Black Caviar under 24-hour guard

Published Jun. 21, 2012 1:00 a.m. ET

foxsports

Two stablehands breached security in the stables of champion Australian racehorse Black Caviar in England, forcing a 24-hour guard and extra measures to be put in place ahead of her race debut at Royal Ascot on Saturday.

The men tried to take pictures of themselves with the world's best sprinter after entering her stable at Abington Place, near Newmarket racecourse, in England.

Trainer Peter Moody's stable representatives decided to take no chances after the incident and strictly limited access to the stable and its surrounds to just staff, owners and selected media.

A security firm was employed to guard the stable entrance day and night after the scare -- just days after Black Caviar arrived in England two weeks ago.

Tony Haydon, Moody's stable foreman who traveled from Australia with Black Caviar, said Thursday night every precaution was put in place to ensure the mare's safety. After the initial security breach they decided to "take no chances with stable security."

There is a huge Australian contingent in England to see Black Caviar race at Royal Ascot, where she will attempt to win her 22nd race from as many starts in the Group 1 Diamond Jubilee Stakes.

Royal Ascot officials are expecting a sell-out crowd of nearly 80,000 to attend the final day, including more than 5,000 Australians who have made applications for tickets.

Black Caviar completed cantering exercise on Newmarket's Al Bathari training track Thursday morning with Moody declaring the great mare "has never been fitter."