Over the last 6 months its been all we’ve really heard when it comes to history making potential match ups in the world of thoroughbreds.
For those of you who are new to the game, having these two horses in the same era is like having Joe Namath and Tom Brady in the NFL at the same time, Babe Ruth and Derek Jeter in the MLB or even Lebron James and Michael Jordan. They are currently both undefeated at the highest level of their sport, with Black Caviar on an amazing 22-0 record and Frankel on 11-0.
What it has been brought to light, and its a magnificent thing for our industry, is that there is plenty of passion alive and plenty of people who are new enthusiasts to the grand sport of thoroughbred racing. Both horses light up any track that they grace with their presence and bring a new excitement to each and every race day.
It seems the world is almost split into two hemispheres when it comes to deciding just who exactly is the greatest racehorse on the planet at the moment: Is it the magnificent specimen that is Frankel, a wonderfully built entire with the looks to match his immaculate pedigree…or is it the hulking wonder mare form down under, Black Caviar, the huge daughter of a successful Australian sprinter.
I personally believe that they cannot be compared fairly as they are different racehorses. Black Caviar is a sprinter and Frankel is a classic miler/middle distance horse. Even if they were to meet, would one race really do it justice? What’s not to say that one just might have a bad day and then next time turn it around? What distance is fair? Is it the 1200m sprint? a 1400m stretch? or the mile? These questions just cannot be answered. All we can really do is agree that we have been lucky enough to witness two equine champions in the same era that will long be the benchmark when we compare horses over the next quarter of a century
But wait…do I hear voices of disdain…cries to get off the fence, to choose whom we think is best here at FATR? Well, as much as it pains me to try and split these two magnificent horses who have done so much for the industry over the last year, I will say this…
Who has won more Grade 1 Races?
Who has won more races?
Who has won on the international stage, traveling out of their own hemisphere?
The answer to these 3 pertinent questions is Black Caviar.
Whilst I am still firmly of the belief to compare them truly is impossible, I choose the “Wonder Mare” for those reasons alone…but I am also very much aware that Frankel has more seasons to race if he chooses to, and more destinations to travel to if he chooses to…so who knows, in time he may eclipse her on these three fronts, and for me, until he does he cannot be called a superior racehorse. Perhaps the biggest payday for both would be the amount that may be paid for their offspring if they ever met in the breeding barn.