Few modern Thoroughbreds reach international popularity the way the Australian sprinter Black Caviar did in 2012. An 11-time Group 1 winner in Australia from November 2010 to May 2012, Black Caviar won her only career start in Britain with a dramatic victory in the Group 1 Diamond Jubilee Stakes at six furlongs at Royal Ascot in June of 2012. Sent off as the 1-6 favorite, Black Caviar took the lead with more than a furlong remaining when her regular jockey, Luke Nolen, briefly stopped riding. Nolen was forced to urge Black Caviar in the final strides to preserve the win by a head. The Diamond Jubilee Stakes, one of Europe’s leading sprints, extended Black Caviar’s unbeaten record to 22 wins. She did not race again that year, but returned to action in Australia in early 2013, winning three more Group 1 races before she was retired with 25 wins. :: Get free past performances, analysis, and picks for Australian racing Black Caviar’s breathtaking accomplishments were a worldwide source of reflection on Saturday after her death was announced. Trainer Peter Moody told the Australian media that Black Caviar was euthanized after suffering from lamintis. Her death came a day before the 18th anniversary of her foaling date. By the Royal Academy stallion Bel Esprit, Black Caviar raced from April 2009 to April 2013. She won 14 Group 1 races in Australia at distances ranging from five to seven furlongs, including three runnings of the Lightning Stakes at Flemington from 2011 to 2013, two runnings of the William Reid Stakes at Moonee Valley in 2011 and 2013, and the T.J. Smith Stakes at Royal Randwick in 2011 and 2013.  After winning her debut at 2-1, Black Cavier was an odds-on favorite in her next 24 starts. Owned by a partnership, whose salmon-colored silks with black polka-dots became easily recognizable, Black Caviar was Australia’s Horse of the year for the seasons ending in 2011, 2012, and 2013. The Lightning Stakes, run at five furlongs at Flemington Racecourse in February, is named in Black Caviar’s honor. As a broodmare, Black Caviar is the dam of four winners to date, including the late Invincible Caviar, who won 4 of 8 starts. A mare, Invincible Caviar died of an apparent heart attack in early 2023. :: Want to learn more about handicapping and wagering? Check out DRF's Handicapping 101 and Wagering 101 pages.