After capturing the hearts of racing fans across the country, Melody Belle's illustrious career is about to come to an end.
The 14-time group-one-winner will race for the last time on Saturday, looking to add one more victory to her long list of achievements.
Her absence will certainly be felt among the Kiwi racing community.
"It's kind of sad," Jockey Opie Bosson tells Newshub.
"I just want her [Melody Belle] to go out on a good note, she's been such a wonderful horse to me and my family."
The six-year-old mare has notched up 14 group one wins - the most ever by a New Zealand horse.
"She's been the flag bearer for a very long time, she's basically impossible to replace," Trainer Jamie Richards tells Newshub.
In 2019 she became the first horse to win the elusive Hawkes Bay triple crown, cementing her spot in New Zealand thoroughbred history.
And for jockey Bosson, a win tomorrow will bring up his seventh group one win on the star mare, adding to her legacy, one that won't be forgotten.
"She will probably go down in history as one of the best horses New Zealand's ever produced," Bosson tells Newshub.
"She's one of the best horses I've ever ridden.
"She will be deeply missed by everybody - she was such a darling at the stable," Bosson added.
But for Melody Belle, Saturday is just like any other day, a quick swim and a canter on the beach the perfect preparation for her swansong race, before she goes under the hammer at the Magic Millions National Broodmare Sales later this month.
Watch the full story above.
