Black Caviar
“The owners have given the selection of stallion for Black Caviar’s second mating much consideration and sought expert opinion and have today decided that Sebring is our choice for this breeding season,” announced part-owner Gary Wilkie on Tuesday, 23 September 2014.
“Being a son of More Than Ready, Sebring has both conformation and pedigree on his side and we believe that he will be an excellent match for Black Caviar. We paid particular attention to the advice of Peter Moody who has had great success with the progeny of Sebring through Dissident, who is already a three-time Group One winner, and Bring Me The Maid, who was placed in this year’s Golden Slipper.”
Widden Stud manager Antony Thompson was understandably chuffed that the nine-year-old stallion was selected from a hot field of suitors, particularly as the news came on the day of Sebring’s ninth birthday. “What Sebring has achieved with just two crops to race is exceptional and we’re confident that his mating with Black Caviar will produce an outstanding foal with the potential for great success on the track.” The Widden Stud-based Sebring’s service fee of $60,500 is steep without being at the upper end of the spectrum.
2008 Golden Slipper winner, Sebring
Trained by Gai Waterhouse, Sebring was a juvenile sensation, winning the 2008 Golden Slipper winner as well as the Group One AJC Sires’ Produce Stakes. The son of More Than Ready has proved an early hit in the breeding barn, having sired 10 stakes winners from his first two crops including triple Group One winner Criterion and last season’s Rosehill Guineas and Australian Derby winner, Dissident. This season’s tally already stands at 15 winners and 2 stakes winners.
Black Caviar was undefeated in 25 races throughout her career, including 15 Group 1 wins which included the Diamond Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot in 2012. She won three Lightning Stakes, a race that now carries her name, two VRC Classics, two William Reid Stakes and two T.J. Smiths at Randwick, which was her farewell to the racetrack in April last 2013.
Her brother All Too Hard also proved a champion on the track and his first foals are hitting the ground this season.
Black Caviar’s long-awaited first foal – by champion sire Exceed And Excel – was born in the early hours of Saturday, 13 September 2014. Auctioneer William Inglis predicted if the daughter of super sire Exceed And Excel were to go under the hammer she could challenge the $5 million paid for her half-brother “Jimmy” who unfortunately died before he could race.
Black Caviar’s Exceed And Excel filly
However, her connections have dismissed the idea of putting the Exceed And Excel filly through a sales ring, saying it would be like “selling your children”. The connections plan retain the filly for racing and like her famous dam, she is destined for the yard of Peter Moody.
Co-owner Neil Werrett said “Black Caviar was the people’s horse and we are looking forward to sharing this filly’s journey with the people of Australia. It will be a long and patient road from birth to racetrack so at this time we are reveling in the excitement of being proud parents.”
