By EMMA SUN
HISTORY was made in Belgrave South last Saturday, as the Celebration of Black Caviar was hailed as the most successful fund-raiser ever to be held in the area.
It was a star-studded event, with renowned horse trainer and Belgrave South local Peter Moody, the champion mare’s rider Luke Nolen, author Gerard Whateley and entertainer Sam Kekovich getting behind the push to raise money for a new sporting facility at South Belgrave.
The event set a high benchmark for the opening of the fund-raiser, already hitting about $40,000.
What was already a special night was made even more remarkable with limited edition Black Caviar themed football jumpers, numbered one to 25 for each of her triumphant wins, which were worn by the football players during a game that morning.
“The boys (have done) our club very proud and kept those colours undefeated – that’s her 26th win in a row,” Mr Moody said.
Five of those jumpers, Mr Moody’s favourite races, were auctioned off on the night, raising $19500 altogether.
They included number one, Black Caviar’s first ever race on 18 April 2008, number 10, the race after which the mare was recognised as the best race horse in the world, number 22 at the Ascot, number 23 when she broke the track record at Flemington and number 25, her final race.
Number 22 was sold for a whopping $5000.
Organiser Ian Bakens said it was a fantastic night.
“It’s terrific, we’ve achieved what we wanted beyond our wildest expectations and it’s looking extremely promising,” he said.
“We’re almost certain we’ve achieved our initial target of $40,000.
“The night was great, everyone was enraptured with the night and while the theme was the Celebration of Black Caviar, the underlying theme was a night of fun and fascination and I think we achieved both of those.”
It was a sold-out event, with 380 guests seated comfortably throughout the marquee.
A rare and in-depth discussion about the triumphs and what went on behind the scenes with Black Caviar between trainer and jockey was a much anticipated part of the evening.
“The interest she creates is unbelievable and we’ve learnt that here again in a community that I’ve grown to love,” he said.
“There will never be another her, ever, in my career and I think the most befitting thing for her was that her last win was better than her first 25 down the track.
“(Retiring her) was probably the only time that I have broken down – there comes a time where every good thing ends and I was desperate for her to go on as I think (were) the owners and the entire sporting nation.
“One of them said to me ‘what would you do if she was yours’, and the moment he said that I dropped my head and tears shoved down my cheek and I said it’s all over.”
Mr Nolen also had nothing but praise for the champion horse, likening his journey with her with Jim Pike, who rode Phar Lap.
“I will never live long enough to see another horse like Black Caviar,” he said.
“I’ll be remembered the same and be held in the same standing as Jim Pike because I was lucky enough to be a part of this great story.”
The tally of funds for the South Belgrave Sporting Precinct is still rising, with 19 more unique jumpers still to be auctioned on eBay.
For more information on the jumpers or to bid on one, visit www.blackcaviarjumpers.com.au
Mr Bakens thanked everybody involved in making “what was the most successful fund-raiser in the history of the region”.
“Thanks particularly to Peter Moody and his wife Sarah for their wonderful support and contribution and we are forever grateful to all our sponsors and to all the local businesses.”
