The pair's prize horse Shoot Out was retired at Royal Randwick on the weekend, closing the door on a tremendous 37-start career.

Shoot Out struggled in last Saturday's George Main Stakes, prompting the difficult decision.

The seven-year-old bay gelding, trained by Chris Waller, was initially a $15,000 investment for Linda, who also sits as the Mount Isa Race Club treasurer.

By the end of his career, Shoot Out had returned more than $3 million in prizemoney, ultimately finishing with a win percentage in excess of 27 per cent (10 wins from 37 starts).

``It was a wrench [Shoot Out's retirement],'' Huddy said.

``[He] was a big part of our racing life for five years, but it's time for him to finish up.

``We were unbelievably lucky to have him.

``You don't get horses like him often.''

 The star runner changed the Huddys' lives, both financially and emotionally - an experience the Mount Isa owner wouldn't change for the world.

The son of High Chaparral won five group 1 races over the journey, producing many highlight's for South Australian-born Huddy.

``The Derby win [2010 Australian Derby at Randwick Racecourse] was probably the highlight,'' she remembered fondly.

``Then to see him come back as an older horse and win another three group 1s was pretty special too.'' 

A change of scenery to Waller's Rosehill stables saw Shoot Out return to form following a back issue that had plagued his performance.

Waller's ways allowed Shoot Out to bounce to greater heights, arguably eclipsing his 2010 season with three group 1 triumphs.

``Chris really thinks out of the square and tries lots of different things to get the best out of horses,'' Huddy  said.

``He certainly got the best out of our horse.

``[Shoot Out] was high maintenance and a lot of work for Chris.

``[As an owner] I pretty much left everything up to the trainer.

``Some trainers are happy for you to have more input than others.''

 Although 2010 was Shoot Out's breakout year on the track, it was also the year of a tragedy that left the racing world in shock.

Just days out from the Cox Plate, Shoot Out's regular jockey Stathi Katsidis was found dead in his Brisbane home.

``It was such a tragedy,'' Huddy said.

``Particularly for his family.

``Who knows the pressure he was under, but it was certainly a big loss to the racing community.

``He was a really talented jockey.'' 

The news broke shortly after the Cox Plate barrier draw.

Despite being devastated and still mourning the loss of the 31-year-old, the show went on, with Corey Brown taking the reigns at Moonee Valley to run fourth.

Later in the same year,  Shoot Out qualified for the nation's most prestigious race and ran 13th.

Although the Melbourne Cup is top of most owners' lists of desirable achievements, it wasn't an ambition that spurred Huddy.

``It's never been a huge dream of mine to win it [the Melbourne Cup],'' she said.

``I like having a good horse that's competitive.

``I was lucky enough to get one  out of 24 [Shoot Out] that's suitable to run in the Cup.''

This year Huddy's two most likely Melbourne Cup chances  come in the form of overseas imports Bayrir and Kesampour.

Kesampour, part of the Peter Moody stable, the trainer behind Black Caviar's fame, is a four-year-old gelding with just nine career starts to his name.

The Huddys purchased Kesampour following the group 1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp last year.

Kesampour has notched two group 1 wins in his short career and showed promise just last weekend at Caulfield, finishing second of 16 over 2000m.

The second nomination is international group 1 winner Bayrir.

The Huddys purchased the French native last December, following the horse's stint with Americain (2010 Melbourne Cup winner) trainer Alain de Royer-Dupre.

The five-year-old bay horse has victories ranging from 1800m to 2100m, however a starting berth on the first Tuesday of November at Flemington appears unlikely.

They also have Italian-bred Sneak A Peek, also trained by Moody, nominated for the Caulfield and Melbourne cups.

Now that the illustrious Shoot Out era, which included a Chipping Norton Stakes title defence, is over, Huddy is focused on nurturing her other assets to a similar winning status.

``I've got a dozen at the moment spread amongst the three states [Queensland, Victoria and New South Wales],'' she said.

``Best Shot has just turned three so hopefully he can continue family tradition.

``Now that Shoot Out is gone we've got a close relationship to him, with just the one start.'' Best Shot was purchased early last year in the New Zealand Bloodstock Premier Yearling Sale by the Huddy's for $300,000.

He has since made one appearance on the track, debuting in July at Caulfield over 1200m, finishing sixth of 14.

Closer to Mount Isa, a place that has seemingly become a stopover point for the busy owner, Huddy believes country racing is thriving.

Personally she enjoys the laid-back nature of bush races and has nothing but praise for the commitment shown by the North West's trainers.

``I think the people get a lot closer to it as an owner and trainer,'' she said.

``Trainers in country [racing] are a lot more hands on, doing manual work to reap the rewards.

``For most of them [trainers] it's not a full-time job.

``It takes a lot out of their day plus their working on top of that.

``They richly deserve each piece of success that comes there way.'' 

Huddy has interests in several Denise Ballard-trained assets including: Abdicated, Stellar Show, Chemin De Marc, Marina Sands, Eastline, Helluva Hurry, Snakehips, Tycoon Cat, Commanche Warrior, Crystal Tiger and Eskervinth.

Abdicated and Stellar Show will be the leading hopes as they contest the Spring Cup at Buchanan Park tomorrow.

Chemin De Marc will race in the Weight-for-Age sprint.