( CNN ) -- With her doe eyes , razor-sharp cheek bones , flowing jet black locks and the most talked-about rump in the business , it 's no wonder she 's on the cover of arguably the world 's most prestigious fashion magazine . But in an unusual twist , the beguiling female bearing all on the front of this month 's Vogue is n't a model , actress , or musician . She 's not even human . Instead , the beautiful creature gracing the landmark Australian edition of the magazine is a six-year-old horse called Black Caviar . Not just any horse , but perhaps the greatest race horse of all time , unbeaten in a staggering 22 consecutive competitions across the globe and worth more than $ 7 million in prize money . Vogue Australia has featured Oscar-winning actresses , princesses and supermodels on its front covers , but now for the first time in the magazine 's 53-year history it will be a four-legged beauty looking out from the publication 's most important page . `` She 's beautiful . And Vogue is about celebrating the beautiful , '' Vogue Australia editor , Edwina McCann , told CNN . `` What goes on Vogue 's cover can create news in itself . It was n't just that Black Caviar was on the cover of any women 's magazine . The endorsement of the Vogue brand is a very big statement . '' Since demolishing the field in her first win in the 2009 Danehill Stakes , an air of mystique has followed the world champion sprinter . Her unblemished 22-win record is the second highest of all time , only trailing behind Hungarian horse Kincsem , which apparently took 54 races in the late 1800s . Queen Elizabeth personally congratulated the magnificent mare after her nailbiting win at the prestigious Diamond Jubilee Stakes in July . It was later revealed the thoroughbred had won the esteemed title with a leg injury -- only adding to her mythical invincibility . Unsurprisingly , horse racing-mad Australians have taken the champion thoroughbred to their hearts , with diehard Black Caviar fans even traveling to the other side of the world to cheer her on at Britain 's Royal Ascot . `` Her allegiance level is phenomenal , '' Colin Madden , one of Black Caviar 's eight owners , said . `` She 's a powerful horse who just fronts up every time and people really like that consistency . '' `` I do n't know if she 'll replace Phar Lap -- the gelding who dominated the Australian racing scene during the Great Depression of the 1930s -- but in the pantheon of equine greats she will stand very tall . '' Vogue had wanted to `` celebrate all things Australian '' for their December issue , believing Black Caviar vividly embodied the country 's unique `` fighting spirit . '' `` Australians are passionate about horse racing . We 're the only country in the world that literally stops for a horse race -- the Melbourne Cup , '' McCann said . `` We love a champion and Black Caviar strives to win even when the chips are down -- those principles are very dear to us . '' The photo shoot took place in a secret location in the Dandenong Ranges , just outside of Melbourne . Australian photographer Benny Horne captured the thoroughbred alongside compatriot model Julia Nobis in a purpose-built outdoor studio . `` Black Caviar definitely realizes when the camera is on her . Her ears go up , she sticks her head out , it 's almost like she 's posing , '' McCann said . `` She 's such a magnificent-looking animal . Her coat is this extraordinary pitch black , almost like velvet , with this handsomely structured face and that awesome rump that propels her so fast . '' Black Caviar 's owners have gone to great lengths to ensure her persona is aligned with sophistication and style . Everything from her name , to her salmon-colored silks and even her own line of grooming products are modeled on classy femininity . `` Vogue is synonymous with style , glamor , celebrity and exclusivity . That a horse has appeared on the front cover says something about both horse racing and the horse itself , '' Simon Chadwick , professor of Sport Business Strategy and Marketing at Coventry University , said . `` I think the sports market has now gone beyond simple endorsement , '' he added . `` It 's now more a form of strategic collaboration where brands with convergent interests associate themselves with one another . '' It is a momentous cover for the magazine which has largely steered cleared of controversial models . Among its more historic front pages was the September 1993 issue featuring Elaine George , the magazine 's first aboriginal model . However , `` This is definitely our most unusual cover , '' said McCann . For many aspiring models , gracing the cover of Vogue would be the ultimate elevation to 'It Girl ' status . Galling then , that Black Caviar seems to have beaten them to the post yet again .
Vogue Australia features horse on front cover for first time . Champion thoroughbred Black Caviar arguably greatest race horse . Winning streak and beautiful physique capture nation 's imagination . Photoshoot in secret location to protect horse worth almost $ 7m .