World’s greatest sprinter Black Caviar, who famously won at Royal Ascot, dies aged 18

FAMOUS Australian wonder mare Black Caviar, who memorably conquered Royal Ascot in 2012, has died at the age of 18.

The popular mare had to be put to sleep shortly after giving birth to a baby foal as she was suffering from a serious foot condition called laminitis.

Reuters

Black Caviar (left) won famously at Royal Ascot in 2012[/caption]

Trained by Peter Moody throughout her career, she will be remembered as the world’s greatest-ever sprinter.

Black Caviar won every single one of her 25 races – including 15 Group 1s. The closest she ever came to defeat was in the Diamond Jubilee at the Royal meeting 12 years ago – through no fault of her own.

Jockey Luke Nolen had the race in the bag but inexplicably eased up on the 1-6 favourite around 100 yards before the line.

There were shocked gasps from the crowd as French star Moonlight Cloud closed her down rapidly, but she managed to cling on in a desperate finish by a head to remain unbeaten.

It will go down as one of the most famous finishes in the history of Ascot and her victory in Europe sets her apart from fellow wondermare Winx, who never raced outside of Australia.

In total she banked £4.6 million in prize-money during her four-year career and she died the day before her 18th birthday.

Moody said: “It is very sad and we are all feeling it.

“She had a milk infection and we just treated it like you do with all broodmares, but, like a lot of treatments, it went straight to her feet. Basically, it killed her feet.

“She had the foal yesterday, a colt by Snitzel and they put her down shortly after that on humane grounds.

“They scanned her feet yesterday and there was no blood flow at all to her feet. There was minimum blood flow to her feet anyhow but there was none and she’s such a big girl.

“I rang all the staff and told them. They were all very upset.”

Nolen said: “It’s a hollow feeling, she was the horse of a lifetime for all of us.

“She was an integral part of my career but, more importantly, she was so important for racing itself. She was one of our equine heroes.

“It was a privilege to be a part of her story, but I always felt a bit guilty because anyone could’ve done the job.”

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