The owners of Black Caviar have announced she is pregnant as thousands of people gathered in the Victorian town of Nagambie for the unveiling of a full-size bronze statue of the champion mare. (photo: Swettenham Stud)

Retired champion racemare Black Caviar is expecting her first foal.

Rated one of the best racehorses in the world before her retirement, Black Caviar is in foal to the champion sire Exceed And Excel.

News of the famed racehorse's pregnancy has been confirmed by Racing Victoria.

The governing body said Black Caviar's breeder Rick Jamieson made the announcement during the unveiling of a statue of the unbeaten sprinter in Nagambie in rural Victoria on Thursday.

Black Caviar was retired from racing soon after winning her second T J Smith Stakes at Randwick in April.

She earned almost $8 million from her 25 wins and despite only racing three times last season, she was last month crowned Australian Horse Of The Year for 2012-2013.

Source: Bloodstock.com.au