Black Caviar, Australia’s greatest sprinter, has passed away aged 17 following a battle with laminitis.

On Saturday afternoon, the legendary racehorse’s ownership group released a statement confirming she had passed away peacefully the day before her 18th birthday. She was humanely euthanised at the Scone Equine Hospital on Saturday morning after giving birth to a foal.

“You don’t think it affects you,” trainer Peter Moody told reporters at Caulfield, as reported by Racing.com.

“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.

“Basically, it killed her feet.

“She had the foal this morning, a colt foal by Snitzel and they put her down shortly after that on humane grounds.

“They scanned her feet yesterday and there was no blood flow at all to her feet. There was minimum blood flow to her feet anyhow but there was none and she’s such a big girl.

“I rang all the staff and told them. They were all very upset.”

Black Caviar had 25 starts over a four-year career, winning all 25 races, including 15 at Group 1 level. She was added to the Australian Racing Hall of Fame after retiring in 2013, amassing nearly $8 million for prizemoney.

“Today’s news is a shock to us all,” Victoria Racing Club Chair Neil Wilson said in a statement.

“Black Caviar was more than a champion racehorse, she was an important part of life for many people. 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.

“The VRC was privileged to have Black Caviar race at Flemington and to have the Lightning Stakes named after her in 2013, a race she won three times including the first year it was named in her honour.

“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.”