It's August 19, 2017, arguably her greatest win, in the Group 2 Warwick Stakes, since renamed after the mighty mare.

She's missed the jump.

Standing at the Shellharbour Club's sports bar, the gasps among the regulars were quickly replaced by complete silence.

It's like time stopped in the room.

"It's going to get desperate," caller Darren Flindell booms in the straight as Hugh Bowman lets Winx unwind.

The Chris Waller stablemate Foxplay has hit the front and daring to end the winning run.

READ MORE: "There were lots of temptations" Waller

But it wasn't as much the ability of Bowman and Winx to turn a four-length disadvantage into a famous victory, as it was the way those around me reacted.

The cheering and clapping. Fathers and grandfathers watching in awe as she picked them up in the final strides to make it 18 wins in a row, on the way to becoming the world's greatest horse.

In the opinion of many, the best horse ever.

The most animated some of these blokes usually get of a Saturday afternoon is when their mate buys them the next schooner. 

Everyone knew just how special it was that day.

I didn't grow up with racing, but have long been a casually terrible punter.

Winx has changed the way I view it.

Like Winx closing in on her rivals, it's surged on the footy codes as my favourite sport.

She was $2.10 when won the 2015 Queensland Oaks, her first Group 1, second win of the unbeaten streak, the day I remember thinking she was a star.

She's been at almost unbackable odds ever since, but the nation has been captivated by every run and the legend created.

A total of 36 wins and 78 horses she's beaten in Group 1s, with a fitting farewell beckoning at Randwick on Saturday.

After the sudden passing of Kiama AFL South Coast club life member Darren Williams last Saturday, Figtree coach Will Ryan reflected on the importance of players rallying around each other.

Figtree were playing against the Power at Bonaira Oval when Williams - the father of sons Michael, Ben and Tom - died suddenly on the sidelines last Saturday.

Like the tragic loss of Dapto rugby league player Tory Brunning last year, it's a timely reminder of life's fragility and the value of mateship. 

"The good thing about footy clubs is there's 55 or 60 good mates who support you," Ryan said. 

"Mental health is so important for young men and it's a unique environment, where people from different backgrounds come together for one club and one cause."

A memorial service will be held for Darren at the Kiama Pavilion at 11.30am on Wednesday.

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