Black Caviar Can’t Be Beat
Horse of the Year Black Caviar continues her reign as the darling of the Australian horse racing industry. The undefeated mare raced to her 15th victory, winning by six lengths in the Schweppes A.J. Moir Stakes, which took place at Moonee Valley on Saturday. With this win she overtakes the renowned Phar Lap’s racing record of 14-0.
Black Caviar was foaled at Swettenham Stud on 18 August 2006. This phenomenal horse was sired by Bel Esprit out of Helsing by Desert Sun. She is trained by Peter Moody and ridden by jockey Luke Nolen. Black Caviar was voted Horse of the Year in the Victorian Thoroughbred Racing Awards, as well as WTRR World Champion Sprinter in 2010. She was also rated amongst the top Thoroughbred racehorses worldwide for the first quarter of 2011. She has won all her 15 races with ease and her combined winning margins now surpass 50 lengths. Her only real challenge came two years ago in the Danehill Stakes. At this event she nearly fell at the beginning of the race, injuring a chest muscle, but still won by three-quarters of a length.
The popular Thoroughbred received a standing ovation as she entered on Saturday, with everyone in attendance trying to get a good view of Black Caviar. Prior to the stakes race on Saturday, Black Caviar’s connections required that track officials leave the adjacent starting gate empty, as they did not want the poorly mannered Here De Angels right beside their horse. This unusual request shows just how important this mare is. The talented horse was barely challenged in the Schweppes A.J. Moir Stakes. Luke Nolan sent her to the lead with 200 meters to run, gearing down in the last 50 meters, and winning the Grade II event by six lengths in a time of 1:10.13 ahead of Doubtful Jack, Here de Angels and Scenic Blast. The spectators once again roared with loud applause for the ever-popular Black Caviar.
Some are concerned that Black Caviar has no competition for the spring season. Sepoy is the only sprinter in the region that could possibly compete with the mare. Some feel that Black Caviar needs to compete on an international level, and this may just take place at the Royal Ascot next year. In the meantime Moody is in no rush to ship her off overseas, saying that international champions are welcome to race against Black Caviar in Australia.
Racing fans will next see Black Caviar in action on 5 November 2011 in the Patinack Farm Classic Stakes at Flemington. She is also being lined-up for the Winter Bottom Stakes at Ascot in Perth on 19 November 2011.
