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Black Caviar's owner reveals anguish of retirement decision
Black Caviar's managing owner has spoken for the first time about the sequence of events leading up to last week's sudden decision to retire the unbeaten mare.
The mare's connections pulled the pin last week after an unprecedented 25 wins from 25 starts and just under $8 million in prize money.
Her final victory also saw her set a new Australian record for Group One victories, eclipsing Kingston Town's 14.
Werrett says tears came to the trainer's eyes when he made the announcement.
"At that moment we just hugged each other and there was hardly a word said for about 10 minutes because everyone was coming to grips with it," Werrett says.
Werrett says it all started when he received a phone call from Moody on Tuesday suggesting a meeting at the stables the next day.
Black Caviar had made a very successful comeback from her close finish in front of the Queen at Ascot and the owners had no thoughts of retirement.
"Peter had a look at the horse and he took her out and paraded her and we were all pretty excited," Werrett said.
"Then he went through all the options with the owners and I got a feeling that Peter had changed his attitude a bit, because up until Saturday Peter wanted to race another 12 months.
At that moment we just hugged each other and there was hardly a word said for about 10 minutes because everyone was coming to grips with it.
"And then (co-owner) Colin Madden said 'Well Peter, if it's your horse what would you do?'
"Tears came into his eyes and he said 'I'd retire her'."
The owners had always said they would leave the decision to Moody.
"Peter Moody has led us right through this the whole way, from buying the horse to retirement, and Peter's attitude was always in the best interest of the horses, as the owners have always been," Werrett said.
"The thing that we've always said to Peter [is] we've got to make sure the horse is looked after.
"We only had two requests the whole way - one is will we retire her when she's due and two was to go to Ascot."
Werrett says connections believe Moody has it right.
"In reflection I think all of us today believe it's the right decision," he said.
"Peter and all the owners and I think it's good for the horse to go out on top, there would be nothing worse for her – something to happen to her or for her to get beaten.
"I don't think it was getting beaten that was the problem, it was just Peter always said he couldn't see another horse in the world beating her up to 1200 metres."
ABC News
11 Comments | 1 decade ago
Recent Comments
SLIPPERGOLDEN 25 Apr | Posts: 7574
you may have seen it but in case you haven't. Caption reads "Forget it!!! You'd have to catch her first".
SPUDLEY 23 Apr | Posts: 1507
She probably was going blind with all the flashes from the papparazi but they better invest in a small set of tinted glasses for the foal as he or she will be in the spotlight from the second it pokes its head out. =))
thefalcon 23 Apr | Posts: 20203
we are going to get sick to deathhearing about bc. better be careful with over exposure.
RIO 23 Apr | Posts: 14798
That's what I thought we were going to read about when I saw the heading.... What happened in those 3 days. Am sure ther will be book on those 3 days and all the heart break and anguish that they went through!
Piston_Broke 23 Apr | Posts: 1984
What I don't unerstand is after she won, it was all systems go for her to race for the next 12 months, 3 days later she is retired!. I cant help but feel she didn't pull up that great hence retirement
Tivers 23 Apr | Posts: 7689
They need to snort a bag of cement and harden the F Up !
DamienWyer 23 Apr | Posts: 7451
'Anguish' ? The mare won 15 Group 1's. I would regard that as joyful.
raconteur 23 Apr | Posts: 595
...anybody who says "..it is tough at the Top." - hasn't spent a lot of time at the Bottom
Radman 23 Apr | Posts: 1936
There's a lot of pressure involved in owning a fast one..... Err, so I'm told.
thefalcon 23 Apr | Posts: 20203
anybody stay on the ABC and watch 4corners? drugs in sport....? 8-X