This image, and story, is running in the Sunday Telegraph this weekend.  It's also going into the Herald Sun (actually they may have chosen different images).  From the online issue of the HSun they have spelt my name incorrectly, which, if it runs Front Page, like they said this afternoon it would, will be frustrating.  The image of the horse, and the fact that she has earnt yet another front page however, is the main thing.  Peter Moody is tired of all the press attention.  He was reluctant to speak and give words.  I gave him a little nudge yesterday, and said I'd think he would be really ace if he gave them something.  Judging by the article, I think he has.  He's a treasure.. I'm watching "The West Wing".  It's the final episode of Series 2. When President Bartlett faces the press conference about whether he'll stand for re-election. It's my absolute favourite episode of this great series that I love.  Yes.  I like Ame...

This is a big weekend for me.  And today I was fortunate enough to be allowed to visit the Famous Pony Black Caviar again. I've been wanting to do these for some time. Moody had said one day he would do these.  He was good to his word.  And they were worth the wait.    Peter Moody is terrific.....  I've always maintained that there is a real bond between him and 'his little girl'.  Judge for yourself.  It's hard not to like someone who has such a natural and easy way with horses.  We have Peter Moody to thank for the legend that is Black Caviar. And for that I will be forever grateful.

I'm still trying to get a stamp after being with a Pony down in very lovely horse territory. I am following my wits slightly as I came off Eastlink onto Bulleen road, heading for Northlands. I navigated this exact route once before. I gazed thoughtfully at the large Ford Dealership on the corner of Manningham and Something-Else Road. It was my landmark to turn off to have a cup of tea at a friend's house.  I will have to start thinking about a new car soon. Except I don't want a Ford. Perhaps the stamps will have arrived and the nice Post Office lady will have remembered to put some aside for me?  When I get back I have some lovely and intimate photos to go through. They are just what I was seeking to achieve.

I looked at the paper today, and lamented the fact that the Daily Telegraph's terrific picture editor hadn't been able to get his suggestion of one of my images on the front cover wrap around of today's paper.  It got pulled late last night.  In it's place is sadly an out of focus image which doesn't do the great Famous Pony Black Caviar nearly enough justice.   In looking through the paper, when I read Ray Thomas' "A Royal Farewell for turf Queen', I looked at the image on page 92-93, of Moody kissing his champion.  I thought it looked familiar.  It is this image.  I do wish they would put the bylines on more regularly though!  I should go to bed, because I want to photograph All Too Hard's trial tomorrow morning.  But sleep isn't coming easily to me at the moment.....

It is the day after the announcement that the Famous Pony Black Caviar has been retired.  My eyes are puffy and sore, and I feel tired.  It will take a little time for it to all sink in, and then there is the task of refocusing both on the job at hand this weekend at Royal Randwick, and for what my future may bring with Black Caviar as she embarks on the next important phase in her career at stud.  I've also just had another phone call, about something very important, and that's lifted my spirits somewhat because it is prestigious and will be important to me.   But I admit that I am feeling the loss acutely today. I'm touched by some of the beautiful messages coming in on my Bronwen Healy Photography Facebook Page .  They speak so lovingly of the horse, and of the images I've worked hard to create over the past 2 and a half years.  These are some of the comments that have struck a chord with me: "Isn't this when we say don't cry for what we...

We are inconsolable.  Not at the decision, which is of course the correct one, but at the realisation that it IS over, at least from a racetrack point of view.  My Famous Pony, the great unbeaten champion Black Caviar, has just been retired. Thank you Nelly, or Princess.  You've been my love, my darling..  And meant so much to me.  And sitting here in my lounge room, with Jessica in tears, and me in tears as well, I've never felt so alone..... Postscript : 2 hours later, I am sitting on the grass, at the feet of my own mare Freelance. As ever, at key moments in my life, I turn to my horse. I sit and listen to her eat. Breath in the smell of her and her dinner. There is a newly delivered round bale of hay for her to enjoy while I am away this weekend. I am reflecting on the last 2 and a half years. And the last 3 months in particular, which ironically is almost to the day. And I'm trying to envisage the racetrack and my life without this key figure tha...

There are eight sleeps to go.  What for?????  That's a silly question!  The Famous Pony, Black Caviar, will face the starter for the 24th time in 8 sleeps time.  That's what for... Have I started pacing the house yet?  Not quite yet, but already the pressure is rising and the anticipation is growing.  It's a busy period between now and then, and there are 2 very important photoshoot outside of my trip to Warwick Farm on Saturday that we are trying our best to schedule before I arrive on course at Moonee Valley.  They may well fall on raceday, which means that I am likely to collapse exhausted by the end of Friday evening.  There will be no rest (apart from a short sleep on the plane), because I am unlikely to be home from the Valley before midnight on Friday evening and then I am on  a 7.30am flight from Melbourne to Sydney for the Ranvet Stakes at Rosehill Gardens.  More Joyous and Pierro should be awaiting me on this day.  Bu...

I had a lovely and funny conversation with turf doyen Les Carlyon at Flemington Racecourse last Saturday.  He jokingly ticked me off and told me I should be working on photographs instead of watching Blackadder at night!  I asked how he knew I had been watching Blackadder!  He replied that he reads my Blog!  So we then proceeded to swap stories of which scenes and lines we liked the best.  I think Hugh Laurie, Stephen Fry and Rowan Atkinson are 3 of the funniest people on the planet!! We both loved the "Flanders Pigeon Murderer" (not the real name) episode, as well as the episode before it when Blackadder 'stole' George's painting and claimed it as his own, with George not allowed to speak without permission.  Hugh Laurie is ace, especially his huge goggly eyed face when where he burst out "Permission to jolly well speak right now sir, otherwise I might just burst like a bally balloon !!!" And let's face it, I like to think that it is a h...