Whateley - Black Caviar: the horse of a lifetime

A way from the maddening crowds, relieved of the pressure he had at first found unbearable before coming to thrive on it, Luke Nolen knew what he would remember. When he closed his eyes he was there, on the back of Black Caviar at full stride. It was the simple thrill of riding her.

Thats wonderful. Thats absolutely wonderful. If you could bottle that feeling Id probably be able to give up riding because Id make a fortune selling it, I wouldnt have to worry about anything else.

On the wooden deck at his local pub, Nolen wondered if he had done so for the last time. Were that to be the case, he would be disappointed but content.

Very few jockeys know what I know about sharing a kinship with a special horse thats been as big as racing itself. Theyre littered through the past, these great horses and the jockeys who rode them. When she does retire, Ill become one of those stories. And its a wonderful privilege.

The day after victory in the Diamond Jubilee Stakes, Peter Moody had boarded a train for France. On the journey he rang Neil Werrett. Listen, prepare yourself for the worst, my feeling will be retirement.

The following Saturday, the owners of Black Caviar went to the races together, as good friends do. By the Irish Derby meeting at The Curragh, the shock had passed. It was replaced by the warm embrace of accomplishment, which Werrett tempered with reality. Im happy for her to retire. Shes fulfilled all our dreams. If shes had enough physically well look forward to the breeding season and having a little foal on the ground in 12 months. Shes been too good a horse to all of us.

From time to time, while Tony Haydon tended to her injuries, he would put his head on Black Caviars rib cage and just listen. Here he could feel her essence. Thats why I get out of bed every day. Whether it was now or whether it was soon, he was bracing himself for the day when the name Nelly would no longer appear on the stable whiteboard. Shell leave a bloody big hole mate. Shes a champ.

Jeff OConnor thought there would be relief tinged with sadness when the day came. Only then would they have time to reflect on what had been lived through. And the purest of all gallops would be consigned to memory. Or maybe not.

Ive never ridden Caviar. Id love to jump on her, no fear, and gallop her around the paddock just to feel what it is like. One day therell be a massive barbecue at Moods farm and well all take turns. I reckon Pete has already been on her.

Moody laughs uproariously at the accusation. Youll have to leave that as one of the great unknown mysteries.

Each had been granted the promise of racing. They had found the horse that could not be beaten. They had held perfection. Its speed and its heart. But they had come to know that this alone was not her gift. Beyond the victories and above the adulation lay the truth. All who came to know her name and those who gathered to share her deeds felt it. And the memory would forever endure. Black Caviar had touched their souls.

A girl has to relax. Black Caviar was a morning regular at Melbournes Mordialloc Beach.

Bronwen Healy Photography