An emotional Peter Clarke kisses 25 Wins, a touching tribute to Black Caviar — the champion mare who spent much of her racing career under his care.
Even if you’ve never been to a horse race, never backed a horse, or have no idea how the sport works, chances are you’ve still heard the name Black Caviar.
Hold tight - we’re checking permissions before loading more content
With her dark bay coat, powerful build and commanding presence, she was instantly recognisable on the track — but it was her astonishing 25 straight wins between 2009 and 2013 that truly had the world talking.
Known for her explosive acceleration and effortless cruising speed, this incredible mare claimed 15 Group 1 victories and was crowned Australian Horse of the Year, not once, but three times.
She was also voted the World’s Best Sprinter by the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities and, in 2012, famously travelled to England to win the Diamond Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot — despite suffering a muscle injury during the race.
After retiring in April 2013, Black Caviar transitioned to life as a broodmare in the Hunter Valley, enjoying a far more relaxed routine than her racing years — plenty of paddock time, good feed and foals at foot.
However, a year ago this Sunday, August 17, just one day before her 18th birthday, she sadly passed away, and to mark this milestone and her remarkable life, a sculpture has been created in her honour by Shepparton sculptor Mark Niglia.
Mark worked closely with co-owner Pam Hawkes to discuss stories and some finer details of the sculpture to its completion.
Pam also donated a specially minted Black Caviar coin to add to the sculpture.
Reflecting on Black Caviar’s legacy, Mark said she was the kind of horse you talked about with your mates.
“I remember having conversations when she hit 15 straight wins, then 16, and so on,” Mark said.
“She was just incredible, and I thought it was important to acknowledge her.”
Mark’s artistic process explores the dynamic relationship between horse and human, harnessing the energy of distorted metals to breathe life into his sculptures.
Crafted as if sketching in the air, each full-scale horse evokes emotion, invites reflection and offers a dynamic, raw and uniquely insightful perspective on life — and his recent Black Caviar sculpture is no exception.
Although Peter Moody trained Black Caviar throughout her career, Murchison’s Peter Clarke — founder of Willowood Equicentre and a family friend of sculptor Mark Niglia — played a crucial role behind the scenes in the making of this super racehorse.
He designed and built the world’s first equine water walking machine, and Black Caviar became one of his clients after sustaining an injury during one of her first races.
His methods were highly effective for rehabilitating such injuries, combining the perfect formula of work, rest, play and patience for her recovery.
During this time, Black Caviar lived at the Willowood property with her close companions Andy, a 25-year-old pony, and Billy, the goat.
“She became part of the family, spending the majority of her racing career with us before travelling back to Caulfield for track work,” Peter said.
“Black Caviar and Billy the goat would play together in the paddock — the goat would rear up, and she’d sometimes rear up too or just walk away.
“The biggest horse in the world playing with two much smaller animals — it was pretty spectacular.
“She was a machine. She was a galloping machine. My princess, then my queen.”
The sculpture, titled 25 Wins, celebrates Black Caviar’s incredible achievements and includes many unique metal pieces that were used on her during her time at Murchison, making it a deeply personal tribute.
It took 86 hours to complete and will soon be on display in her home town at Mitchelton Winery.
Peter, alongside his wife, Marg, co-owner Pam Hawkes and Mark, are excited to showcase this enduring reflection of a champion.
In their words, it has been a true collaboration — an idea brought together by her owners and those close to her journey.
“Seeing this today has brought tears to my eyes,” Peter said.
“She always wanted to win. She wanted to win everything.
“Mark has done an incredible job, and I can almost feel her power.”
“This sculpture captures Black Caviar’s strength and spirit — a true champion whose legacy will live on,” Mark said.
“I’m grateful for the opportunity to be part of this tribute, and we’re all excited to see her on display at Mitchelton Winery soon.”
Peter Clarke stands with the striking 25 Wins sculpture, a heartfelt tribute to the legendary mare he helped rehabilitate during her racing career.
Sculptor Mark Niglia with 25 Wins, the dynamic metal tribute he created to honour Black Caviar’s power, grace and unmatched racing legacy.
A well-worn rasp once used on Black Caviar’s hooves is now part of 25 Wins, adding a personal piece of the champion’s history to the tribute.
The latch from Black Caviar’s paddock gate is embedded in 25 Wins, a small but powerful reminder of her days at Willowood in Murchison.
25 Wins — sculptor Mark Niglia’s dynamic metal tribute capturing the strength, spirit and racing glory of champion mare Black Caviar.
Peter and Marg Clarke share a proud moment beside 25 Wins, celebrating Black Caviar’s remarkable journey and the special role the Clarke family played in her life.
9°C