The news came today that Australia’s favourite racehorse Black Caviar will be retired and sent to the breeding barn. Who her first beau will be is yet to be revealed.
I am not exactly sad about the news, but more deflated than anything. She deserves to go out a winner - after all, what more has she got to prove. She’s won 25 races, 15 of them at Group One level, and remains undefeated - a perfect record.
If you’ve been reading this blog, you’ll know how long I’ve been following her racing career. I first mentioned her name on this blog way back on August 21st 2009 when she was about to run in her third race.
It has been a heady four years watching her progress from a promising three year old to the world’s most invincible sprinter, so the racing scene shall feel a bit flat for a while, without the expectation of seeing Black Caviar in action. It’s similar to how I felt when Sunline retired. A race day when she graced the turf had extra sparkle – likewise with Black Caviar.
Black Caviar will be farewelling her fans with a special appearance at Caulfield next Saturday, so I’ll be there to see her parading one last time. I freely admit that I’m a Black Caviar tragic; I have quite a collection of Black Caviar memorabilia including two ticket holders with winning tickets that were being given out at the TAB last Saturday if you placed a bet on Black Caviar. I notice these ticket holders are being flogged off on EBay for a tidy profit, but I’m hanging onto mine and all the other stuff I’ve accrued. I regard them as historical relics.
I am grateful to Black Caviar in more ways than one. She enhanced every race day in which she appeared; she created an unbelievable – you had to be there – atmosphere at the track and changed my life. Prior to participating in the Black Caviar cheer squad, I would never have contemplated going to the races at Caulfield and Flemington. I was drearily stuck on Moonee Valley and my once or twice a year day at the races. Now I realise just what I was missing and regret my former reluctance to branch out beyond my comfort zone.
Enjoy your retirement Black Caviar, we’ll never see anything like you again. In the meantime I look forward to seeing your sons and daughters on the track a few years from now.
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