Equinties - York Ebor festival day 1

Gm Equinauts

BLACK CAVIAR died this week.

We’ve taken a bit of time to write her tribute tribute because, well, she was a very special horse.

Before we begin, this video does a good job to explain her influence on Flat racing.

“This is a mare that has two nations agog.”

Ahead of her Diamond Jubilee Stakes run in 2012, a huge following stayed up late to watch Royal Ascot over in Australia, and that’s before we consider the huge following she had across the world.

In 2012 Ascot flew flags in her colours so we as a nation could show our appreciation to this wonder-mare. Only stars in KAUTO STAR, FRANKEL and most recently BAAEED on Champions Day have had the same honours.

And the race itself? It all looked so easy for Luke Nolen and the daughter of BEL ESPRIT until a stride before the line where it looked as if her unbeaten record had gone up in smoke.

Ultimately it didn’t, and her streak continued on until she finally retired at 25-0.

15 Group 1s, seven Group 2s and the world’s best racehorse title in 2013 describes what a wonderful career she had, so it’s understandable that her trainer Peter Moody “sat in the car and cried for an hour” after her death.

Laminitis from a milk infection is what caused her the issue, and although they tried to save her colt foal by SNITZEL who was born on the morning of her death, she sadly died on Sunday.

To add to the tragedy, BLACK CAVIAR’s foal sadly died just days after birth too.

Questions have been raised as to what life after racing means for a champion mare. Should there be a limit to the number of babies one mare can have?

We lost a true legend on the weekend who has given us all some fantastic memories. Rest easy, BLACK CAVIAR and her baby.

Let’s dive in.

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