Black Caviar - the unbeaten 25

Date: 18 April 2009 

Racecourse: Flemington, Victoria  

Racename: Cromwell Handicap (1000m) 

Track condition: Dead (4)  

Black Caviar’s first race start and her Flemington debut came in April 2009 after winning a trial handily at Cranbourne a fortnight earlier. Looking at the racebook that day, who would have guessed she would become a legend? Her sire, Bel Esprit, had won the time-honoured Maribyrnong Plate (1000m) here back in 2001 on his way to a Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m) success. Black Caviar’s grand-dam, Scandinavia, had been placed four times up the Flemington straight, including placings in three of Australia’s premier Group 1 sprints: the VRC Newmarket Handicap (1200m), the VRC Lightning Stakes (1000m), and the VRC Sprint Classic (1200m). Ridden by then Western Australian apprentice Jarrad Noske, Black Caviar made light work of her fellow two-year-olds to win by five lengths over the short course. Her starting price of $3 is the longest odds that were ever be offered on the filly. She would start odds-on at every future start.  

Date: 2 May 2009 

Racecourse: Caulfield, Victoria  

Racename: Listed Blue Sapphire Stakes (1200m) 

Track condition: Good (3)  

She headed to Caulfield for her first black-type race, the Listed Blue Sapphire Stakes (1200m) for two-year-olds. Stepping up to 1200 metres only extended her winning margin, leading all the way to win by six lengths. Apprentice Jarrad Noske was back in the saddle of the promising young filly. Although he couldn’t use his apprentice weight allowance due to the race being a stakes event, Black Caviar handled the 57.5kg with ease. She completed the six-furlong event in 1 minute 9.76 seconds, almost a second faster than the three-year-olds ran earlier in the day and nearly two seconds faster than the open-age mares ran in the last race on the card. She looks to be something special. 

Date: 22 August 2009 

Racecourse: Moonee Valley, Victoria  

Racename: Listed William Crockett Stakes (1200m) 

Track condition: Good (2)  

After a spell over winter, Black Caviar is now a three-year-old and returns to racing for her first appearance at Moonee Valley against her own age and sex. The set weights with penalties conditions see her allotted topweight with 56.5kg. Luke Nolen takes his first race ride on the filly but is well-accustomed to her talent after trialling and galloping her previously. Black Caviar copped a bump and settled outside the leader, but turning for home she poured the pressure onto the leader and upon straightening, had claimed the lead in a bound. She pricked her ears, signalling how easy she was doing it and strode away to a nearly four-length winning margin. 

Date: 5 September 2009 

Racecourse: Flemington, Victoria  

Racename: Group 2 Danehill Stakes (1200m) 

Track condition: Good (3) 

The buzz and excitement surrounding Black Caviar lifted again as she headed back to Flemington to take on Group 2 company and her new stablemate, Wanted, in the Danehill Stakes (1200m). The race had just been promoted to Group 2 status, given its recent honour roll of top-quality three-year-olds. This time she blundered at the start but mustered to reach the front within the first 400 metres. Wanted was having his first Melbourne start for new trainer Peter Moody, pushing her all the way to the line, and a three-quarter length margin provided the unbeaten filly with her toughest test to date. Black Caviar injured her back from her rough jump from the gates and was sent for a spell. Wanted would go on to prove to be a top-class horse in his own right, avoiding Black Caviar in his remaining nine career starts, placing in multiple Group 1 sprints and claiming the 2010 Group 1 VRC Newmarket Handicap (1200m).  

Date: 22 January 2010 

Racecourse: Moonee Valley, Victoria  

Racename: Group 2 Australia Stakes (1200m) 

Track condition: Good (3)  

After a four-month spell, Black Caviar returned to Moonee Valley for the Group 2 Australia Stakes (1200m), running under the lights for the first time. This was her first run in open company, as a three-year-old filly against older horses. She settled outside second favourite Here De Angels in the small field of five and on the banking turn of Moonee Valley, looked to have her rival well and truly covered. Nolen said go on the filly and she raced away to secure a fifth win by 2.5 lengths. She’s back! Runner-up Here De Angels went on to win the Group 3 Rubiton Stakes (1100m) at his next outing, claiming the 1100-metre course record before dead-heating for second in the Group 1 Oakleigh Plate (1100m) at Caulfield.  

Date: 9 October 2010 

Racecourse: Caulfield, Victoria  

Racename: Group 2 Schillaci Stakes (1000m) 

Track condition: Good (3)  

Following her win in the Group 2 Australia Stakes (1200m), Black Caviar was accepted to run in the Group 1 William Reid Stakes (1200m) at Moonee Valley, but a minor injury saw the filly scratched on race morning, ending hopes for a first Group 1. She was sent to the paddock to rehabilitate. After nine months off the scene, trainer Peter Moody believed the spell had helped the now four-year-old mare mature, filling out her large frame. She won a barrier trial in the lead-up to the Group 2 Schillaci Stakes (1000m) at her home venue of Caulfield, and despite her injury-enforced layoff, jumped a warm $1.80 favourite of the eight-horse field. She led the field, which consisted of Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m) winner Star Witness and Group 2 winners Mic Mac and First Command. She looked in control throughout and slipped away from the field early in the straight, easing down late to record a 1.25-length win, in a slick time of 56.68 seconds. Six from six! 

Date: 23 October 2010 

Racecourse: Moonee Valley, Victoria  

Racename: Group 2 Schweppes Stakes (1200m) 

Track condition: Dead (4)  

Two weeks later, she contested the Group 2 Schweppes Stakes (1200m) on Cox Plate Day at Moonee Valley, traditionally known as the AJ Moir Stakes, which was subsequently given Group 1 status. A small field of six turned out, deterred by Black Caviar’s formidable reputation, with established Group 1 sprinter Hot Danish sitting alone on the second line of betting but posing little threat to the Peter Moody-trained mare. She was in a class of her own, winning by a scintillating 5.5 lengths, to record her seventh win in a row. She solidified her class as one of the top sprinters in the country, but she was still yet to tick that Group 1 box; it felt like it was only a matter of time. Cox Plate Day racegoers also witnessed the Bart Cummings-trained So You Think claim his second Cox Plate. 

Date: 6 November 2010 

Racecourse: Flemington, Victoria  

Racename: Group 1 Patinack Farm Classic (1200m) 

Track condition: Dead (4)  

Stakes Day, on the last day of the 2010 Melbourne Cup Carnival was the scene for Black Caviar’s first triumph at the highest level. The Group 1 Patinack Farm Classic (1200m) looked like the race to deliver the mare her first Group 1 victory. However, with regular rider Luke Nolen sidelined due to suspension, Ben Melham took the reins, becoming just the third jockey to ride her in a race. Former Perth sprinter Hay List had been transferred to the east coast and into the care of trainer John McNair. He headed to Flemington off the back of three successive wins, including a Group 1 Manikato Stakes (1200m) win and a success down the straight in the Group 2 Gilgai Stakes (1200m). Blue Diamond-winner Star Witness was backing up from Derby Day, where he took out the feature three-year-old sprint, the Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m). He was third favourite and the only other horse in single figures in the betting. But Black Caviar’s effortless, high-cruising speed was on full display, controlling the tempo from the jump and recording a four-length victory easing down to the line in 1 minute 7.96 seconds, just outside the course record. Her first Group 1 victory was fittingly earned against Australia’s best sprinters, with all six rivals winning Group 1s throughout their careers. 

Date: 19 February 2011 

Racecourse: Flemington, Victoria  

Racename: Group 1 Coolmore Lightning Stakes (1000m) 

Track condition: Dead (4)  

The new year saw Black Caviar back at Flemington, looking for her second Group 1 in the Coolmore Lightning Stakes (1000m). An honour roll littered with some of Australia’s greatest sprinters. Luke Nolen was reunited with his star mare and bounced well from the barriers to share the lead early, with her main danger, if he was even considered a danger, Hay List, sitting on her flank. But soon after passing the 500-metre mark, Nolen allowed the mare to stride forward, and she effortlessly surged clear, with just a shake of the reins, winning with her ears pricked by just over three lengths. Second placegetter Hay List had won 12 of his first 14 starts before his uncharacteristic sixth place behind the great mare in the Patinack Farm Classic on Stakes Day 2010. He would find himself running second to Black Caviar three more times throughout his career.  

Date: 12 March 2011 

Racecourse: Flemington, Victoria  

Racename: Group 1 Lexus Newmarket Handicap (1200m) 

Track condition: Good (3)  

The 138th running of the time-honoured VRC Newmarket Handicap (1200m) was the mare’s next target, and a win would see her set a weight-carrying record for mares. She was allotted top weight of 58kg, three kilograms more than second highest weight of 55kg, designated for Group 1 Oakleigh Plate (1100m) winner Eagle Falls. Hay List, runner-up to Black Caviar in the Lightning, was scratched on the morning of the Newmarket Handicap on veterinary advice, after shoulder soreness. Crystal Lily, winner of the 2010 Group 1 Golden Slipper (1200m), now a three-year-old, had 8kg less than Black Caviar but it did little to impact the great mare, who carried the weight and expectations of the racing world to a historic tenth win from as many starts. Registering a three-length victory in a race record time of 1 minute 7.36 seconds, just shy of the Iglesia’s course record set in 2001 of 1 minute 7.16 seconds. A third Group 1 win to her name and the records continued to fall. Course broadcaster Greg Miles captured the moment brilliantly as she crossed the line: "Black Caviar, perfect!" 

Date: 25 March 2011 

Racecourse: Moonee Valley, Victoria  

Racename: Group 1 William Reid Stakes (1200m) 

Track condition: Good (3) 

The mare returned to Moonee Valley to settle some unfinished business. The previous year, she was the odds-on favourite for the 2010 Group 1 William Reid Stakes (1200m) but was scratched on race morning due to injury. The 1200-metre race used to be run in January and was won by the great Manikato five times. Black Caviar seemed unbeatable at the weight-for-age scale after her effortless performance with 58kg in the Group 1 VRC Newmarket Handicap (1200m). She met Crystal Lily 5.5kg better at the weights for beating her three lengths in the Newmarket. The betting market reflected this, with Black Caviar starting at a staggering $1.09. After sitting just behind the leaders, she effortlessly cruised past Crystal Lily and True Persuasion, easing down in the last 100 metres to score by 1.75 lengths. She joined Miss Andretti as the only other horse to claim all three sprints (VRC Lightning Stakes, VRC Newmarket Handicap, MVRC William Reid Stakes) in the same year. 

Date: 9 April 2011 

Racecourse: Randwick, New South Wales  

Racename: Group 1 TJ Smith Stakes (1200m) 

Track condition: Dead (4)  

Start twelve offered a new challenge for Black Caviar: travelling interstate and racing in the opposite direction for the first time. She travelled to Randwick for the Group 1 TJ Smith Stakes (1200m) at weight-for-age level, and another meeting with Hay List. Since their last clash, Hay List had won the Group 2 Challenge Stakes (1000m) at Warwick Farm at short odds. The betting had the mare starting at $1.14, while Hay List started an incredible $21 equal-second favourite with previous combatant Crystal Lily and AJC Derby winner Shoot Out. Luke Nolen made the trip to Sydney and stalked Hay List in the run, as he looked the main danger, if any. By the time they topped the famous rise at Randwick, Nolen hadn’t moved; the crowd went wild as she lengthened stride and raced to a three-length win, only half a second outside the course record. 

Date: 14 May 2011 

Racecourse: Doomben, Queensland  

Racename: Group 1 BTC Cup (1200m) 

Track condition: Dead (4)  

Start thirteen and now Brisbane gets its chance to see Black Caviar at her best during their winter carnival. The Group 1 BTC Cup (1200m) has been won by some of Australian racing’s greats, such as Bernborough, Manikato, and Takeover Target. A field of eight assembled and Hay List also made the trip to have another crack at the mare. He would have to settle for second once again, two lengths the margin this time. A crowd of over 20,000 descended on Doomben Racecourse to catch a glimpse of the equine superstar strutting her stuff – the biggest crowd in decades. She received a rousing reception as she returned to scale after giving trainer Peter Moody another Group 1 in his home state, recording her fifth Group 1 win in the process. 

Date: 8 October 2011 

Racecourse: Caulfield, Victoria  

Racename: Group 2 Schillaci Stakes (1000m) 

Track condition: Dead (4)  

After a winter break, Black Caviar resumes racing in the 1000-metre Group 2 Schillaci Stakes at Caulfield, a race she had previously won in 2010. Now a fully furnished five-year-old mare, she took a sit off the hot speed set by three-year-old filly Karuta Queen. Approaching the turn, it was evident that the mare was travelling strongly, cruising past the filly under a hold from jockey Luke Nolen. When asked for an effort, she raced clear to win by four-and-a-quarter lengths. She started $1.07 in the betting, and at this point, racegoers are backing Black Caviar just to have the ticket as a souvenir. 

Date: 22 October 2011 

Racecourse: Moonee Valley, Victoria  

Racename: Group 2 Schweppes Stakes (1200m) 

Track condition: Dead (4)  

Aiming for her fifteenth consecutive win, she once again returns for Cox Plate Day to contest the Group 2 Schweppes Stakes (1200m). Only four rivals were brave enough to take on the formidable mare, a number that reduced to three with the scratching of Balavan. Her competitors included stablemate and winter champion Doubtful Jack, Here De Angels (having his fourth start for new trainer Wendy Roche), and Group 1 star sprinter Scenic Blast, who was returning from an international campaign that saw him race in the UK, Japan, Hong Kong, and the USA. The result? A six-length victory, equalling her career-best winning margin, delivered in her signature leisurely style as she cruised into the straight for the adoring Moonee Valley crowd. It was essentially a track gallop, and her shortest starting price to date, $1.05. With this win, she passed the 14 consecutive victories recorded by Phar Lap in the 1930s and Carbine in the 1890s. Bernborough won 15 on end in the 1940s. 

Date: 5 November 2011 

Racecourse: Flemington, Victoria  

Racename: Group 1 Patinack Farm Classic (1200m) 

Track condition: Good (3)  

Black Caviar lined up for a second Group 1 Patinack Farm Classic (1200m) on the final day of the Melbourne Cup Carnival. A record crowd of 85,000 packed into Flemington, many of them waving flags in her racing colours, to catch a glimpse of the equine superstar. She was at her glorious best, effortlessly accounting for a seven-horse field and defeating Queensland sprinter Buffering by two and three-quarter lengths. She put an exclamation mark on an extraordinary 2011 campaign with eight wins, six of them at Group 1 level. 

Date: 27 January 2012 

Racecourse: Moonee Valley, Victoria  

Racename: Group 2 Australia Stakes (1200m) 

Track condition: Good (3)  

It’s a happy new year for Black Caviar when she returns to Moonee Valley under the lights for the Group 2 Australia Stakes at weight-for-age. She is up against an outclassed field of six runners. Zedi Knight, a previous winner at this track, was no match, finishing more than four lengths behind, with Doubtful Jack in third. It is her shortest starting price ever, with the tote paying $1.02. With Luke Nolen in the saddle, she cruised to victory in 1 minute 9.44 seconds, an impressive time for the Valley with its two turns over the 1200 metre course.  

Date: 11 February 2012 

Racecourse: Caulfield, Victoria 

Racename: Group 1 C.F Orr Stakes (1400m) 

Track condition: Dead (4)  

Stepping up to 1400 metres for the Group 1 CF Orr Stakes at Caulfield, this was the furthest she has ever raced, and she delivered one of her most impressive performances. Settling just off the speed, she stalked the leaders and while the whole field was under vigorous riding, Luke Nolen sat motionless on the mare. Any doubts about her ability over 1400 metres were quickly laid to rest, as she scored by three lengths over 2011 Caulfield Cup winner Southern Speed and Group 1-winning Perth visitor Playing God. Black Caviar equalled Ajax’s 1930s record of 18 wins in a row in Australia, recording her eighth Group 1 success. Talk of a potential trip to England for Royal Ascot gained momentum after another formidable performance. 

Date: 18 February 2012 

Racecourse: Flemington, Victoria  

Racename: Group 1 Coolmore Lightning Stakes (1000m) 

Track condition: Good (3) 

Just one week after winning over 1400 metres, Black Caviar returned to Flemington, dropping back sharply in distance to the 1000 metres of the Group1 Coolmore Lightning Stakes. She jumped well and was joined by Group 1 sprinters Hay List and Buffering. At the 400-metre mark, Glyn Schofield urged Hay List forward, and he responded well, matching strides with Black Caviar and pushing the mare hard. But at the 200-metre mark, she asserted her dominance and pulled ahead to win by a length and three quarters. She stopped the clock at 55.53 seconds – just shy of Special’s 1000-metre record (55.50 seconds) set in the 1988 Lightning Stakes. With nine Group 1 victories to her name, she was now undisputedly the world’s best sprinter. The gutsy Hay List went on to win the Group 1 VRC Newmarket Handicap (1200m) at his next start, carrying a metric weight-carrying record of 58.5kg. 

Date: 28 April 2012 

Racecourse: Morphettville, South Australia  

Racename: Group 1 Robert Sangster Stakes (1200m) 

Track condition: Dead (4)  

The mighty mare travelled to South Australia for the Group 1 Robert Sangster Stakes, a 1200-metre race restricted to fillies and mares. Trainer Peter Moody used Adelaide as preparation for the trip overseas. A capacity crowd packed into Morphettville – something not seen since the days of the mighty Tulloch back in the 1950s. Facing a ten-horse field of mares at level weights, Black Caviar trounced the field by 4.6 lengths. It was her tenth Group 1 triumph and 20th consecutive victory, surpassing the century-old Australian and New Zealand record of 19 successive city wins set by Desert Gold and Gloaming. Unlike them, however, she remained unbeaten – 20 wins from 20 starts.  

Date: 12 May 2012 

Racecourse: Morphettville, South Australia  

Racename: Group 1 The Goodwood (1200m) 

Track condition: Good (3)  

The final test before her Royal Ascot campaign, Black Caviar’s 21st consecutive victory came in the prestigious Group 1 Goodwood (1200m) at Morphettville – a race steeped in history, dating back to 1881. Carrying top weight of 57kg in a field of nine, she started as the $1.05 favourite for the fifth time in her career. Once again, a packed Morphettville crowd gathered to witness greatness, knowing that a a win here would all but confirm a trip to England. While not the strongest field she has faced, it was still a Group 1 victory in an historic race. Black Caviar again cruised to victory, this time by 1.3 lengths over We’re Gonna Rock, securing her eleventh Group 1 win – and with it, a passport stamped for Royal Ascot. 

Date: 23 June 2012 

Racecourse: Royal Ascot, United Kingdom  

Racename: Group 1 Diamond Jubilee Stakes (1200m) 

Track condition: Good  

The final day of a star-studded Royal Ascot meeting, and the stage is set for the best sprinter in the world to defend her unbeaten record against Europe’s finest. Royal Ascot had already witnessed greatness. Day 1 belonged to Frankel, the unbeaten champion who won the Group 1 Queen Anne Stakes (1600m) by an incredible eleven lengths. On day two, former Australian-trained star and dual Cox Plate winner, So You Think, now trained by Aidan O’Brien, claimed the Group 1 Prince of Wales’s Stakes (2000m). Australia had a proud history of sprint success at Royal Ascot – Choisir, Takeover Target, Miss Andretti, Scenic Blast and Starspangledbanner all won sprint Group 1s at the Royal meeting. All eyes were now on Black Caviar in the presence of Her Majesty the Queen, the British racing fans and the several thousand Australians who have made the trip to cheer on their hero. She cruised in her signature style, Luke Nolen asked her for an effort and she looked like she was home. But Nolen misjudged the finishing line, easing her down prematurely. French-trained filly Moonlight Cloud made a late charge to the line, only to miss by a head, the closest margin of her unbeaten career. Nolen, Moody and all of Australia breathe a sigh of relief. She remains unbeaten and has conquered the world. 

Date: 16 February 2013 

Racecourse: Flemington, Victoria  

Racename: Group 1 Black Caviar Lightning (1000m) 

Track condition: Good (3) 

After her historic victory at Royal Ascot, Peter Moody and her connections began to plan a farewell tour for Black Caviar, offering fans in Melbourne and Sydney the chance to say their goodbyes and celebrate this icon of the turf. In a fitting tribute, the 2013 Group 1 VRC Lightning Stakes (1000m) – a race that she had won twice already – was permanently renamed the Black Caviar Lightning. On the big day at Flemington, the crowd is a sea of salmon and black, all there to witness the mare’s final appearance on the straight. It was a dominant performance, with Black Caviar racing away from stablemates Moment Of Change and Golden Archer, winning by two and a half lengths and breaking a 25-year-old course record, completing the 1000-metre course in a staggering 55.42 seconds. It was an unforgettable farewell to Flemington. 

Date: 22 March 2013 

Racecourse: Moonee Valley, Victoria 

Racename: Group 1 William Reid Stakes (1200m) 

Track condition: Good (3) 

Black Caviar’s final Victorian start came in the Group 1 William Reid Stakes (1200m), a race she had won in 2011 and that legendary Manikato had won five times over his career. While there's no such thing as a certainty in racing, Black Caviar's starting odds of $1.03 reflected her dominance, with only a couple of close calls throughout her 24-start career. She hadn’t started higher than $1.30 since her maiden Group 1 victory in the Patinack Farm Classic (1200m) in 2010, when she paid $1.90. In this race, she blitzed the seven-horse field, winning by four lengths. Karuta Queen was second, with Fawkner, who would go on to win the Caulfield Cup, third. Course broadcaster Greg Miles summed it up: “This is brutal power wrapped in an elegant machine!” Moonee Valley put on a big celebration for Black Caviar's farewell to Melbourne racing, with salmon-coloured streamers raining down on the joyous Valley crowd. 

Date: 13 April 2013 

Racecourse: Randwick, New South Wales 

Racename: Group 1 TJ Smith Stakes (1200m) 

Track condition: Good (4) 

Black Caviar finished her racing career at Randwick in the Group 1 TJ Smith Stakes (1200m). Her retirement was not officially announced until a few days later, but nearly 24,000 fans witnessed another Black Caviar track gallop, where she won by three lengths, capping off an extraordinary career. With this victory in the TJ Smith Stakes, Black Caviar surpassed the mighty Kingston Town’s record of fourteen Group 1 wins, securing her fifteenth in a career that saw 25 wins from 25 starts. She was a once-in-a-lifetime horse for trainer Peter Moody, jockey Luke Nolen, her team of proud owners, and a legion of adoring racing fans worldwide. Unmatched, unparalleled, and simply perfect!