Champion mare Black Caviar has been humanely euthanised shortly after giving birth to a Snitzel colt on Saturday.
The latest foal was the ninth from Black Caviar after a stellar career on the racetrack that netted 25 wins, including victory at Royal Ascot in 2012 in front of The Queen.
Peter Moody, who trained the mare to her unbeaten record of 25 wins, said Black Caviar had a milk infection about a week a week and with a lot of treatments, it went straight to her feet.
He said Black Caviar, who would have turned 18 on Sunday, had begun to founder as a result of laminitis.
“She had a colt this morning and then they put her down on humane grounds,” an emotional Moody said.
“They scanned her feet yesterday and there was no blood flow at all.
“She had minimal blood flow in her feet anyhow as she was such a big girl.”
Moody admitted the death of Black Caviar had brought him to tears.
“I rang all the family and the staff, Paddy Bell and those close with her, and I sat in the car and cried for an hour as I was ringing them,” Moody said.
“I have a bloke (from the stable, Giovanni Spiga) in hospital, and I haven’t shed a tear, but a horse has died, and I’m crying.
“You don’t think it affects you, but it does. It’s impossible not to get attached to most animals, but one like her, you cannot but do so.
“You get reminded of her almost every day whenever you turn on the TV, there she was shooting past the post.”
Victoria Racing Club Chairman Neil Wilson extended his condolences to the ownership group along with Moody and her regular rider Luke Nolen.
He said the news was a shock.
“Black Caviar was more than a champion racehorse, she was an important part of life for many people,” Wilson said.
“Her brilliance, her presence and the pleasure and inspiration she gave to so many was a special moment in time for horse racing and sport more generally.
“She has created a piece of history that will be remembered forever, and it was a privilege for all who saw this wonderful equine athlete in action.
“Our heartfelt condolences go out to those close to her, including our friends in the ownership group. To Black Caviar’s trainer Peter Moody and jockey Luke Nolen, our thoughts are with you on this sad day.
“She was simply the best.”
Of the foals to race from Black Caviar, none have been able to reach the heights of their famous dam with Oscietra, Prince Of Caviar, Invincible Caviar and I Am Caviar being winners on the track.
