The broodmare who gave Australian racing Makybe Diva has died.

Raised in Kentucky but imported to Australia from the United Kingdom, Tugela died on Friday morning, leaving behind her 11th foal, a chestnut filly by All Too Hard.

"Rest in peace our beautiful mare," MAKYBE Racing and Breeding posted on Twitter.

"You will be missed and in our hearts forever. Thank you for the lifetime memories. Love team MAKYBE. Xxx."

Tugela was purchased by bloodstock agent John Foote acting for South Australian tuna fisherman Tony Santic at the 1998 Tattersall's Sale in Newmarket, England.

Foote paid 60,000 guineas for Tugela who was carrying a foal by Desert King destined to become a legend of the Australian turf.

With her first foal by her side, Tugela was imported to Australia in 2000.

Makybe Diva made her racetrack debut in July 2002 and by the time her career finished in 2005 she had won a record-breaking three Melbourne Cups and earned more than $14.5 million, making her Australia's greatest stakes winner.

Tugela has also left another three black-type winners and her influence on the Melbourne Cup remains strong in the countdown to next month's race.

Her daughter La Amistad, a three-quarter sister to Makybe Diva, is still in the running for a start in the $6.2 million race.