers affected by the Sir Ivan fires in charity drives.
This story Winx and Hugh Bowman set for silo art honour first appeared on The Land.
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Nyngan Observer
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