lack Caviar is no doubt one the most identifiable thoroughbred in Australasia, if not the world, in recent times. Her victory in the Diamond Jubilee at Ascot was accompanied by international attention that was likely unrivalled by any Australian horse. Many claim her as the greatest ever, retiring as she did unbeaten from 25 starts. While this is truly a remarkable record, it speaks perhaps more about modern thoroughbred management, and dare we say, a lack in quality opposition, than it does about such claims. It is perhaps fair to suggest that her “year” was not the most outstanding crop of horses that Australia has produced. We can speculate whether the outbreak of Equine Influenza in the summer of 2007/08, when Black Caviar was a yearling had any influence on the crop. Such is the nature of the
