One of the greatest sprinters of all-time, the mighty mare who retired undefeated after 25 starts has died one day short of her 18th birthday
Australia: Legendary sprinter Black Caviar, one of the greatest horses in the history of Australian racing, died on Saturday [Aug 17] one day short of her 18th birthday.
Australia’s Queen of the Turf was humanely euthanized at the Scone Equine Hospital in New South Wales shortly after giving birth to a colt by Snitzel, her ninth foal since she was retired undefeated following a career during which she became a true icon of the sport.
Dubbed the ‘Wonder from Down Under’, Black Caviar was trained by Peter Moody, for whom she won all 25 of her races, 15 of them at G1 level including a dramatic Royal Ascot success in 2012. She was put down after a short battle with laminitis.
“I sat in the car and cried for an hour,” said an emotional Moody. “You don’t think it affects you, but you are being stupid not to think it doesn’t. It’s impossible not to get attached to most animals let alone one like her.
“She was a remarkable horse who gave us all the ride of a lifetime and wonderful memories.”
Luke Nolen, the jockey who steered Black Caviar to 23 of her victories, said he was left feeling “hollow” on hearing the news. “You could say she was just a horse, but she was more than a horse and that’s why we’re feeling a bit blue,” he said.
“She meant a great deal to us,” he went on. “She was an integral part of my career but, more importantly, she was so important for racing itself. She was one of our equine heroes. It was great to be a part of her story, but I always felt a bit guilty because anyone could've done the job.”
News of the champion’s passing was released in a statement from Black Caviar’s ownership group, to whom she was known as ‘Nelly’.
“It is with deep sadness that the Madden, Hawkes, Wilkie, Taylor and Werrett families wish to advise that champion mare Black Caviar passed away peacefully today,” said the statement.
"Black Caviar was a once-in-a-lifetime horse, most famous for her stellar racing career which saw her undefeated with 25 wins from 25 starts.
“The ownership group are devastated, however, will reflect on her glittering achievements not only in Australia where she transcended racing and captured the hearts of the public, but in England where she famously won the 2012 Diamond Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot.”
Black Caviar’s G1 triumphs included three editions of the Lightning Stakes, a race now named after her, the Patinack Farm Classic twice,TJ Smith Stakes twice and the Newmarket Handicap. She amassed career earnings of A$7.9 million ($5.2m).
The daughter of the Aussie-based stallion Bel Esprit was crowned Australian Horse of the Year three times and topped the official World Thoroughbred Racehorse Rankings for 2013.
Yet while it was nowhere near her most impressive victory, Black Caviar may well be best remembered for her nail-biting success at Royal Ascot the previous year, when the racecourse was transformed into a sea of salmon pink and black, mirroring the mighty mare’s famous silks.
Black Caviar flew to Britain in a specially-made spandex suit, designed to keep the blood circulating, for an adventure that was to capture the nation In Australia, with thousands of fans gathering in Melbourne’s Federation Square at midnight to watch her run.
They were given the fright of their lives as an over-confident Nolen eased off when he got to the front and realising his error just in time to scramble to a head victory over Moonlight Cloud.
When ‘Moods’ met Frankel … and Henry met Black Caviar – JA McGrath on Royal Ascot
The late Queen Elizabeth II came into the Ascot winners’ circle to give Black Caviar a pat. Moody posted a reminder of the occasion on his X account, under the comment, “The day my two queens met.”
Moody later admitted that Black Caviar had not handled the travelling as well as he had hoped and was diagnosed with a torn quadriceps and sacroiliac joint after the race.
She flew home for an extended break and did not run again until February 2013 when in clinching her third Lightning Stakes she broke the 25-year-old Flemington track record.
She drew level with another Australian great, Kingston Town, when she claimed her 14th G1 success in the William Reid the following month and then moved one ahead when triumphing in the TJ Smith in April, her final start.
Victoria Racing Club chairman Neil Wilson said: “Today’s news is a shock to us all. Black Caviar was more than a champion racehorse, she was an important part of life for many people.
“Her brilliance, her presence and the pleasure and inspiration she gave to so many was a special moment in time for horse racing and sport more generally.
“She has created a piece of history that will be remembered forever, and it was a privilege for all who saw this wonderful equine athlete in action. She was simply the best.”
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