Statues honouring Phar Lap, Bart Cummings, Makybe Diva and Roy Higgins are scattered throughout the renowned Flemington racecourse.
Even though Black Caviar boasts a statue at Caulfield, the Victoria Racing Club revealed on Thursday an impressive chronicle of the champion mare’s achievements inside The Forum at Flemington racecourse, right before the Group 1 Black Caviar Lightning (1000m) scheduled for Saturday.
Titled ‘The Perfect Run’, the showcase details the career of Black Caviar, who remained unbeaten across 25 outings, securing eight successes at Flemington—the site of her debut as a two-year-old in April 2009 and her final appearance in the T J Smith at Randwick four years subsequently.
The exhibition presents various trophies and souvenirs from Black Caviar’s tenure, complemented by a photographic collection and concise narratives covering all 25 of her triumphs.
Trainer Peter Moody, jockey Luke Nolen and Black Caviar’s ownership syndicate were present at the reveal of the exhibition, which welcomes the public starting Saturday.
Moody described it as an astonishing journey, yet a frightening one, overseeing Black Caviar across those 25 outings that delivered the mare almost $8 million in earnings.
“The last time she went on to a racetrack totally sound was her second or third start in a race,” Moody said.
“As Luke touched on earlier, it was more about relief (after every win) than enjoyment, which is sad when you have something that good.
I had wonder staff and wonderful people around me and it had to be, as you could not handle it by yourself and for me personally, and Luke personally, our families were a big part of it.
We didn’t cook and that didn’t feed onto the horse.”
Moody highlighted how meaningful it was to return for more wins after the intention to retire Black Caviar post her Diamond Jubilee victory at Royal Ascot in June 2012.
The plan was to declare Black Caviar’s retirement once the owners and team returned from trips abroad after Royal Ascot.
“We had basically retired her after Ascot, but everyone was heading off on their European vacations, and we were going to get together when everyone got home and announce her retirement,” Moody said.
“But to get her back for those three runs afterwards, that was something very special.”
Moody shared the story of Black Caviar encountering The Queen following her Royal Ascot win, calling it a cherished experience for those present.
“Everyone got invited to morning tea earlier in the week, except me, and I think they were all a bit toey about me meeting her on race day,” Moody said.
“Just to see her love of the horse and to see her come down into the enclosure, which I believe hadn’t happened before, and gave the horse a pat, was very special.
She was that buggered after the race, and we had Paddy (Bell) on one side and me on the other, and there were so many people in the yard that we were that worried someone might give her a smack on that big bum of hers.
I thought crikey, if she takes offence to it, we might take out The Queen here with Black Caviar.
I don’t know how she would have gone with 600 kilos running over the top of her. There might have been a change of Monarch and Charlie might have got the gig a few years earlier.
And we would have been really considered convicts then.”
Moody’s tales underscore the intense emotions tied to Black Caviar’s legacy, and with the Group 1 Black Caviar Lightning (1000m) looming, punters should visit Australian betting sites for top options.
The post Black Caviar exhibition unveiled at Flemington first appeared on Just Horse Racing.
