Vale Black Caviar

The perfect one, Black Caviar, has died just a day short of her 18^th birthday.

Arguably Australia’s greatest ever sprinter, the wonder mare, affectionately known as Nelly, captivated the nation as she finished unbeaten from 25 starts including 15 at Group 1 level.

With Charleville’s favourite son, Peter Moody, calling the shots throughout her incredible career, Black Caviar enjoyed victories in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide and famously at Royal Ascot.

"She was a remarkable horse who gave us all the ride of a life time and wonderful memories," Moody said.

Having won close to $8 million in stakes, 24 of 25 of Black Caviar’s wins came at Listed or Group level, with only her debut in a 1000m scamper at Flemington in 2009 bucking the trend.

After a short battle with laminitis, Moody told reporters at Caulfield that she was humanely euthanised today.

“You don’t think it affects you,” Moody said.

“But you are being stupid not to think it doesn’t. It’s impossible not to get attached to most animals let alone one like her.

“She had a milk infection about a week ago, and we just treated it like you do with all broodmares, But, like a lot of treatments, it went straight to her feet.”

While the number 13 may be unlucky for some, it proved no impediment for Black Caviar in her one and only start in Queensland.

More than 20,000 rolled through the gates at Doomben in 2013, a throwback to the halcyon days of years gone by, to see her line-up in the Group 1 BTC Cup.

With Luke Nolen in the saddle, Black Caviar put on a show as she put her arch-rival, Hay List, to the sword with a two-length victory, with Buffering a further four-and-a-half lengths back in third.

Racing Queensland Executive General Manager Richard Goodbody said her legendary performance at Doomben was still fondly remembered.

“She was simply incredible.,” Goodbody said.

“Horses like her transcend racing, they galvanise the public and punters alike, and we collectively viewed her as our own when she went to Ascot and took on the world.

“But the scenes at Doomben when she came to town was like nothing we have seen since and may never again. She was box office.

“Everybody wanted to see Black Caviar and to say they were there. More than a decade on, those lucky enough to have been trackside, still treasure the day they saw the perfect one come to Queensland and solidify her reputation as the world’s best.

“When you rattle off the all-time greats, she sits comfortably near the top, and she will be sorely missed.”

Racing.com reported Moody called Nolen on Saturday morning to break the sad news several hours before it was released in an official statement from connections.

Nolen said despite his raceday association with Black Caviar ending more than a decade ago, the news still hit hard, with the Victorian hoop partnering her in all but three of her 25 victories.

“It’s a hollow feeling,” Nolen said.

“You could say she was just a horse, but she was more than a horse and that’s why we’re feeling a bit blue.

“She meant a great deal to us. 

“She was an integral part of my career but, more importantly, she was so important for racing itself.

“She was one of our equine heroes.

“It was great to be a part of her story, but I always felt a bit guilty because anyone could've done the job.”

Racing Queensland extends its condolences to the connections of Black Caviar.