Black Caviar’s final foal dies days after champion mare’s death

The last foal of Black Caviar has died, only two days after the champion sprinter passed away.

Black Caviar’s ownership group confirmed the ninth and final foal from the mare died despite efforts to save him.

Black Caviar during her racing days.Credit: AAP

“The owners are saddened to advise that Black Caviar’s foal, a colt sired by Snitzel, passed away [on Sunday night],” the statement said. “He received around-the-clock, world-class veterinary care, but unfortunately could not be saved.

“The ownership group would like to thank the entire veterinary team who dedicated their time and efforts to caring for Black Caviar and her colt.

“The ownership group would also like to acknowledge and thank the Australian public and the racing public globally for the many tributes to Black Caviar. She was much loved and admired.”

Black Caviar’s death, a day before her 18th birthday, has sparked a wave of tributes for the Peter Moody-trained sprinter, which won all 25 starts during her career, including a heart-stopping win at Royal Ascot in front of the late Queen Elizabeth.

She was diagnosed with laminitis, a condition in which blood flow is restricted or stopped to the hooves.

Connections and staff at the Hunter Valley Stud where she spent her post racing career as a broodmare had tried to save her last colt, which would have been worth millions of dollars as a yearling if ever sold at a public auction.

Black Caviar’s ownership group have never sold any of her previous progeny and decided to race them.

The president of the NSW Breeders Association, Hamish Esplin, on Sunday hit back at online criticism of Black Caviar’s treatment after her racing career, claiming any criticism her owners were entirely in it for money was “misplaced”.

“I would estimate that close to 100 per cent of every dollar spent by a breeder, like the owners of Black Caviar, post-racing would be spent purely trying to keep the animal healthy and fit,” Esplin said. “They want them to live a long and healthy life for as long as possible.

“It’s true they’re very valuable animals and their progeny can be very valuable, but case in point with the owners of Black Caviar, they decided not to sell any of their bloodstock. A criticism they’re in wholly for the money is misplaced, in this case.”

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