Black Caviar and Luke Nolan: The bond that defined a career

“I didn’t like school much,” Nolen says of his early years, having worked in racing stables from his teens. “But it was always the horse. That’s what grabbed me.” More than four decades into his career, that same fascination remains — and it was that connection that defined his partnership with the undefeated champion.

Nolen first felt Black Caviar’s power in a trial. She missed the kick, as she often did early in her career, but what lay beneath was unmistakable.

“It’s like going from a Leyland Mini to a Ferrari,” he explains. “You just know when you’re on a good one.”

Few, however, could have predicted what would follow: 25 starts, 25 wins, and an aura that transcended racing.

At Flemington, particularly down the famous straight, Black Caviar was at her most exhilarating. She travelled with purpose, breaking fields apart before unleashing another surge. “She’d be the last one off the bridle and still have a kick,” Nolen recalls. “She took a monster stride but did it using less energy than anything around her.”

Despite the expectation and intense media spotlight, Nolen remained grounded.

“I was part of the show — I wasn’t the show,” he says.

His focus never shifted from the job at hand. Victory often brought relief as much as elation, especially as the winning streak mounted.

Today, he looks back with gratitude. “I was in a wonderfully fortunate position,” he reflects. “Good horses change careers. She’ll always be part of mine.”

For Nolen, the legacy of Black Caviar isn’t just about perfection — it’s about partnership, privilege and a bond that will endure well beyond the winning post.