Black Caviar is up there with the Magpies

24-06-2012

Kelly Ryan From: Herald Sun June 23, 2012 

BLACK Caviar is big business. On race day, Black Caviar merchandise sells as much as Collingwood does at a MCG blockbuster.

The great mare's distinctive colours of salmon with black polka dots sell everything from caps to can coolers, key rings and cuff links.

Her marketers have cashed in with a Black Caviar Royal Ascot range.

But it's not all about profits - a percentage is donated to the National Jockeys' Trust for injured riders.

"Black Caviar is hot and the punters can't get enough of her," said Michael Wilson, from The Promotions Factory, official licensee for all Black Caviar merchandise.

"We expect to make $40,000 in sales at the Black Caviar Shop on Saturday night at Federation Square ... and it's on top of $500,000 she's generated in sales in the past six months."

Also coming soon are calendars, personalised iPhone covers, flags, scarfs and plush ponies.

Replica framed silks and photos of her 21 wins are selling like hotcakes for $1595 while a replica saddlecloth on which jockey Luke Nolen sits is a mere $1295.

The sprinter is easily marketed, with 22,000 "likes" on Facebook.