He was an absolute champion who sailed to the USA and was a star in Australia and abroad

Winooka, foaled in 1928 was a champion bay Australian thoroughbred stallion who raced for five seasons from a two-year-old juvenile to a six-year-old, including a trip to America, recording major wins from 6 furlongs to 1 mile. Jockeys Stan Davidson from Newcastle and Australian Racing Hall of Fame inductees Jim Pike and Edgar Britt were all winners on the horse. Winooka was was foaled in 1928 and was by the grand racehorse, Windbag out of the mare Kanooka (by The Welkin). It was a fine pedigree. He was purchased at the 1930 Sydney yearling sales for 290 guineas by H.C. Taylor from Scone, originally trained in Brisbane by Tim Brosnan of Lough Neagh fame, but later moved to the Mick Polson stables. After two starts he was sold to new owners W.A. McDonald and A.J. Mathews for 1000 guineas who were well known Sydney bookmakers.

Winooka raced between 1930 and 1935 winner of three Group 1 races in the modern era; the 1933 VATC Futurity Stakes, (Caulfield 7 furlong record), 1933 AJC Doncaster Handicap carrying 63 kg in Australasian record time, 1933 AJC All Aged Plate by 5 lengths and second 1935 VATC Oakleigh Plate carrying 66 kg. In his 1933 Doncaster Handicap win his for the mile, Winooka broke Phar Lap's track record, reflecting the quality of the animal. He had been backed in to favouritism for the event despite the huge weight. The Burnie Advocate reported the plunge on April 4, 1933 as follows:

Twelve-thirty was the zero hour for placing a huge commission throughout Australia this afternoon which carried Winooka to outright favourite for the Doncaster Handicap. In doubles with the Sydney Cup favourite Lough Neagh, Braeburn and Eastern Chief, Winooka was backed for £1000 in each case in Sydney alone, anti big wagers were reported to have been laid in Melbourne and Brisbane. During the past few weeks Winooka has been reported as a possible non-starter in the Doncaster, and his connections announced on Saturday that they had not reached a decision. Apparently the failure of leading Doncaster horses at Rosehill on Saturday influenced them into the belief that Winooka could carry his 9.st13lb to victory at Randwick - a belief that does not meet with general support. Winooka will not race again before the Doncaster Handicap.

Winooka as a five year old was shipped to the United States with trainer Mick Polson and jockey Edgar Britt to compete in nine highly publicised races winning two 'Match Races' at Tanforan Racetrack, San Francisco and Longacres Racetrack Seattle. Hundreds of racing fans gathered at Circular Quay to farewell the champion thoroughbred Winooka, whose owners had decided to try their luck against “some of America’s best gallopers”. He also competed in two further races at Pimlico Racecourse; being the 1933 Baltimore and Autumn Handicaps under management of colourful Australian sporting entrepreneur and horse racing identity, Rufe Naylor. With Jim Pike aboard, Winooka's final race was the 1935 Doncaster Handicap. During the race he was galloped on and both his hind tendons were cut. He subsequently recovered and was retired to stud in New South Wales.

Trainer Mick Polson (1886-1957) was originally from Melbourne and his stables were located at Kogarah near Moorefield Racecourse, Sydney, and later at High Street Randwick. He also trained wonder miler Fuji San, winner of 17 races including the 1925 AJC Doncaster Handicap, 1926 Tatts Tramway Handicap carrying 63 kg and 1927 AJC All Aged Stakes, and also second to the powerful Amounis, 1926 AJC Epsom Handicap carrying 61 kg. Mick Polson was mentor to the champion jockeys Edgar Britt and the dynamic Billy Lappin who was tragically killed in 1940.

Australian RACE RECORD - 30: 11-6-5

American RACE RECORD - 9: 4-1-1

EARNINGS - $39,000

G1 VATC Futurity Stakes

G1 AJC Doncaster Handicap

G1 AJC All Aged Plate 

VATC Oakleigh Plate