Undefeated superstar Black Caviar has been recognised on the international stage after claiming the prestigious Cartier Award for sprinters announced in London overnight.
Black Caviar has won the Cartier Award for sprinters. Photo by: Sarah Ebbett
Less than a week after Racing Victoria renamed the Group 1 $750,000 Coolmore Lightning Stakes (1000m) at Flemington to be called the Black Caviar Lightning, the Peter Moodytrained mare has been given one of the top awards on the European racing stage.
Black Caviar gained the attention of British racegoers when she travelled from Australia to score a narrow but historic win in the Group 1 £500,000 The Diamond Jubilee Stakes (6 furlongs) at Royal Ascot on June 23, taking her unbeaten record to twenty-two wins from as many starts.
Black Caviar claimed the honour from a star studded line up which included the Group 1 £400,000 Darley July Cup (1200m) winner Mayson, Diamond Jubilee runner-up Moonlight Cloud and Australian multiple Group 1 winner Ortensia who was a two time winner in England over the summer, including a win in the Group 1 £250,000 The Coolmore Nunthorpe Stakes (5 furlongs) at York on August 24.
Connections of Black Caviar are planning a farewell tour for the mighty mare in the Autumn and if Moody is happy with her progress after missing the Spring, could kick off her Eastern States tour by running in the Lightning which was recently renamed in her honour.
And an appearance is also planned for Sydney and Brisbane before Black Caviar is retired to stud.
“My dream is for her to come back in the autumn and give her a run in at least Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane in a farewell tour,” Moody said.
“It would have been much easier to retire her, but I always wanted to see her finish her racing here at home.
“I’m very mindful that she’s 22-from-22 and the important thing now is to protect that record.”
World number one galloper Frankel was unchallenged in winning the Cartier Racing Horse Of The Year award for the second year in succession.
Frankel was recently retired after winning the Group 1 £1.3m The QIPCO Champion Stakes (1 mile 2 furlongs) at Ascot on October 20, taking his race record to fourteen wins from fourteen starts, and is valued at £100 million as he begins his stud career as a stallion.
Legendary English trainer Sir Henry Cecil was unable to attend the Cartier awards night because of illness but said he was thrilled to have trained the champion and for the four year old to receive the top award.
“All of us at Warren Place are thrilled that Frankel’s achievements this year have been recognised with him winning this most prestigious award for the second time running,” Cecil said.
“Frankel has been a great ambassador for British racing and has captured the hearts of so many people, some of whom have never previously been racing in their lives.”
“Thank you Frankel and to everyone that has voted for him.”
