At the moment, in racing circles, it seems almost remiss to discuss our great sport without talking about the wonder mare Black Caviar.
I’ve pondered for days how to approach Black Caviar without repeating what has already been written. It is perhaps a task that is impossible these days, for so much has already been said. There is hardly an original angle left.
Trust me – as a lover of horse racing, I’d much rather be in a position where everything has been covered as opposed to one where no one cares.
This got me thinking about the unprecedented media coverage surrounding every bit player in the Black Caviar story.
How will history tell the story of Nelly, the mare who took on all comers and – to date anyway – defeated them all?
On her racetrack feats alone, Black Caviar must rank amongst the legends of the sport. But it is impossible to compare gallopers from different eras and arguments or theoretical match ups are futile.
But what can be compared is the public reaction to different racehorses. It is for this reason alone that I think Black Caviar will occupy a place alongside Phar Lap in Australian folklore.
To be fair, it is almost impossible to make such a bold statement confidently until her racing career is over. Take a look at American mare Zenyatta: unbeaten in her first 19 starts, she was defeated by the aptly named Blame at her 20th and final start in the 2010 Breeders’ Cup Classic. That final race changed everything that would have been written about her.
However, it hasn’t stopped scribes from trying. There are already a number of books that have been written, including the official account penned by Gerard Whateley. There are tributes galore on Youtube.
In years from now, I don’t think it is her ability which will be the talking point of racing fans. She’s obviously freakishly talented, an unbeaten record says it all.
What has been unique throughout her career is the level of fascination amongst the public at large, not just racing fans.
Racing has had many champions over the years. Many have had extraordinary ability, but what has made the very best stand out is the place they have occupied amongst the collective heart of the nation.
Phar Lap is a primary example. His racing record was freakish, but I doubt he was a better horse than the likes of Carbine and Tulloch. Perhaps even a horse like Kingston Town could be mentioned in the same breath when it comes to ability.
But what makes Phar Lap such an intrinsic part of Australian folklore was the manner in which he captured the public’s attention. He was truly a horse of the people.
There are a number of reasons why he was so dear to the public. Racing in the midst of the Great Depression, he provided hope when optimism was scant. He, like the ordinary worker, was a battler.
He’d looked hopeless at his first few starts, before slowly developing into one of the greatest gallopers this country had seen.
He took on the world in Mexico’s Agua Caliente Handicap and beat them. And then, in a shocking twist more suited to a Shakespearean tragedy, he was dead.
It is a moot point to suggest Phar Lap’s legend would not be as strong had he not died in California, for we’ll never know that answer.
However, Phar Lap had already won the hearts of a nation. Whatever happened, he goes down in the history books as the best galloper Australia has ever seen.
The Phar Lap story has plenty of pointers to suggest how Black Caviar’s career will be remembered once her racing days are finished.
It suggests she will forever remain among the ranks of our greatest horses. And it will be because of the incredible public reaction, in addition to her superb racetrack feats, that she will gain such high respect.
The fact she has garnered such publicity is extraordinary and – in recent times anyway – quite rare.
Look at Makybe Diva, for instance. It wasn’t until very late in her career that she became a race club’s dream – bringing extra people through the gates, gaining day after day of back page coverage.
At the very least, it wasn’t until she had won her second Melbourne Cup that she gained the recognition she deserved.
It took until her final preparation – after she had won two Melbourne Cups, been beaten so narrowly in a Caulfield Cup, and won an Australian Cup, The BMW and a Sydney Cup in breathtaking fashion – for her to become the media darling for which she is remembered.
Black Caviar achieved that feat far quicker. Perhaps she was fortunate to have the early part of her career staggered, due to injury more than the patience of her owners. Indeed, in the first 18 months of her career, she only had six starts.
She already had the attention of the racing world – most keen observers knew she was good after her first start and believed she was destined for Group 1 class after her second start.
But by her 10th win, her Newmarket Handicap victory in March 2011, she was already bringing in crowds beyond those who would generally go racing. She was bringing in those who would only be interested in racing come the Melbourne Cup each year.
By the time she came to Sydney a month later, her place in the annals of racing folklore was secure. Wins in Brisbane and Adelaide added to the mystique, while feats like winning the Lightning Stakes a week after winning the C F Orr Stakes saw her gain even more credibility.
And yet, like Phar Lap, she almost had her Shakespearean tragedy when she was almost beaten in the Diamond Jubilee Stakes.
I will never forget the funereal atmosphere trackside at Royal Ascot. Estimates were that at least a tenth of the crowd were Australian, which in itself is a large statement of her widespread popularity.
I’ve told my mates many times it was like Ascot Racecourse was the seventh Australian state that day.
She may have won by a nose, but as she came back into the parade ring, you would have thought she’d lost given the glum faces of every Australian.
We knew how good she was. We wanted to Brits to see it on their turf.
Hindsight is a wonderful thing, and looking back now, it ranks as one of her finest performances. So much was against her, and yet, she still managed to hold off some of the world’s best sprinters.
What a horse.
And so, history will remember Black Caviar as one of the finest racehorses we have ever seen. And while her career needs no glorification, it seems that the public’s love affair with the great mare will lead to the story being romanticised – just as Phar Lap’s story has been over the years.
Take the chance to see her in the flesh while you can. It will be something to brag about one day, I assure you.
W Allen
Guest
Something that doesn't get mentioned much, was her ability to win while injured. The 2 races I refer to are her 4th win where she knuckled at the starting stalls and beat a very good horse in Wanted. The other was her win at Ascot, where it was found she had torn muscles quite badly and still won. The margin then would have been about a length, if Nolan hadn't goofed
Dennis J Rimmer
Guest
You all forgot about Ajax,37 races for 30 wins,5 seconds,2 thirds,from 1000m to 2500m,won first 18 straight,then 2nd at 40 to 1 on by 1/2 a length,not too shabby.
Matt.f
Guest
I know now that this mare is the greatest thing ever in the history if racing, sorry frankel and phar lap but I will be telling my grand kids of the phenomenon of the greatest racing horse ( couldn't care less about sprinters or stayers) of all time!!! Retire her soon, she's done enough!!
Mark
Guest
Great article. Spot on. She captured the imagination of the public (primarily for her unbeaten streak) and it's fair to say she should be ranked against Pharlap. I just love her.
johnny nevin is a legend
Guest
Frankel is rated a better because he has beaten better rated horses by bigger distances or equivalent distances, that's basically it.
Tavis
Roar Rookie
That's the one Here De Angels, couldnt for the life of me remember it's name.
Ted
Guest
Thanks for that - I think Ozzie race tragics remain too Ozzie centric . Australia has often delivered a great sprinter - many never travelled eg Luskin Star - but many set awesome records . However time records are not the legacy of BC . Her legacy is will to win . History includes the great Bernborough who used to fly from last in the field to win races - time was irrelevant . Also when comparing contemporary records with say Frankel - it must be noted that its not just about winning Group 1 races - but the class of fields - Frankel continually beat fields full of Group I winners - winners against many others but defeated by Frankel . Lets just love her for what she has achieved - not try to set the standard by assuming what we don't know and which sadly her connections were not brave enough to reach for .
Ted
Guest
Frankel is now retired to stud in September after his last win - he did also win by a street at Ascot over1600 in the same Ascot week that BC ran over 1200 .
Sunline
Guest
Tavis. The horse that Peter Moody did not want Black Caviar to be in the barrier stalls next to in that Melbourne race was Here De Angels. Here De Angels was renowned for playing up in the barriers and that is why Peter Moody asked That BC be moved out one extra. You are right in saying that if it was any other horse other than BC, the response from the VRC would have been no. There is no doubt in my mind that Black Caviar is the best sprinter in Australia, but you must realise that the unbeaten record that still stands has been orchestrated perfectly by a team of higher sources. It is all revenue related. Money sways media, pays off jockeys etc...Richie Calendar interviewed one of the jocks after a Sydney race that BC was in. The jockey explained to him that he shat himself after the first four hundred metres of the race when he relised he was sitting one out and one back, but boxing in BC. He explained to Richie that he didnt want to be responsible for causing BC to be beaten so he pulled his horse three wide and cost himself any chance of a win. It was after that interview that i decided to never back another horse again. Too much rorting going on. Moody will continue to avoid handicap races as he has done for the last year as he cant risk BC being beaten by a lightweight, and stuffing up the record.He will bypass the Newmarket and go for the easy option in the William Reid. I wish he would put her in the Newmarket with 61.5kg and let her prove herself against a big field. Money will always play the biggest part in most sporting events for reasons that we find out down the track or sometimes not all; and thus results will be controversial, and historical results changed. Lance Armstrong fooling the world and now having his 7 Tour de France titles stripped is one. Marie Jose Perec leaving Sydney days before her race in the 2000 Olympics mysteriously, and thus handing Cathy Freeman the Gold is another. My favourite was the VRC agreeing to watering the track at Flemington on the morning of the 2006 Melbourne Cup so that the owners didn't scratch Makybe Diva from the race. Makybe Diva went on to win becoming the first horse to win three Melbourne Cups in a row and also become the highest stakes earner in Australasia. It saddens me to see all this controversy,lack of integrity, rorting, and I feel we are all being played for fools. The swindlers are fooling the world. Sporting and racing are becoming more and more shonky.
Tavis
Roar Rookie
Not doubting Frankel's talent, but would love to know how unbeaten at 14 starts is "the worlds best horse" and unbeaten at 23 is not!?!? Protected species in terms of when and what she's run, maybe, but she's won 13 group 1s, and 7 group 2s, if there were better horses out there she would have been beaten by now. The only time I reall thought she got special treatment was 1 race in Melbourne, she was drawn outside, in a small field, and she started from 1 gate wider than she drew, to keep her away from a serial pest at the barriers, can't for the life of me remember the horses name either. But it stuck in my mind, as I'm sure most other horses would have been told to start where they were drawn. I love BC and have a fantastic photo of me holding the Goodwood trophy that she won last year, thanks to one of her fantastic owners! Will cherish that moment forever. P.S. really hoping she makes it back to Morphettville again this year.
Sunline
Guest
Unbeaten records. Frankel is the worlds best horse of his generation decimating rivals by up to 12 lengths and more over distances up to 10 furlongs. Black Caviar is a fantastic sprinter with an unbeaten record up to 7 furlongs.
Neuen
Roar Rookie
Oh for interest sake can anyone tell me what Frankell and Black Caviar got in common?
Neuen
Roar Rookie
How well do you think Frankell will do in Australia?
Sunline
Guest
Fantastic comments Ted. You will have some of the Black Caviar Tragics seething; but you have hit the nail on the head. It is something that many people and the silly media fail to realise. Well Done.
Ted
Guest
Capturing the public's imagination is indeed the hallmark for Black Cavier - even I remember Mighty Tulloch in the same way in his time . However there is a flaw when comparing her with the very best . BC's record is a managed and restricted series . The great horses took on all comers in the top races and the "greats" won whether 1400 or Derby distance . BC's connections failure to risk their champion against the best at the globally accepted distances - as wins built - selection got tighter to protect the record . Not only is she unproved even at Doncaster distance in Australia but nowhere else either . We can all name our all time favourites but just on the facts look at credentials that back others claims in the minds of racing tragics. Secretariat took on everyone ,which is how it is in America ,won a triple crown in three records including a world record for 11/2 miles at Belmont not beaten for a generation, winning on the bit by 15 lengths . The point is beating the best of the day AND a world record Others have laid down their markers and risked their record by recognising only beating the best counts . . BC has not taken on all comers , not tested the champions ' distance, and even in her favourite distances has not showered us with records Therefore, Great but not "the Great" . I was at Ascot for BC - the atmosphere was fantastic - all racing came to see her- every expat sure but the Locals flooded the turn styles as well - she has certainly captured the imagination - her gutsy win only recognised after the race , nevertheless BC did not leave the public with what they came for - a champions runaway ,or spectacular closing run . The connections clearly avoided taking on the great Frankel - now recognised as the best of his generation (and BC's) - there is none in Europe that thinks BC would beat Frankel - except maybe 1000 or 1200 . We will never know and that is the point . Not ever taking on Frankel after being prepared to come to Europe leaves the connections unproven and relying on their well managed but nevertheless still aChampion's win record in sprint races . I love her and won't forget Ascot - but you have to be the best in your own generation before you push aside earlier greats - and her program has denied us ever knowing . All the Greats risked to fail .
Neuen
Roar Rookie
Its got Danzig and Northern Dancer in its line those kept the genes going from producing some quality horses. I just hope people from Europe and Australia keep their horses away from America cause that is a career ender in those courses. Another interesting thing I was once told is that Stallions struggle in Australia due to the climate being too hot for them. And something to do with their balls haha
Andrew Hawkins
Expert
I completely misread your comment! Hahaha. I do know how much time and money goes in, but Rick Jamieson is a freak as a breeder so I'm not surprised to see him produce a filly of this quality.
Neuen
Roar Rookie
lol Breeding race horses How much do you think that horse cost them to get the product they got now. Below I posted a some its bloodline which must have cost a pretty penny. You can have the complete breeding line here of the horse. http://www.pedigreequery.com/black+caviar Not many realize how much time and money go into the breeding of the horses. Its not so much a coin toss as its use to be
Andrew Hawkins
Expert
Um...?
Neuen
Roar Rookie
How much do you think they paid on animal porn to reach their product?