There were quite a few teary eyes at Caulfield on Saturday, an emotional scene seldom seen on an Australian race course.

This was the occasion when the curtain finally came down on the illustrious career of an Australian icon, Black Caviar, (Nellie).

She has left a legacy to thoroughbred racing that grew with each of her 25 wins, she never failed to deliver.

A marvellous career that had to be seen to be believed, she was the magnet that attracted people that had never frequented racecourses previously, to what was a phenomenon, a truly great experience.

That was illustrated clearly at Flemington, Caulfield, Moonee Valley, Randwick, Eagle Farm and Morphettville; she was clearly racing’s most popular ambassadress.

There were very few people at Caulfield before the first, second, or third races, but how the waves rolled in thereafter in their thousands, all wanting to be a part of the action.

The great mare was paraded, before being mounted by Luke Nolan, and trotted down the entire length of the straight.

After the speech by the Premier, Denis Napthine, and the applause that followed, she was led away to the race stalls, then to the Peter Moody stable that has been home to her for much of her life.

Farewell Nellie