Remembering the Wonder from Down Under

It was a sad day for the global horse racing family when news broke of the unbeaten Black Caviar's recent death. Known as the Wonder from Down Under, Black Caviar was a favorite of racing enthusiasts across Australia and overseas. The popular mare was successful between 2009 and 2013 when reeling off an impressive 25 consecutive wins before connections announced her retirement. Black Caviar is a name that will live long in the memory of those closest to her, from owners and trainers to bettors who enjoyed many profitable outings supporting her.

She enjoyed many triumphs in Australia but was also able to travel and win on the road, including a memorable victory at Royal Ascot in 2012. She flattened a star-studded field that day despite being eased up near the finish line by experienced jockey Luke Nolen. That victory ensured Black Caviar was as popular with UK race fans as she was on the other side of the world, and her memory will live on in the sport for a long time. It will be a long time before we see a mare quite as talented and brave as Black Caviar.

On home soil, Black Caviar was named the world's best sprinter on four occasions, again beating off stiff competition. She was often a hot betting favorite with the best horse racing betting apps as traders quickly discovered the value in keeping the mare onside. Despite usually being sent off at short odds, Black Caviar made followers a handsome profit due to her form and reliability. She's not the first or only great horse to come out of Australian thoroughbred racing, but she is one of the few fans could bank on in her prime.

With the memory of her career still fresh in our minds, our content team wanted to reflect on some of Black Caviar's most impressive races and victories. She had too many to fit into one article. Still, we found the cream of the crop and hope the performances selected bring back happy memories for those who followed Black Caviar's career, either from the track or on television.

Newmarket Handicap

One of Black Caviar's most memorable victories came in the 2011 Newmarket Handicap, a prestigious Group 1 race held at Flemington Racecourse. What made this win particularly impressive was the sheer dominance she displayed against a field of high-quality competitors despite carrying a significant weight disadvantage.

Black Caviar was tasked with carrying 58 kilograms, which was a considerable weight for a mare in this event. Yet, the added burden had little effect on her performance. Under the guidance of jockey Luke Nolen, Black Caviar broke well from the gate and quickly settled into her stride. As the race progressed, she effortlessly moved to the front of the field, displaying her trademark speed.

When the time came to unleash her finishing burst, Black Caviar accelerated away from her rivals with remarkable ease, winning by an astonishing three lengths. This victory, achieved in a time of 1:07.36, underscored her ability to defy the odds and prevail under challenging conditions. The Newmarket Handicap win not only highlighted her speed but also her versatility and resilience, further cementing her reputation as a racing superstar.

T J Smith Stakes

The T J Smith Stakes, held at Randwick Racecourse, is one of Australia's premier sprint races, attracting the best sprinters in the country. In 2011, Black Caviar took on the challenge and delivered a performance that would go down in history as one of her finest.

Faced with a quality field that included top-class sprinters such as Hay List, Black Caviar once again demonstrated her superiority. As the race unfolded, Hay List took the early lead, setting a strong pace. However, Black Caviar, as usual, bided her time, tracking the leader with a sense of inevitability.

At the 300-meter mark, jockey Luke Nolen gave her the signal, and Black Caviar responded with a devastating turn of foot. She quickly swept past Hay List and extended her lead with every stride, ultimately crossing the finish line 2.8 lengths ahead of her nearest rival. Her winning time of 1:08.71 was just shy of the track record, further emphasizing her speed and dominance.

The 2011 T J Smith Stakes showcased Black Caviar's incredible acceleration and her ability to overpower top competition. It was a defining moment in her career, solidifying her status as the best sprinter in the world at the time.

Diamond Jubilee Stakes

Black Caviar's fame had spread far beyond Australia. In 2012, she traveled to England to compete in the Diamond Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot, one of the most prestigious race meetings in the world. This race was particularly significant, as it was Black Caviar's first and only appearance on the international stage, and her unbeaten record was on the line.

The build-up to the race was immense, with racing fans and media eagerly anticipating whether Black Caviar could maintain her perfect record against Europe's best sprinters. The race itself proved to be one of the most dramatic and memorable moments in her career.
Breaking from the gate, Black Caviar quickly assumed her customary position near the front of the pack. However, as the race entered its final stages, it became clear that she was not at her best. Despite this, she fought bravely under the urging of Luke Nolen. In the final strides, she seemed to tire, and Nolen famously eased up on her, nearly allowing the chasing pack to catch up.

In a heart-stopping finish, Black Caviar held on to win by the narrowest of margins, much to the relief of her connections and the millions of fans watching around the world. The race may not have been her most dominant performance, but it was certainly one of her most significant. The Diamond Jubilee Stakes win proved her determination, courage, and the heart of a true champion, as she overcame both the travel and the challenges of racing on unfamiliar turf to extend her unbeaten streak to 22.