Australian Champion Verry Elleegant Retires From Racing

Australia's champion stayer Verry Elleegant  has been retired following her run in the Qipco British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes (G1) Oct. 15 at Ascot.

The 11-time top-level winner has an illustrious set of accomplishments, including taking last year's Lexus Melbourne Cup (G1) and the 2020 Stella Artois Caulfield Cup (G1).

She spent the vast majority of her career with Chris Waller in Australia before joining Francis Graffard this summer for a European campaign tailored around an intended start in the Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (G1). 

Her first two runs in France were without victory, however, leading to her missing the cut for the ParisLongchamp showpiece.

Verry Elleegant finished seventh in the Qatar Prix de Royallieu (G1) on Arc weekend, then was ninth at Ascot on what proved her final start.

It was not just her ability, but her versatility that made Verry Elleegant such a popular mare, with her group 1 wins coming on a variety of surfaces and over distances ranging from seven furlongs to two miles.

Last year's Melbourne Cup, in which she breezed to a four-length win over Incentivise, was the crowning moment of her career.

A daughter of Zed , Verry Elleegant was bred in New Zealand by J. D. Goodwin. She is out of the Danroad  mare Opulence, who is also the dam of multiple group stakes-placed, stakes-winning Verry Flash, a full brother to Verry Elleegant.

The 7-year-old mare retires with 16 victories from 42 trips to the post and earnings of $10,746,371.

A statement from owner Jomara Bloodstock, read: "Verry Elleegant will rightfully take her place among the pantheon of Australia's champion racehorses, with a record that compares favorably 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."