Black Caviar to become a mum

"Black Caviar's foal is due any day now (at an undisclosed location)...that will be the star of the season," said Jacqueline Stewart, keeper of the Australian Stud Book.

Black Caviar retired from racing in April last year after being unbeaten in 25 starts, which won her owners almost $8 million.

The champion mare was served by Exceed and Excel, one of the "top stallions in Australia" said Ms Stewart.

Exceed and Excel won six group races and has produced 55 individual stakes winners as a sire.

"He's an outstanding performer in his own right," Ms Stewart said.

The example of Black Caviar and other champion horses was the sort of thing which got more people interested in racing and looking at ownership options for race horses, she said.

"It adds to the excitement for people looking to own a share in a race horse...the opportunities are endless."

Dr Cameron Collins, Hunter Thoroughbred Breeders Association President, was also excited about the upcoming breeding season.

"During the breeding season, the Hunter Valley will be abuzz with constant activity to ensure that about 7,500 mares are covered by the region's 75 Australian and international stallions," he said.

Along with Black Caviar and Exceed and Excel, other sires and broodmares breeding this season included Golden Slipper winning stallion Sebring, and mares Estelle Collection and Faint Perfume, along with many others, Dr Collins said.

"In two years' time the progeny of this intense burst of breeding will appear on racetracks across Australia and the world signalling the beginning of the next cycle of an annual tradition in one of our oldest sports," Dr Collins said.