The Australian wonder mare Black Caviar was one of the best sprinters ever seen in worldwide horse racing.
A true champion, Black Caviar went unbeaten in 25 races including a stunning 15 Group 1 events.
She was the world champion sprinter four years running from 2010-2013.
Trained in Melbourne by Peter Moody, she was a career-defining mare for all involved with her, not least jockey Luke Nolen who partnered her in all but three of her career wins.
Black Caviar’s Pedigree
Black Caviar was foaled on August 18th, 2006. She was bred by Rick Jamieson of the famed Gilgai Stud in Nagambie, Victoria.
The brown mare is from the line of Royal Academy, himself a wonderful racehorse who won both the July Cup and the Breeders’ Cup Mile back in 1990.
| Parents | Grand Parents | Great Grand Parents |
|---|---|---|
| Bel Esprit | Royal Academy | Nijinsky |
| Crimson Saint | ||
| Bespoken | Vain | |
| Vin d’Amour | ||
| Helsinge | Desert Sun | Green Desert |
| Solar | ||
| Scandinavia | Snippets | |
| Song Of Norway |
There’s plenty of blue blood in her pedigree. Green Desert, Royal Academy and Nijinsky were three of the best racehorses to grace the turf, making it hardly surprising the level Black Caviar came to reach.
As a Broodmare
Black Caviar’s racing career was officially ended on April 17th, 2013. A career as a broodmare was always on the cards.
In the wee hours of September 13th 2014, she foaled her first offspring. The bay filly by Exceed and Excel was much anticipated.
Since then, she has given birth to other foals; a colt by Sebring in September 2015, a filly by Snitzel in 2016 and a fourth in 2017, another filly this time by More Than Ready.
Racing Career
Synyan, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Black Caviar’s success as a broodmare is still to be decided, but her prowess on the track can never be in doubt.
Her 25/25 record will be a hard one to beat in the upper echelons of the sport, her big race wins including three Lightning Stakes at Flemington, two TJ Smith Stakes, two William Reid Stakes, two Australia Stakes and two Schweppes Stakes among others.
She was rated 132 internationally at her peak, an amazing figure for a mare especially.
Her Group 1 wins were:
| Date | Race | Won By (Runner-Up) | SP |
|---|---|---|---|
| 06/11/10 | Patinack Farm Classic | 4 lengths, Star Witness | 9/10 |
| 19/02/11 | Lightning Stakes | 3¼ lengths, Hay List | 2/7 |
| 12/03/11 | Newmarket Handicap | 3 lengths, Crystal Lily | 2/11 |
| 25/03/11 | William Reid Stakes | 1¾ lengths, Crystal Lily | 1/11 |
| 09/04/11 | TJ Smith Stakes | 2¾ lengths, Hay List | 1/7 |
| 14/05/11 | BTC Cup | 2 lengths, Hay List | 3/20 |
| 05/11/11 | Patinack Farm Classic | 2¾ lengths, Buffering | 1/25 |
| 11/02/12 | Orr Stakes | 3¼ lengths, Southern Speed | 1/20 |
| 18/02/12 | Lightning Stakes | 1¾ lengths, Hay List | 1/10 |
| 28/04/12 | Robert Sangster Stakes | 4½ lengths, Sistine Angel | 1/20 |
| 12/05/12 | Goodwood Stakes | 1¼ lengths, We’re Gonna Rock | 1/20 |
| 23/06/12 | Diamond Jubilee Stakes | Head, Moonlight Cloud | 1/6 |
| 16/02/13 | Lightning Stakes | 2½ lengths, Moment Of Change | 1/10 |
| 22/03/13 | William Reid Stakes | 4 lengths, Karuta Queen | 1/33 |
| 13/04/13 | TJ Smith Stakes | 3 lengths, Epaulette | 1/7 |
By the time Black Caviar won her second Lightning Stakes in 2013, it had been renamed the Black Caviar Lightning in honour of her.
Her win at Royal Ascot in the 2012 Diamond Jubilee was her only foray away from Australia, and very nearly her only defeat.
The competition was undoubtedly greater in Europe, though undoubtedly Luke Nolen was overconfident in the final half-furlong and was almost caught by French runner Moonlight Cloud before he famously realised his mistake and started to ride furiously.
Earnings
Black Caviar was a great earner for her owners. In total, she landed some $7.9 million, or £4.3 million.
Connections
Black Caviar’s journey all began with breeder Rick Jamieson, though she went on to bring joy to many people within the game.
Her owners were a real collective, including Werrett Bloodstock, Mr CH Madden, Mrs J Madden, Mrs PA Hawkes, Mr DM Taylor, Mrs J Taylor, Mr GJ Wilkie and Mrs KJ Wilkie.
Although a trainer of many other top-class types, Black Caviar was to Peter Moody what Frankel was to Henry Cecil, while Luke Nolen can be forgiven his lapse at Royal Ascot as jockey having guided Black Caviar to all but three of her career wins.