Grand send off for Black Caviar

black caviar

Black Caviar was given a grand send off at Caulfield today with a special track gallop. Photo by Bruno Cannatelli

Champion mare Black Caviar was given a grand send off as she paraded down the Caulfield straight for the final time today in front of a cheering flag waving crowd.

Trainer Peter Moody and Black Caviar’s owners announced during the week that the undefeated world champion sprinter was retiring after putting together twenty-five consecutive wins, fifteen at Group 1 level.

Black Caviar edged past the great Kingston Town’s Group 1 record of fourteen when she put paid to a top class field in the Group 1 $1m Darley T J Smith Stakes (1200m) at Randwick last Saturday.

Moody told a packed media conference that Black Caviar had nothing more to prove and the time was right for her to retire on a grand note and prepare for her next stage of her life as a broodmare.

“We believe she’s done everything we’ve asked her to do and it’s the right time to call it a day on one of the best horses we’ve ever seen,” Moody said.

“You wouldn’t want to see anything happen to the horse. Let’s stop now while nothing can go wrong.”

And Moody toady thanked all who had a hand in the unbelievable feats that Black Caviar was able to achieve on the racetrack.

“I’ve been able to work with such a wonderful horse, a wonderful group of people, the owners, all my staff, Donna Fischer, Paddy Bell, Tony Haydon, Jeff O’Connor Dr Peter Angus, Michael Bryant, Matty Barton the farrier and others too numerous to mention,” Moody said to a packed Caulfield racecourse.

“It’s been one hell of a ride. I’m really just lost for words like I have been after probably her last twenty wins.”

“Thanks very much for enjoying my little girl and I’m very grateful that you all have come out here to see her off. Thank you.”

Black Caviar with Luke Nolen aboard paraded down the straight in front of another packed house and completed her farewell appearance in grand style with Moody leading her off the track back into the saddling enclosure.

Although Black Caviar was a worldwide sensation while raking up win after win in Australia, Moody and her owners decided to put her on the world stage and weren’t let down after the mare produced one of her finest, but narrowest wins in the Group 1 £500,000 The Diamond Jubilee Stakes (6 furlongs) at Royal Ascot last June.

After Royal Ascot Moody spelled the mighty mare and then prepared her for the Melbourne Autumn Carnival where she claimed the Lightning Stakes over 1000m down the Flemington straight for a record third time after the Victoria Racing Club renamed the race in her honour to be called the Group 1 $500,000 Black Caviar Lightning.

Black Caviar’s record stands at twenty-five wins from twenty-five starts, collecting almost $8 million in prizemoney and her owners will now reap the rewards and pleasure of racing her progeny in the coming years.

About The Author

Mark Mazzaglia

Mark is a passionate journalist with a life-time involvement in the racing industry. He spent many years as an analyst and form expert at the Courier Mail and also has hands-on experience working with some of Queensland’s top trainers.