Champion mare Winx became only the second horse in Australian racing history to win the Ladbrokes Cox Plate (2040m) three times when she claimed a fighting victory over Humidor in front of a full house at The Valley on Saturday.

In taking her incredible winning streak to 22, Chris Waller's wonder mare etched her name into the history books alongside three-time Cox Plate winner Kingston Town.

Unlike Kingston Town’s third victory, in which caller Bill Collins famously wrote off the champion, racecaller Matt Hill had little reason to doubt the daughter of Street Cry, who appeared to travel comfortably throughout the race before letting loose before the turn.

But there were a few heart flutters for the mare's legions of fans in the closing stages for while she easily accounted for leader Gailo Chop, Winx was forced to dig into reserves not often seen to fend off the late challenge of Humidor.

The victory, Winx's 15th at Group 1 level, also elevated the six-year-old to the top of Australia's list of all-time Stakes earners with more than $15.5 million now in the bank for connections.

A humbled jockey Hugh Bowman said Winx's place in racing folklore was now assured.

"I'm lost for words, she's just made history," Bowman said.

"I was born the year Kingston Town won his first Cox Plate and to think that she's emulated the great, it's incredible.

"We are in the presence of greatness and she will be recognised as one of the greatest horses to have graced the Australian turf."

Text image Racing.com