Legendary mare Makybe Diva has passed away at the age of 27.

She won seven Group 1s across her career, but was most known for winning three Melbourne Cup’s in a row between 2003 and 2005.

Unfortunately, she had suffered a battle with colic which was confirmed by owner Tony Santic which resulted in her passing.

She was the only horse in history to have won three Melbourne Cup’s in a row.

This would result in the icon of Australian horse racing to be nominated into the Australian Racing Hall of Fame in 2006.

Speaking to Channel 7’s Xander McGuire, Santic said that Maykbe Diva was never just a race horse but apart of his family.

“From the days she came into our lives, she was never just a race horse. She was family,” he said.

“She gave us moments Australia will never forget. But more than that, she gave us joy every single day.

“She was loved from the beginning, she stayed loved for her whole life.”

While

She was brilliant right to the end. What can we say? She just left such an incredible footprint in Australian sport. Not only in racing, she went far beyond that. She was the gift that kept giving,” he said.

”I don’t think we’ll ever see this ever happen again in our sport to do what she did. Going up on weights, logistically to have an animal that an athlete that good on that particular day going up on weights, it just defies any logic.

”But she was an absolute champion. So today’s a celebration of her legacy, what she’s done, what she’s done for me personally. I cannot thank her enough. I was privileged to see her only a couple of months ago. She looked so gorgeous, her eye was clear, her skin was amazing, her feet were really well.

But I had a sense… this might be the last time I see her. But what a moment we had. So for me, so many great memories. It’s a sad day, but what a day. What a gift that she was.

So girl who I called mum, here is to my girl. We love you mum. Sleep well. Thank you for the memories.”

Throughout her career, she won various Group 1s which included the likes of the Cox Plate (2005) which saw her earn up to $14 million (AUD) in earnings across her career.

Vale Makybe Diva.