Cover image courtesy of Moonee Valley
The great mare reportedly sadly passed away due to a short battle with laminitis and was humanely euthanised at the Scone Equine Hospital in New South Wales shortly after giving birth to a foal colt by Snitzel.
It was well documented Black Caviar had her struggles and injuries during her racing career, but like a Champion she was, she made it look easy. Only on very rare occasions did a horse ever get close to the powerfully built mare on the racetrack.
Reflecting on his time with Black Caviar, her former trainer Peter Moody said in a statement, “She was a remarkable horse who gave us all the ride of a lifetime and wonderful memories.
Black Caviar with Peter Moody | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
“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 like her.” Moody told Racing.com.
“She had a milk infection about a week ago and we just treated it like you do with all broodmares, but like a lot of treatments, it went straight to her feet. Basically it killed her feet. She had the foal this morning, a colt foal by Snitzel and they put her down shortly after that on humane grounds.
“They scanned her feet yesterday and there was no blood flow at all to her feet. There was minimum blood flow to her feet anyhow but there was none and she’s such a big girl.
“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 like her.” - Peter Moody
“I rang all the staff and told them. They were all very upset.”
Flemington a special place for Black Caviar
Flemington was the stage of Black Caviar’s debut in April, 2009. She would return to the venue, winning the G2 Danehill S. and would also win her first Group 1 at the famous course - the G1 Patinack Farm Classic where she was simply in a different class to her opposition.
Of course, over the years Black Caviar returned to Flemington, winning the G1 Newmarket H. carrying 58kg, as well as claiming three editions of the G1 Lighting S. a race that was later renamed in her honour, and run annually.
Racing Victoria Club Chairman Neil Wilson said in a press release, “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.
The VRC was privileged to have Black Caviar race at Flemington and to have the Lightning S. named after her in 2013, a race she won three times including the first year it was named in her honour.
“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.” - Neil Wilson
“Our heartfelt condolences go out to those close to her, including our friends in the ownership group. To Black Caviar’s trainer Peter Moody and jockey Luke Nolen, our thoughts are with you on this sad day.
“She was simply the best.”
The night Australia held its breath
Conquering Australia, and drawing crowds to the racecourse awash in her salmon and pink silks it was time for Black Caviar to answer the call of the international stage. Heading to Europe for the G1 Royal Ascot Diamond Jubilee, Black Caviar wasn’t at her dominant best but drew on all her courage to hold off Moonlight Cloud (GB) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}) who would retire as a six-time Group 1.
The margin was the closest ever in Black Caviar’s career. Nolen, wanting to look after his partner, pulled up on the mare once she had hit the front, not expecting her to stop so quickly but once she felt the challenge of another horse, Black Caviar found enough to lift.
There was a crowd in Federation Square, Melbourne that erupted in celebration when Black Caviar conquered Royal Ascot. There were rumours Black Caviar was finished, she’d be retired but the great mare was returned to Australia and given time to let her hair down.
Black Caviar returns peerless
Nine months after her deeds at Royal Ascot, Black Caviar was back at Flemington contesting the G1 Lightining S. and she showed she was no spent force. Heading to Moonee Valley it was another 4l success and then came the grand hurrah in Sydney - the G1 TJ Smith S.
After a 3l success, Peter Moody surrounded by her ownership announced she was retired, “"We thought long and hard about racing on but believe she has done everything we asked of her and felt it was the right time to call time on her wonderful career,''
Black Caviar retired as three-time Australian Horse of the Year, and Australian Champion Sprinter, the Champion Older Female Sprinter in Great Britain. A victress of 25 races, including 15 at the elite-level.
She was dam to nine foals.
