winning post

American  

noun

1. a post on a racetrack, marking the goal of a race.

---

winning post British  

noun

1. the post marking the finishing line on a racecourse

---

Etymology

Origin of winning post

First recorded in 1810–20

Example Sentences

At Cheltenham, the 10-year-old Many Clouds shocked Thistlecrack to win the Cotswold Chase by a head before falling after the winning post.

From New York Times • Jan. 28, 2017

And the winning post is the organ bank.

From Economist • Feb. 4, 2016

"From a racing point of view, I'm quite glad he won't be there to do me on the line before the winning post comes."

From BBC • Apr. 25, 2015

Earlier, upon being asked if he'd begun his celebrations early after mistaking the furlong pole for the winning post, Knott was most indignant.

From The Guardian • Dec. 14, 2012

It was the frenzy of the rider who feels his horse about to fail him within a span of the winning post; of the leader whose men waver at the actual point of victory.

From The Light of Scarthey by Castle, Egerton