We love to give sporting champions from the animal world human characteristics. We assign them courage, class and determination. In some cases the reverse is true – how many athletes have had a heart as big as Phar Lap?
So, in a reflective mood this week, while discussing the best sporting moments of 2012, it was interesting to hear a friend of mine say that an animal couldn’t take top billing.
That led to a detailed discussion about the efforts of champion mare Black Caviar.
How could she not be a contender? Her appearances transcended sport.
Horse racing, for most of the year, is the domain of those who flick straight to the form guide, but Black Caviar became a news story.
Her appearances took days at the track that had previously held huge interest for the minority and turned them into events for the majority.
She even moved the start time of an AFL game! They wouldn’t shift for FIFA, but the biggest football code in Australia bowed to the brilliance of Black Caviar.
The crowning glory came at Royal Ascot in England where she took out the Diamond Jubilee Stakes.
The queen of the turf just got home to remain undefeated, but only after a quick and frantic re-ignition sequence was carried out on her cooling engines by jockey Luke Nolen.
She might’ve been almost embarrassed and had muscles that were screaming for relief, but despite the slim margin of victory it was still mission complete for Peter Moody’s mare.
Ah, Luke Nolen. The man who was widely maligned for the ride that almost brought the streak to an end.
Few would realise that Black Caviar was at breaking point and he was trying incredibly hard to avoid becoming the man who was on her back when she broke down.
Clearly not agreeing on the merit of human versus animal, we moved on to where Nolen sits in this year’s conversation.
It will be interesting to see if anyone gives him credit when discussing the highs and lows of the last 12 months.
We’ll marvel at the dramatic ending to Sally Pearson’s 100 metre hurdles race at the London Olympics or the tense final chapter between Anna Meares and Victoria Pendleton at the velodrome, but what about Nolen?
Did he just sit on the back of one of the greatest race horses the world has ever seen or did he play a significant part in the success story?
Nolen has been on Black Caviar’s back for 19 of her remarkable 22 consecutive wins, but would she have won with any old hoop on board?
In the yearly sporting reviews the mare will get due recognition alongside Pearson and Meares, but Nolen could be the forgotten part of the story.
That shouldn’t be the case though.
Anyone who has seen what a jockey goes through to compete will realise the sport takes a remarkable toll on their body.
Black Caviar was the reward for the effort.
That was just about the only point we did agree on.
Neuen
Roar Rookie
If a jockey test positive for a banned substance do he get disqualified?
millane
Guest
waiting on corey barnardi to offer his thoughts on the naming of animal as sports-woman of the year
Atawhai Drive
Guest
A Sydney newspaper has named Black Caviar as its Sportswoman of the Year. Unbelievable.
greg
Guest
Luke - No, she fell in at Ascot in a race that was well below her best. As to Johno's question, I put Might & Power on top (by 3 lengths) of Super Impose, with BC a neck back in third. The winning streak is a good story but is littered with runs against second raters. In my opinion her only runs to match the efforts of Might & Power (Caulfield Cup, Melb Cup, BMW & Cox), and Super (4 Mile wins at Randwick and a Cox Plate) were her Newmarket in 2011, TJ Smith and the Lightning in 2012. I put the Lightning as her top run for sheer class (coming back from 1400m, running a sub 10s furlong early, and beating Hay List who was on top of his game that day). In fact I think that was the best effort by a sprinter in my life time.
Justin Cinque
Expert
Hi Luke, I think the future is bright for her. She's had plenty of time off since her trip to England and I think we can expect to see a refreshed Black Caviar in the first half of 2013. Just how many more starts she has is another question. Moody and the owners won't take any risks and I suspect they want her retired in time for next year's breeding season which starts in the spring. So maybe four or five starts for Cav in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane and that's it. And, I suppose that will include farewells in all those cities and maybe, maybe just one more clash with her arch-rival Hay List. Of course, he's recovering from an injury as well. She won't have to travel to breed - she can have her pick of the Aussie (and Aussie-based) sires. But if she is to have a dream match-up with Frankel she would have to travel because he's standing at stud in England. And her bloodline is so impeccable - mum Helsinge having produced the likes of All Too Hard as well as Cav - that BC may be a good producing mare herself.
Luke Doherty
Roar Guru
Sorry - 1 more thing mate - when she does breed - will she stay here or will she have to travel?
Luke Doherty
Roar Guru
Thanks Bondy, it's not often I wade into the world of horse racing, but I think the Black Cav story pretty much captured all sports fans. Have just started reading Gerard Whately's book - pretty good read and a few behind the scenes things as well. Not bad at all.
Luke Doherty
Roar Guru
And by that I mean - in terms of racing in 2013 - rather than going to the breeding stage.
Luke Doherty
Roar Guru
I guess it's sporting moments from an Australian point of view, but not exclusively Australian sporting moments if that makes sense. A friend and I were more kicking around just general moments of the year. The EPL finish was amazing. Looks like United's to lose this year though doesn't it?
Luke Doherty
Roar Guru
I actually think Felix Baumgartner who jumped from near space is worth a mention on any list sport/news this year. Fair effort. Does it belong in a sport countdown though?
Luke Doherty
Roar Guru
Justin - from an expert like yourself - what do you think the future is like for her?
Luke Doherty
Roar Guru
That's an interesting take Peeeko. I'm not a horse racing fanatic, but definitely got caught up in the Caviar hype. I guess she can only beat what's in the barriers beside her though. No doubt great PR for the sport.
Bondy.
Guest
Johnny nevin, The question could be posed how would've M @ P have gone instead of So You Think in Europe(predominately england) ,So You Think wasn't in it in the Arc.
johnny nevin is a legend
Guest
According to Timeform they rate the horses best performances as follows, Black Caviar 136, Might & Power 133 and Super Impose 128, is this a fair assessment? Might & Power gets the same rating as So You Think, 133 is a good rating, 128 is an above average Group 1 winner.
Bondy.
Guest
Hi Justin . You've weighed up the pros an cons well there,and yes I would conceed Supers cox plate win was the strongest field i've seen jump in the race, I think out of that field Better Loosen up "Hayes" went on to win the Japan Cup also same year.
Johnno
Guest
Bondy, it's a question like saying who is the World's best fast bowler of all time. or the best aussy batsmen since Bradman. Such a hard question to answer. M and Power has gone longer distances so maybe M@P, but Black Cavier is amazing, and Super Impose was a freak of a horse so much ability.
Bondy.
Guest
Enjoyabe read Luke good subject matter.
Bondy.
Guest
Johnno, I'd just have to tip it Black Caviars way although undeafetd but has not won at a mile then M@P he was a machine then Super won of he's epsom or Doncaster wins was freakish with Beadman on board..
Brian
Guest
A horse is not an athlete its an animal. Your friend is right. Also the AFL who you claim would not move for FIFA have changed their fixture for next year for Man U.
Mantis
Roar Guru
Im guessing your talking about the best Australian sporting moments? If so, it is hard to top BC. The best worldwide sporting moment had to be the climax to the EPL season, the two injury time goals to Man City, to beat United who, when the fulltime whistle blew in their game, thought they were champions. We wont see a finish like that again for a very long time.