Black Caviar tears two muscles in Diamond Jubilee Stakes win at Royal Ascot

24-06-2012

Ray Thomas From: The Daily Telegraph June 24, 2012 7:14pm

CHAMPION mare Black Caviar has suffered two muscle tears and severe bruising to her hind quarters in her famous win in the Group 1 Diamond Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot on Sunday.

Trainer Peter Moody confirmed Black Caviar had pulled up sore after her narrow win.

Veterinarians inspected the mare this morning at her Newmarket stable base and located the muscle injury and bruising.

Moody said he was unsure at what stage of the race Black Caviar suffered her injuries.

However, the trainer said veterinarians had informed him “she would have definitely felt it during the run”.

“She’s had something like this before,” Moody said.

“She’s entering quarantine today, we’re sending her home, but we’ll be able to have the injuries treated whilst she’s in quarantine.”

Moody said Black Caviar ate up after her Royal Ascot win but admitted the mare was “very flat and tired” this morning.

Moody said no decision on Black Caviar’s racing future would be made until after the mare had returned to Australia, recovered from her injuries and enjoyed a deserved spell.

Moody is still hopeful Black Caviar will be right to race in Melbourne again during the coming spring carnival.

Black Caviar’s muscle injuries and bruising could explain why her customary acceleration and speed were missing during the Diamond Jubilee Stakes.

The 'Wonder from Down Under' was still poised to register another comfortable win when jockey Luke Nolen controversially dropped his hands near the line, almost costing the mare her unbeaten record.

Once again Black Caviar has been able to overcome the odds to keep her 22-race undefeated streak going.

In hindsight, given the vagaries of travel, Nolen’s riding blunder and the injuries the mare sustained during the race, the Diamond Jubilee Stakes may now go down as one of her greatest ever wins.