The talented Mauritian based galloper Black Cat Back,  bred by Patricia Devine Investments Pty Ltd and foaled at the Klipdrif Stud in Robertson, has had a wonderful campaign in Mauritius.

Patricia Devine, who played such a pivotal role inbreeding the Mauritian star, reminisced recently about Black Cat Back in an article for the L’Express Turf publication.

First of all some interesting facts about Black Cat Back. He was born on 7th August, 2013.
By Black Minnaloushe (USA)/Storm Cat – out of National Celebrity by National Assembly. The colt weighed 49 kg at birth & grew into a magnificent, strong & proud yearling.
We actually named him «ROYAL SKABENGA» (he was registered with this name by the NHRA) named after the famous resident cat at the five star Oyster Box Hotel in Umhlanga Rocks in Durban. The cat even has his own Facebook page!
The new owner of the horse changed his name, which is supposed to be very unlucky in racing lore, but it just shows you, when you have a good horse, it matters not how or what you name him, or if you change his name! In South Africa he was a very good racehorse winning three in a row and racing amongst the best.

He was just 2 L off the winner in a Grade 1 race. He also ran very well to Edict Of Nantes in a Pinnacle Stakes.We are bursting with pride at having bred the
now seven year old Black Cat Back who won the Colonel Draper Cup at the Mauritius Turf Club, Champ de Mars, Port Louis, for the second year in succession.
And now to win a Grade 1 race a few weeks later –what a courageous horse.
We wish to extend our hearty congratulations to the owners, trainer & jockey. We are so excited for you.
We remember when Black Cat Back was being ‘backed and broken in’ at John Koster’s stud Klawervlei Farm at Bonnievale in the Cape, they spoke very highly of the yearling who showed them so much promise at such an early stage of his life. He was a great favourite of all the staff. A real character too.
Because we were so impressed with Black Cat Back, we kept his half sister “Captain’s Darling” (by Captain Al) to race and thereafter to go to stud.
He has a lovely looking half brother by Silvano “Silver Celebrity” which we sold and he will be starting to race soon with Justin Snaith.
Of course, Black Cat Back should be the champion he is, as he comes from the same famous family as South African’s darling of the tracks – no other than the exciting champion “Summer Pudding.”
The dam of Black Cat Back, National Celebrity, sadly died this year – a great loss to us, especially now that her son has won an important Grade 1 race.
It all sounds like a fairy tale, but fairy tales are part of the charm of the wonderful sport of racing. We watch The Cup race live and when Black Cat Back moved into the lead and looked like winning we became very emotional and excited. We shouted him home with the rest of the Mauritian crowd.