Those who feel like it was only yesterday that Black Caviar was racing can be excused for feeling a little older when they learn a grandson of the legendary sprinter is engaged to run on Tuesday.
Keysborough will become the next generation of one of the most famous families in Australian racing to hit the track when he runs in the $35,000 Whitford Liquid Waste 2YO Maiden Plate (1000m) that kicks off the Ballarat card.
By champion stallion I Am Invincible, Keysborough is the first foal from Oscietra, who was the result of Black Caviar’s first trip to the breeding barn, which was a meeting with Exceed And Excel.
Oscietra’s career, which was overseen by Hall of Fame trainer David Hayes , started with a third placing at Flemington before wins at Geelong and Ballarat before being retired after just five starts.
Keysborough is prepared by Michael, Wayne and John Hawkes, who have fitted him up for his debut with two 800m Flemington jumpouts, the latest resulting in a comfortable all-the-way win in 47.43 seconds.
Keysborough will be ridden by Jye Mcneil and is a $4.20 second favourite in TAB’s market, which is headed by the Anthony and Sam Freedman-trained Cannonball.
Oscietra returned to I Am Invincible after giving birth to Keysborough and has a yearling colt, while she last spring gave birth to another colt, by Churchill.
Oscietra is not the only daughter of Black Caviar who is now a broodmare with the former champion sprinter’s third foal Out Of Caviar (Snitzel) having produced filly by I Am Invincible that is now a yearling while she also has a weanling colt by Toronado.