The Black Caviar team farewells a legend

UPDATE: TRAINER Peter Moody and jockey Luke Nolen pay tribute to the finest horse they've ever worked with - and ever seen.

TRAINER Peter Moody and jockey Luke Nolen pay tribute to the finest horse they've ever worked with - and ever seen.

THE TRAINER - PETER MOODY

I KNEW in my heart that the fairytale was over when I looked at Black Caviar after the race at Randwick last Saturday.

She had given her all and I didn't want to see her that way again.

I had suggested that she could race on again next season, but when I saw her after the TJ Smith Stakes, pretty much distressed after a gut-buster, I figured the time had come for retirement.

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The owners and I spoke by phone a couple of times about the options for her, but when I got out of bed at 3.30 yesterday morning I knew exactly what had to happen.

When the owners gathered for our lunch, there was not one dissenting word - she was in terrific physical condition, she had won 25 consecutive races and $8 million, and there may never be a more appropriate time to call quits than after she had set an Australian record of 15 Group 1 wins.

So having prepared myself so many times for her departure from the racetrack, there it was. Done and dusted.

Black Caviar

I confess that I shed a tear or two when it sunk in. You see a horse like this comes once in your lifetime, and to think that you were lucky enough to be an integral part of it was humbling.

I'm sure there will be many more tears to come when I get the chance to sit down with a beer, look back on her wins, her colossal courage and sensational speed, and reflect on just how fortunate I was to have had the opportunity to train this mare.

But this was just the right time to say farewell.

Throughout her career the owners have been fantastic. They have given me free rein to determine how she is going and what we should do with her.

I can't thank them enough, or the entire staff at Moody Racing, for all the support.

What was her best win? Vote now

I would never expect to see, let alone train, another galloper as good as Nelly.

But I don't want to pin her up as a legend. That is for others to say.

I will say she is one of the finest horses we have been privileged to see.

All I know is that she helped put me, as a trainer, on the world map, and has given me the best time any trainer could wish for during her fabulous career.

The day after the big announcement won't change me.

I'm up at 3.15am and at Caulfield trackwork. We have two runners at Sale.

Throughout Black Caviar's career it was sometimes thought that all our attention was focused on her, but that was never the case.

Last season we trained 208 winners, and she won eight.

It will just be a lot less enticing getting out of bed knowing Nelly won't be there, ever again.

But it may help me give up the cigarettes.

It is back to reality. 

On Moody's most nerve-racking experience
"It was the run in the Lightning Stakes (Win No.19, 2011), coming back 400m in a week. I was in the parading ring when I first saw Hay List and went 'holy bloody hell this bugger is ready to rock and roll'. I've never been so nervous. He was 110 per cent. He was ready to rumble. I said to her 'I've made it hard for you ... you've got your work cut out today'.

On when he knew she was special
"I think every horse you train you have a dream. We've all had a horse that's shown the world and given us an atlas. She's shown the world and delivered the world."

On the persistent niggles from the critics
"It doesn't matter what she has done throughout her career, there's always been people questioning her. People putting up suggestions 'she's only done this and only beaten that ... She's only a sprinter and why not take her out of her comfort zone'. But why? If she's a sprinter and the best, why should we take her out of her zone? She's a remarkable horse."

On Luke Nolen's contribution
"Luke has a great understanding with her. He's aided me many times with information of where we were at. It was an extremely important relationship."

On her growing popularity
"It was during the campaign from races nine to 13 that we started to notice something. Randwick really hammed it up and it was wonderful and then they turned out huge in Brisbane. We noticed she was becoming public property. It was because of that aura of invincibility. We knew then that we had to protect this, this valuable asset."

On her prospective suitor
"This is completely up to the owners. It's their decision. She's a terribly big, strong horse. Frankel, because of his size, was a good fit. Redoute's Choice and Fastnet Rock are big, strong horses like her. Whether that is the right fit, I'm not sure.

On how her absence will impact on Moody Racing
"We're a big stable. We've been know as the Black Caviar stable, but we're more than that. We won 208 races last season. She won eight. As grateful as we are for her to put our stable up in lights, we have an outstanding record in our own right."

On life returning to normal now she's out of the picture.
"My mobile packed it in on the way home after the press conference. I went 'you bloody beauty. Can I have this phone forever.' But it came back on about an hour later and I had 70 voice messages and 120 texts. I went bugger it, I have to go through these. It will be a little different, that's for sure."

On Moody's favourite win
"From a personal aspect, taking her back to Queensland, my home state, was pretty special. To go back to Randwick when she won her first TJ Smith where I learnt my trade was good, too."

On Nelly's mood the day after retirement
"I went and saw her this morning. She had done one of her favourites and thrown a shoe overnight to keep us on our toes. I suppose it's not going to be the same with her name not on box one."

Let's get the party started
"Everyone is invited and they can have one final look at her on a racecourse (Free admission at Caulfield on Saturday).

"She's not an old gelding like Takeover Target or Might And Power who can be taken around the country for the rest of her life. She's going to be off embarking on a new career now, so this is their opportunity to say goodbye."

All these comments were made on either Sky Sports Radio or RSN Racing & Sport during their tribute programs this morning to the great mare and all associated with her.

Luke Nolen

THE JOCKEY - LUKE NOLEN

LUKE Nolen didn't see it coming.

"It's typical of Peter (Moody). He puts the horse above anything else. She felt great on Saturday but Peter knows best,'' said the jockey who rode Black Caviar to 22 of her 25 wins.

"She was at the peak of her powers on Saturday but you'd hate her to go for one run too many and Pete is the best judge of this.''

Nolen believes next spring carnival is when the retirement will really hit him.

"At the moment it's a surreal feeling knowing she won't race again,'' he said.

"I'm very fortunate. I must have done something right in a previous life to have got my chance to ride her.

In pictures: Black Caviar's victories

"I'm proud of her and for my role of being involved in the wonderful Black Caviar story and I've got to pinch myself.

"There are many jockeys licensed in Australia and I reckon less than 1 per cent are associated with a champion.

"I will be remembered for the rest of my life as the jockey who rode Black Caviar and that sits well with me.

"Every win was special and my favourite time was the 30 seconds I had with her after she had won when it was just me and her.''

Jarrod Noske won on Black Caviar at her first two starts, and Ben Melham won on her in the 2010 Patinack Classic when Nolen was suspended .   - Michael Manley

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Black Caviar's residence

THE OPPONENTS

 "I'm shocked. I know how good she's been for racing, she's brought owners through my door." - Premier Sydney trainer Chris Waller.

"They've got to retire her at some stage and ... they've decided it is a wonderful way for her to go out. She has gone out in a blaze of glory." - Gai Waterhouse.

"We are the poorer for her not being there." - Darley Australia trainer Peter Snowden.

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Fastnet Rock

THE FUTURE

PROSPECTIVE SUITORS

1. Fastnet Rock
Last year stood for $220,000 at Coolmore Stud. Sire of Atlantic Jewel, Mosheen, Super Cool. Yearlings averaged $643,636 last week at Sydney Easter Sales.
Why? Brilliant stallion whose progeny are versatile.

2. Redoute's Choice
Last year stood for $137,500 at Arrowfield Stud. Sire of 100 stakes winners including Miss Finland. Sire of Black Caviar's half brother that sold for $5 million at Easter Sales.
Why? Relations to Black Caviar have brought huge money over the last two years.

3. Exceed And Excel
Last year stood for $66,000 at Darley Stud. Progeny include Golden Slipper winner Overreach.
Why? Progeny are having a great run, especially as two-year-olds.

4. More Than Ready
Last year stood for $121,000 at Vinery Stud, Hunter Valley. Progeny include More Joyous and Sebring.
Why? Complete out-cross on breeding and complements her physically.