Retirement for Melbourne Cup hero Verry Elleegant, who "Gave so much Joy"
Verry Elleegant, the champion Australian stayer, was withdrawn after competing in the Fillies & Mares Stakes on British Champions Day. This 11-time winner has an impressive resume that includes the 2019 Melbourne Cup and the 2020 Caulfield Cup. She worked for Chris Waller for the majority of her career before switching to Francis Graffard last summer for a European campaign centred on the Arc. However, she was unable to qualify for the Longchamp championship after losing her first two races in France. After placing seventh in the Prix de Royallieu on Arc weekend and eighth at Ascot, Verry Elleegant retired. Verry Elleegant was a popular mare not only because of her talent but also because of her adaptability; she won Gr1 races on turf, synthetic, and grass, and at distances ranging from 7 furlongs to 2 miles. Her career culminated with a four-length victory over Incentivise in last year's Melbourne Cup.
A statement from the owners read, “Verry Elleegant will rightfully take her place among the pantheon of Australia’s champion racehorses, with a record that compares favourably with any stayer of the modern era. “She demonstrated remarkable durability and consistency at the highest level throughout her career. Her lasting legacy won’t be measured by her prize-money or Group 1 tally but more so by the joy and happiness she brought her legion of fans. Her indomitable will to win inspired us all.”
“There were so many individuals that played a massive role in her success but we would like to particularly thank Chris Waller and his entire team, including track rider Chris Harwood and groom Rocky Mangat, jockey James McDonald and Francis Graffard and his stable. The Verry Elleegant story is far from over and we now look forward to the next chapter in her remarkable story, her life as a mum! The plan is to keep her in the pristine fields of France until she can be served by a leading European stallion in Northern Hemisphere time next year,” the statement elaborated further.
