The death has been announced of 1991 Caulfield and Melbourne Cup winner Let's Elope at the age of 29.
The four time Group I winner was retired from breeding in 2008 and spent her final years as a nanny to foals with Chris and Kathie Bakker at Seven Creeks then at their Lauriston Park in Euroa, a role she performed happily.
"It's very sad but they don't live forever," Chris Bakker said.
"She just laid down during the night on Sunday and passed away. She went out with some dignity and on her own terms."
Bakker said Let's Elope will be buried at the farm.
"It's been a privilege to have looked after her for so long," Bakker said. "She is being buried here and will get a headstone a horse like her deserves."
Bred by Highview Stud, Let's Elope commenced her racing career in New Zealand where she won the Group III Centaine Stakes.
Transferred to Australia and into the care of trainer Bart Cummings, the daughter of Nassipour won four times at Group I level - the Caulfield Cup, Melbourne Cup and Mackinnon Stakes in 1991 and the Australian Cup the following year.
At stud she produced the Adelaide Cup winner Outback Joe and the Moonee Valley Vase winner Ustinov while her daughter Let's Get Famous left last year's Group III The Bart Cummings winner Let's Make Adeal.
Let's Elope was inducted into the Australian Racing Hall of Fame in 2012.
You can see her Melbourne Cup win here.
