Vale the Champion, the Icon

Everyone at Te Akau Racing is saddened to learn of the loss of one of our industry's great mares - a stellar star, unbeaten on the track, a mare who captured not only imaginations but hearts - Black Caviar, aka Nelly!

We felt humbled and honoured when our own star mare Imperatriz won the Group 1 Black Caviar Lightning Stakes at Flemington earlier this year.  The members of Black Caviar's ownership group who we met were so delighted to support a race saluting their grand mare - just as we felt so privileged to see her win it.

The New York Times today commented ~ credit Yan Zhuang

She transcended racing to become a household name in Australia and revived, for a time, a sport in decline. At the height of her career, she graced the cover of Vogue, met Queen Elizabeth II and had her own line of shampoo and conditioner.

Black Caviar, the Australian racehorse whose unbeaten streak of 25 victories from 2009 to 2013 made her a cultural icon, died on Saturday, one day before her 18th birthday.

Her death was confirmed by the Victoria Racing Club in a statement. Australian news media reported that her trainer, Peter Moody, said Black Caviar was euthanized after giving birth to a foal because she was suffering from laminitis, a painful disease that affects the hooves of horses. Mr. Moody could not immediately be reached for confirmation.

Between 2009 and 2013, Black Caviar won 25 races from 25 starts, earning more than $5.3 million (about 8 million Australian dollars) in prize money. From 2010 to 2013, she was ranked the world’s best sprinter racehorse by the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities. Some media outlets described her as “the world’s most popular racehorse.”

“Very rarely do we get a hose that transcends the sport,” Matt Hill, an Australian race caller, told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation on Sunday, “but everybody, even if they didn’t follow horseracing, knew who Black Caviar was.”

At times, Black Caviar’s fame transcended her equine nature. In 2012, she was named “sportswoman of the year” by one newspaper, controversially beating out a human Olympic hurdling champion, Sally Pearson. That same year, Black Caviar became the first animal to be featured on the cover of Vogue Australia.

“The statuesque bay mare is not our everyday cover girl, yet she is undeniably beautiful,” the magazine said at the time.

One of Black Caviar’s most dramatic victories came at the Royal Ascot in England in 2012, where the local press began calling her the “Wonder From Down Under.” Her jockey, Luke Nolen, had eased up just before the finish line, and another horse threatened to snatch victory from Black Caviar. But she prevailed, and after the race, Queen Elizabeth II gave her a pat on the nose.

Black Caviar at her peak of fame inspired a fervor in Australia that sold out events where attendance had previously been declining, racing experts have said.

At races, spectators waved flags in her colors: salmon pink with black polka dots. Some wore ties in that pattern — sold through Black Caviar’s official store, which was also where the collection of horse shampoo and conditioner products was available.

“She makes people feel good about themselves, and it is certain that one day old-timers will boast of having seen her race,” Wayne Peake, an Australian racing historian, said in 2012.

Writing about a race in the city of Adelaide that year, he said, “There is a sense that Black Caviar’s visit was the equine equivalent of one by the queen on royal tour duty, venturing out to visit her subjects at the far reaches of her empire.”

In 2013, Mr. Moody said that Black Caviar would retire and be used for breeding. “She’s done everything we asked her to do; she couldn’t possibly have done any more,” he said at the time.

The retirement made headlines. Julia Gillard, then Australia’s prime minister, said on social media: “We’ve never seen anything like Black Caviar before and may never again.”

Black Caviar would go on to have nine foals in total, according to racing.com, including Prince of Caviar, Out Of Caviar, Ready For Caviar and Invincible Caviar.

When she retired, Gerard Whateley, a journalist and race caller who wrote a biography of the horse, said, “She’s meant everything to Australian racing,” an industry in decline, and had “reminded everyone that there’s such a predisposition toward loving racehorses in this country.”

“She seemed to give everyone an emotional stake when she ran,” he added.

Racing.com also reported:

Tributes have flowed for champion mare Black Caviar following her sudden passing on Saturday.

Connections announced her tragic death after giving birth to a Snitzel foal, leaving the racing community heartbroken.

Leading the tributes was the wife of Black Caviar’s regular jockey Luke Nolen, Alicia Nolen.

"Of all the photos of Black Caviar, this is Luke’s favourite (main picture). Rest In Peace Nelly, thanks for all you did for our family and racing. You truly changed our lives and we are heartbroken today,” Nolen posted on X.

RV Interim Chief Executive, Aaron Morrison, said: “Black Caviar was the people’s champion and there is no doubt that her passing will touch many. 

“The night Melbournians packed out Federation Square to watch her conquer the world at Royal Ascot was testimony to her popularity. 

“Racing fans here and abroad are privileged to have witnessed a career that is unparalleled remaining unbeaten in 25 starts, all at the elite level.

“On behalf of Racing Victoria and the broader industry, I would like to extend our condolences to Peter Moody, Luke Nolen and her owners who loved her dearly.

“Black Caviar will be forever remembered as a champion of the Australian turf. She is a horse that brought joy to so many.”

Victoria Racing Club (VRC) Chairman Neil Wilson extended his condolences on behalf of the VRC. 

“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,” Wilson said.  

“The VRC was privileged to have Black Caviar race at Flemington and to have the Lightning Stakes named after her in 2013, a race she won three times including the first year it was named in her honour.  

“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.” 

Postscript - sadly her Snitzel colt was also lost, passing away on Sunday evening.