Nicconi ridden by Damien Oliver wins Coolmore Lightning Stakes in 2010. (Racing Photos)

The Black Caviar Lightning in numbers

7 February 2024 • Written by Joe McGrath

With a prestigious history featuring sprinting legends and Hall of Fame inductees, we explore some standout numbers from the Group 1 Black Caviar Lightning from years gone by.

Jockeys with the most wins in the race:

5 - Damien Oliver	Schillaci (1992 & 93), Gold Ace (1996), Testa Rossa (2000) and Nicconi (2010)
4 - Harry White	Black Onyx (1970), Zambari (1972), Cap d’Antibes (1975) and The Judge (1979)

Trainers with the most wins in the race:

7 - Bart Cummings	Storm Queen (1967), Century (1974), Cap D’Antibes (1975), Maybe Mahal (1977 & 78), Hula Chief (NZ) (1986) and Shaftesbury Avenue (1991)
6 - Lee Freedman	Schillaci (1992 & 93), Mahogany (1995 & 97), Gold Ace (1996) and Miss Andretti (2007)

Horses with the most wins in the race:

3	Black Caviar (2011, 12 & 13)
2	Sky High (1961 & 62), Wenona Girl (1963 & 64), Maybe Mahal (1977 & 78), River Rough (1984 & 85), Schillaci (1992 & 93) and Mahogany (1995 & 97)

Record breaker: the brilliance of Black Caviar

Like any top athlete, when the conditions align, performance can exceed expectations. This was evident in Black Caviar’s appearance at the 2013 Black Caviar Lightning Stakes (G1), a race she had won for the previous two years and was named in her honour.

It was only apt that in her third consecutive attempt at the rich 1000m sprint, the planets would align to put on a breathtaking performance. With no Hay List or Buffering to contend with she carved out incredible sectionals; so much so that Black Caviar would record a brilliant, record-breaking 55.42 sec in the weight-for-age sprint, the fastest time recorded over 1000 metres down the famous Flemington straight.

It was as if she knew this would be her last performance at Flemington and she wanted to put on a show that everyone would remember. And what better way to do it than to break the track record in the process. Peter Moody trained the first three placegetters that year, with her stablemates Moment of Change and Golden Archer filling the top spots.

Other notable numbers:

2	The first two-year-old to win the Lightning Stakes was a young grey colt by the name of Misting. He won in 1958 carrying 7 stone or approximately 5kg under the weight-for-age scale, surprising punters at odds of 20/1
6st 11lb	In 1959, Ritmar became the first filly to win the race carrying this weight, and was also a two-year-old as per the previous year’s winner. (6st 11lb is approximately 43.09kg.)
43	The number of kilograms carried to victory by Desirable in 1976. Being a two-year-old filly, she was allotted the featherweight under the weight-for-age conditions of the race and saluted by a short half-head for then apprentice jockey Malcolm Johnston. Second placegetter Leica Show carried 55.5kg, some 12.5kg more than Desirable.
4	The number of Lightning Stakes winners sired by champion stallion Star Kingdom, the most of any sire across the race’s 69-year existence.
1973	The year that racing adopted the Metric system with the race distance translating across from a 5-furlong race to the 1000 metres that we see today. A furlong translates to approximately 201 metres.
2	Barrier 2 has produced the most winners of the Lightning with nine winners jumping from the stall on the inside of the straight track. Barrier 3 is next with eight winners and then Barrier 5 and Barrier 1 with six.
24	The number of three-year-olds to win the Lightning, the most successful age in the race's history.

Join us in celebrating the legacy of the great Black Caviar whose stellar career consisted of 25 undefeated races. Some of the world’s fastest horses will be lining up in the $1,000,000 Group 1 Black Caviar Lightning (1000m), named in the legendary mare’s honour.

The Flemington Fareground makes an exciting return, transformed into an ultimate resort style experience, entrance is free with your race day ticket. Find out more

The Black Caviar Lightning in numbers

Jockeys with the most wins in the race:

Trainers with the most wins in the race:

Horses with the most wins in the race:

Record breaker: the brilliance of Black Caviar

Other notable numbers:

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