The Racing Post on race morning had pleaded for Black Caviar to Dazzle Us Baby!

The wash-up aptly nailed it with the headline said Strewth. For all the job done, there was obviously much talk of how Luke Nolens pilot error almost costs Black Caviar the most famous of her 22 victories and her invincibility at the same time. And Luke was at his Aiden OBrien mea culpa best apologising and hands up and ready for a Moody boot up the arse, though Aidens sorries for getting So You Think so wrong was more Sunday confessional and say your hail Marys. In the end she didnt dazzle but she didnt disappoint. This was the most spectacular of days at the races. Sure she wasnt at her best, but the course was, as it fiercely bubbled all day on the back of the Black Caviar phenomenon. And there was a chilling silence as all waiting for the number to go up. 77,000 people make a lot of silence. But a fair proportion of them were Aussies who had made the pilgrimage in all sorts of salmon and black, the most notable a sea of her ties sported with morning suits. Wherever you went on the course there was an Australian accent or a knowing nod to another BC fan. Many were interviewed or photographed by all forms of media. Ascot had not seen its like before. Even stuffy old hob knobs were said to be moved by the occasion, when a racetrack became more like a music festival frenzied. For all the history and majesty of this most traditional of meetings, Royal Ascot came to life on Saturday like no other racetrack experience that I have witnessed. Melbourne Cup day is a party around a two mile handicap race, Hong Kong International raceday is a puntathon on the worlds best turf horses and Dubai lives up to the meaning of its racetrack name Meydan as the meeting place. The Royal week at Ascot delivered to script. Frankel pounding the track to victory on day one, So You Think back to his rightful pedestal day two, Frankie too on day three, the Queen even getting a win on day four but this was different. Royal Ascot on Saturday was all about one thing Black Caviar. To watch the Queen stand solemnly next to the winners stall, herself admiring the mare before Peter Moody and Patty Bell brought her over for the Queen just to pat her was a memorable moment, but then one of so many. The pre-parade ring brought out hardened old jumps trainers, legends in the UK who just wanted to see and I-phone the horse they had heard was bigger and heavier than their mighty champion Denman. That they didnt see the best of Black Caviar matters not. Sure it would have been nice to nail a big margin win in her traditional handbrake ease and it the end it was her narrowest of wins. But it was a win and now there are 22 of them, no other equine athlete can challenge that unvanquished record.

This was an assignment that no-one in team Black Caviar had underestimated. That they as Peter Moody said had the balls to take up the challenge was to be admired. We nearly lost them, said owner Neil Werrett post race. This team of owners have been marvellous for racing and perhaps unlike teams that raced previous great gallopers that tore friendships apart, Black Caviar has strengthen family and extended family. When they do something, they do it together from tow babies in their silks to the aged. To be able to share some of this ride these past few weeks in the UK and over Nellys career has also been a privilege. Watching them queue to take their photos with the Diamond Jubilee trophy over and over again in various family and ownership structures just showed how much they savoured then occasion. Sadly the trophy had a sticker on the bottom 2011 Society Rock. They get to keep the trophy for a year. Then it was off to Home House in Portman Square for more of the same. Luke Nolen was still playing the game but realising also that this was a special victory, not an inglorious disaster to spoil a big big party. As for the big fella, Moods was nowhere to be seen. He has had enough. Of everything. He wants to get home, so does Black Caviar, so do all of us. It has been a stunning journey. Job done. Crikey what a trip!