The party is over, but the dream will live on.
Black Caviar, arguably the greatest horse to race in Australia in 80 years and one of the best the world has ever seen, has retired undefeated, unharmed and with her record unblemished.
Black Caviar was unbeaten in 25 races, including 15 group one races.
Trainer Peter Moody made the shock announcement Wednesday, just days after her brilliant win in the TJ Smith Stakes at Randwick.
Moody says his team thought long and hard about racing on for another season, but they believe she has done everything they've asked her to and she couldn't have possibly done any more.
Moody says Black Caviar's 2013 campaign, which also netted wins in the Lightning Stakes and William Reid Stakes, had been a bonus after her Royal Ascot win last year took a heavy toll on the mare.
The news of Black Caviar's retirement has got some of the hottest studs on the planet preening and posing for the honour of helping the champion mare breed.
Redoubte's Choice, the sire of Black Caviar's half brother that sold for a record $5 million at the Easter Yearling sales last week, would be in line.
Owner John Messara says he'd love Black Caviar to come to any one of his stallions, but there will be plenty of competition for her and there'll be no rush to choose.
Fastnet Rockand Frankel are other contenders.
