Black Caviar was so good, she was inducted into the Hall of Fame before her race career had ended

A powerful sprinter who would break the hearts of her opponents, Black Caviar was so good that she was elevated into the Hall of Fame before her race career had ended. Ray Thomas reflects on the mighty mare’s fantastic career.

Black Caviar and Luke Nolan winning the Group 1 TJ Smith Stakes at Randwick, her 25th win in succession at her final race start. Picture: Getty Images

Black Caviar was the closest to racing perfection I have seen. An invincible sprinting machine who would break the hearts of chasing rivals with her sheer speed and acceleration.

She started in 25 races and won them all, 15 at Group 1 level including two TJ Smith Stakes, three Lightning Stakes, two William Reid Stakes, Newmarket Handicap and her famous win in the Diamond Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot.

Trained by Peter Moody and ridden in 22 of her races by Luke Nolen, Black Caviar was simply unbeatable.

She was afforded a peak Timeform rating of 136 which makes her the equal highest rated filly or mare of all-time (alongside European champions Allez France and Habibti).

The mighty mare was so good, she was elevated into the Hall of Fame before her race career had ended.

#TBT Black Caviar's swansong @royalrandwick as she made it an incredible 25th straight win in the TJ Smith of 2013 marking a then record 15th Group 1 victory in Australia with a dominant win! #TheChampionshipspic.twitter.com/uI9DWlYCCv

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) April 5, 2018

• Jockey Luke Nolen ‘a bit numb, she was a wonderful part of my career’

There were only two occasions when rivals got to within a length of her at the finish - the 2009 Danehill Stakes at Flemington and 2012 Diamond Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot.

It was later found she was injured in those wins and did not race again for months, while at Royal Ascot, Nolen famously stopped riding near the line, too.

When Black Caviar raced, the result seemed inevitable and I would sometimes break a golden rule of journalism and start writing half my copy before her race was run.

In my 30 years as racing editor of The Sunday Telegraph, I have only ever done this for two horses – Black Caviar and Winx.

The day my two queens met pic.twitter.com/Vam9D4n4CK

— Peter Moody (@moodyracingpgm) August 17, 2024

• Black Caviar’s top 10 wins

I remember being so confident Black Caviar would win easily at Royal Ascot in 2012, I had my story virtually written only to watch the mighty mare scramble to a narrow win, leaving me with a 15-minute window to frantically rewrite my story and make deadline in Sydney.

As the racing world mourns Black Caviar’s passing, I remember when she was retired in 2013 and thinking I won’t see another champion to compare with her – but only 12 months later Winx made her race debut.

Perfection! 💯

Do yourself a favour & watch Black Caviar's 25 wins from 25 starts 🍿

Which victory was your favourite? pic.twitter.com/ejIuDyuXEj

— Racing.com (@Racing) August 17, 2024

• Black Caviar’s passing after giving birth devastates owner

During Winx’s reign as the queen of Australian racing, I asked Moody if he could compare her to Black Caviar. His diplomatic answer stands the test of time.

“I was fortunate to see Frankel at Royal Ascot in 2012, I saw Makybe Diva win her third Melbourne Cup, I lived the dream with Black Caviar but seeing this mare, Winx – she is phenomenal,’’ Moody said.

“I think we have been unbelievably blessed this century to have seen Winx, Makybe Diva and Black Caviar.’’

Originally published as Black Caviar was so good, she was inducted into the Hall of Fame before her race career had ended