The trainer of Australia's greatest racing hero of modern times will ease his way out of the sport over the next few years to indulge his passion for military history.
Peter Moody, the man who has trained Black Caviar to win 22 races from as many starts, will begin an odyssey in May next year by walking the Kokoda Track in New Guinea and then explore the battlefields of Southeast Asia and Europe.
"I'm not a bloodthirsty bastard, but I'm very proud of the Australian war history and it's something I want to do," Moody said.
"It's something I want to bringinto my life over the next three or four years as I get sick of getting out of bed at three o'clock in the morning."
Moody's plan obviously requires some changes to his life that he is prepared to make, including walking away from his position as the country's most successful trainer.
He says he has always plannedto cut back on the level of his involvement in the industry that has made him a household name, but he would like to continue to prepare horses, possibly as a private trainer.
Moody's announcement follows the decision last week to continue the career of Black Caviar, who suffered a variety of injuries on her trip to England earlier this year.
All being well, Black Caviar will resume racing next autumn with the intention of making a farewell tour of the eastern states.
"My dream is for her to come back in the autumn and give her a run in at least Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane in a farewell tour," Moody said.
"It would have been much easier to retire her, but I always wanted to see her finish her racing here at home.
"I'm very mindful that she's 22-from-22 and the important thing now is to protect that record."
Black Caviar is likely to resume in the Lightning Stakes at Flemington in February.
- AAP