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Black Caviar
Black Caviar has captured the heart of a nation like no sporting figure since the days of Phar Lap and Don Bradman. This is greatness the likes of which is rarely seen. This is a tale that will not weary. This is the authorised story of the horse that couldn't be beaten, by acclaimed journalist and broadcaster Gerard Whateley.
Black Caviar is the biography of the Australian champion, written by acclaimed journalist and broadcaster Gerard Whateley, with a foreword by Peter Moody, BLACK CAVIAR this book documents the career of the racehorse who transcended the track to become an Australian icon. It begins with the entrancing story of champion trainer Peter Moody, a self-made man bred in the remote outback of Queensland, who came to select and guide the fastest horse the world had ever seen. Under Moody's patient and masterful guidance, the hulking injury-prone filly matured into a champion, idolized by a devoted following more akin to a rock band than a racehorse. Her gift is to defy the very nature of sport, making victory look both certain and effortless. But would her customary speed be enough to prevail at the most famous race track of all? At the climax of the tale, half a world away from her devoted nation and in front of the Queen, Black Caviar set out to conquer the world. With her invincible run and marauding dominance, Black Caviar has returned racing to the glory days of more than half a century past and secured a reputation that will echo for as long as horses are sent out to race.
Black Caviar is the biography of the Australian champion, written by acclaimed journalist and broadcaster Gerard Whateley, with a foreword by Peter Moody, BLACK CAVIAR this book documents the career of the racehorse who transcended the track to become an Australian icon. It begins with the entrancing story of champion trainer Peter Moody, a self-made man bred in the remote outback of Queensland, who came to select and guide the fastest horse the world had ever seen. Under Moody's patient and masterful guidance, the hulking injury-prone filly matured into a champion, idolized by a devoted following more akin to a rock band than a racehorse. Her gift is to defy the very nature of sport, making victory look both certain and effortless. But would her customary speed be enough to prevail at the most famous race track of all? At the climax of the tale, half a world away from her devoted nation and in front of the Queen, Black Caviar set out to conquer the world. With her invincible run and marauding dominance, Black Caviar has returned racing to the glory days of more than half a century past and secured a reputation that will echo for as long as horses are sent out to race.
- GenresNonfictionAnimals
390 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2012
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67 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
June 15, 2017
Read for the 2017 POPSUGAR Reading Challenge prompt 'A Book with a Title that's a Character's Name'
6/6 - Finally finished this!! I've been reading this to my grandad, a chapter a week (if that, sometimes my grandad would say that he didn't feel well enough to pay attention to it) since January. So, I've been reading it for an amazingly long five months, but when you're only reading a chapter a week 370 pages doesn't really fly by (the book's actually 390 pages, but Grandad wasn't interested in the acknowledgements).
I have absolutely no interest in horse racing or horses/jockeys, but as I said to Grandad this morning after finishing it, Black Caviar is the only horse who hasn't won the Melbourne Cup whose name, silks, and accomplishments I actually know. Her stable name was Nelly (after Dame Nelly Melba), her silks (as you can see on the cover) were salmon pink with black spots, and she achieved the record number of wins in a row for any horse ever, 25 undefeated races including her final at Royal Ascot in front of the Queen.
I won't read this again, I only read it because Grandad's sight is so bad that he can no longer see the tv, let alone read a book and he wouldn't have had a chance to finish it otherwise (he had to stop reading it near the middle when it no longer mattered how much light he had shining on the page or how strong the magnifying glass he was using was, he just couldn't see the words). I will be donating this to the local charity store, but not until Grandad's gone just in case he asks to have it read to him again. Our next read-aloud book is going to be Tobruk by Peter FitzSimons (although Grandad assured me it was actually written by Les Carlyon and there's no arguing with him, I'll just have to present him with the evidence as proof next week).
6/6 - Finally finished this!! I've been reading this to my grandad, a chapter a week (if that, sometimes my grandad would say that he didn't feel well enough to pay attention to it) since January. So, I've been reading it for an amazingly long five months, but when you're only reading a chapter a week 370 pages doesn't really fly by (the book's actually 390 pages, but Grandad wasn't interested in the acknowledgements).
I have absolutely no interest in horse racing or horses/jockeys, but as I said to Grandad this morning after finishing it, Black Caviar is the only horse who hasn't won the Melbourne Cup whose name, silks, and accomplishments I actually know. Her stable name was Nelly (after Dame Nelly Melba), her silks (as you can see on the cover) were salmon pink with black spots, and she achieved the record number of wins in a row for any horse ever, 25 undefeated races including her final at Royal Ascot in front of the Queen.
I won't read this again, I only read it because Grandad's sight is so bad that he can no longer see the tv, let alone read a book and he wouldn't have had a chance to finish it otherwise (he had to stop reading it near the middle when it no longer mattered how much light he had shining on the page or how strong the magnifying glass he was using was, he just couldn't see the words). I will be donating this to the local charity store, but not until Grandad's gone just in case he asks to have it read to him again. Our next read-aloud book is going to be Tobruk by Peter FitzSimons (although Grandad assured me it was actually written by Les Carlyon and there's no arguing with him, I'll just have to present him with the evidence as proof next week).
November 13, 2012
I really enjoyed this book. I am a fan of horse-racing in general and have quite a few books on the subject but I think that has been the best of them. If you have followed the career of Black Caviar at all I think you would find this well worth reading, it is detailed but not tediously so, the people are interesting and you get a good sense of the journey that all involved with the horse have been on.
September 3, 2018
I loved reliving this incredible horse's journey and learning so much more along the way. I went to see her race in Adelaide and I stayed up late into the night to see the coverage of her race in the UK, and I'm "horsey"- I grew up riding and totally besotted by horses, and I rode and worked with racehorses for a few years- so I figured I'd like this one, but I didn't expect to LOVE it.
I listened to the audiobook on my daily commutes (often up to 2hrs each way) and found I wanted to keep driving to hear more! I ended up reading the odd section of the hardback copy I had lying around cos I couldn't wait.
Far from being a plain this-happened-then-that retelling, this book was masterfully entertaining, balancing interesting insights from many involved and relevant stories of other great horses/bits of racing history with the emotional highs and lows of racing. I was struck by how this book touched me, I got tears in my eyes almost every chapter!
She was a true champion, and who doesn't love a champion?
I listened to the audiobook on my daily commutes (often up to 2hrs each way) and found I wanted to keep driving to hear more! I ended up reading the odd section of the hardback copy I had lying around cos I couldn't wait.
Far from being a plain this-happened-then-that retelling, this book was masterfully entertaining, balancing interesting insights from many involved and relevant stories of other great horses/bits of racing history with the emotional highs and lows of racing. I was struck by how this book touched me, I got tears in my eyes almost every chapter!
She was a true champion, and who doesn't love a champion?
February 12, 2017
Gerard has a wonderful way with words, which comes through in this book about the unbeaten champion. A great tribute to the mighty mare.
March 2, 2019
Need to watch each race on youtube along with this book
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December 1, 2019ABC Reporter Gerard Whateley has followed the raise of this horse from the very beginning. He has interviewed the who's who of the racing industry for this book.
October 21, 2024
Amazing horse. Amazing story. What a superstar. I loved this book.
September 20, 2025
A well-written account of the Black Caviar phenomenon with great insights, photos and behind the scenes information.
February 4, 2017
"She looks at the 30,000 strong crowd and says, 'Geez, I'm good! NO, I'M NOT GOOD!
I'M THE BEST YOU'VE EVER SEEN IN THE WORLD!'"
This was the call for one of the most historic races in Australian (and, let's be fair -- world) thoroughbred history, the 20th consecutive win of an equine phenom. The race caller let himself get swept away by the ever-lengthening strides of arguably the fastest horse of the 21st century (so far) -- Black Caviar.
Do a search of "black caviar" here at Goodreads and you'll find several books on the great mare. This is the official biography. Official? For a horse? Really? Well, there is a lot of money to be made off of the right horse and so Black Caviar has the odd distinction of having official merchandise sold in her name.
When I was a kid, I pretended to have my own racing stable. My best horse would be a tall black filly named Invincible. Very few real horses have come close to looking like my imaginary steeds, but Black Caviar came damn close to being Invincible come to life.
This is a strange biography of Black Caviar and her trainer, Peter Moody. It's like reading Seabiscuit while on Ecstasy. Everything is just so goddammed PROFOUND and POETIC. It gets very annoying at times. This book only focuses up to Black Caviar's win at Royal Ascot, which is a bit of a relief since I could not have tolerated any more emotive descriptions of before, during and after each race.
It also claims that Black Caviar is not a good looking horse. Are you KIDDING ME? Here she is:
In case this is the first horse racing book review of mine you have read, hello. I used to be a die hard racing fan and then saw the light in 1999 when Charismatic broke down during the 1999 Belmont. Then I hated racing for the abuses to horses. Now I'm caught in the middle. Seems sometimes (just sometimes, mind) horse racing can transcend mere mortal sport and touch the eternal.
Strewth -- now I'M doing it.
This was the call for one of the most historic races in Australian (and, let's be fair -- world) thoroughbred history, the 20th consecutive win of an equine phenom. The race caller let himself get swept away by the ever-lengthening strides of arguably the fastest horse of the 21st century (so far) -- Black Caviar.
Do a search of "black caviar" here at Goodreads and you'll find several books on the great mare. This is the official biography. Official? For a horse? Really? Well, there is a lot of money to be made off of the right horse and so Black Caviar has the odd distinction of having official merchandise sold in her name.
When I was a kid, I pretended to have my own racing stable. My best horse would be a tall black filly named Invincible. Very few real horses have come close to looking like my imaginary steeds, but Black Caviar came damn close to being Invincible come to life.
This is a strange biography of Black Caviar and her trainer, Peter Moody. It's like reading Seabiscuit while on Ecstasy. Everything is just so goddammed PROFOUND and POETIC. It gets very annoying at times. This book only focuses up to Black Caviar's win at Royal Ascot, which is a bit of a relief since I could not have tolerated any more emotive descriptions of before, during and after each race.
It also claims that Black Caviar is not a good looking horse. Are you KIDDING ME? Here she is:
In case this is the first horse racing book review of mine you have read, hello. I used to be a die hard racing fan and then saw the light in 1999 when Charismatic broke down during the 1999 Belmont. Then I hated racing for the abuses to horses. Now I'm caught in the middle. Seems sometimes (just sometimes, mind) horse racing can transcend mere mortal sport and touch the eternal.
Strewth -- now I'M doing it.
May 22, 2015
This was an audiobook read by Adrian Mulraney. I have to mention that I really liked listening to Adrian reading Black Caviar which was so very well written by Gerard Whateley. Adrian, doesn't try to act out any character voices, there is no overdone tones, he is smooth and even, and therefore he doesn't annoy the listener by bringing attention to himself; no strange quirkiness which I have noticed in other audiobooks. Adrian is a particularly good reader and does this story justice.
I really enjoyed, Black Caviar. I do like horse racing and horses but I'm not a fanatic, and I do like the occasional bet.
So, having said all that, this book really appealed to me. It was a well-rounded, well-constructed, factual account of the legend that has become the fastest horse in the world, Black Caviar. The story gives us an in depth look at Peter Moody, Caviar's Trainer and Luke Nolan, Jockey. Not too much about the owners but enough to not go over ground already covered heavily at the time that Black Caviar was racing. I can confidently recommend this book to anyone who loves horses, racing or betting as it covers all bases. Enjoy!
I really enjoyed, Black Caviar. I do like horse racing and horses but I'm not a fanatic, and I do like the occasional bet.
So, having said all that, this book really appealed to me. It was a well-rounded, well-constructed, factual account of the legend that has become the fastest horse in the world, Black Caviar. The story gives us an in depth look at Peter Moody, Caviar's Trainer and Luke Nolan, Jockey. Not too much about the owners but enough to not go over ground already covered heavily at the time that Black Caviar was racing. I can confidently recommend this book to anyone who loves horses, racing or betting as it covers all bases. Enjoy!
December 28, 2016
Very enjoyable. So much goes on behind the scenes. Very well read by the narrator. This book has actually made me want to go back and watch the races and the Australian Story segment now that I'm more familiar with the various players in this story. After hearing about the races and the dramas surrounding some of them I want to watch them from a different perspective.
I do wonder why they never went fur the track records though.
I do wonder why they never went fur the track records though.
April 20, 2013
This is not really so much a biography of Black Caviar, as a biography of her trainer Peter Moody, and his creation of a horse that has achieved the world’s perfect race score.
To read full review: http://newtownreviewofbooks.com/2012/...
To read full review: http://newtownreviewofbooks.com/2012/...
January 10, 2013
You should love racing to read this fabulous book but even if you don't you'll be caught up in the details around this amazing horse. Gerald has done brilliant research & presented it in a most exciting way including transcripts of the race calls in BC's races. Just love it.
January 18, 2015
I have a passion for the behind-the-scenes world of horseracing, so not sure if that is a prerequisite...but I loved it. Brimming with hilarious and heartfelt quotes and interesting snippets...I've given Black Caviar a home on the bookshelf next to Marilyn Monroe and she seems quite at home.
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January 3, 2013Great book - hopefully there will be a second book if she keeps racing.
November 8, 2013
Great story about racing and a fabulous horse.
February 21, 2014
Well researched, however it was too disjointed and superficial for my taste.
July 12, 2014
One for the true horse fanatic - and I'm one so enjoyed it...
July 29, 2013
Hard to knock this form.
March 26, 2017
An enjoyable book about an Australian animal legend. Black Caviar also travelled overses and won in the UK so she certainly was an international star. A lot of racing terminolgy but then you might not read this if you don't like horses anyway!
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews