Verry Elleegant retired after European slog
The 2021 Melbourne Cup winner, Verry Elleegant, has been retired following a less than ideal preparation in Europe.
The ownership group of the champion mare announced on Thursday afternoon (AEDT) that the 11-time Group 1 winner is now headed to the breeding barn.
A media release stated: “The plan is to keep her in the pristine fields of France until she can be served by a leading European stallion in the Northern Hemisphere next year.”
Throughout her career, Verry Elleegant managed the remarkable feat of winning Group 1s at 1400m through to the 3200m triumph she experienced in last year’s Melbourne Cup.
Having claimed almost $15 million in prizemoney, the Kiwi-bred mare sits fourth all-time on the leading prizemoney table behind the likes of Winx and Nature Strip.
“Verry Elleegant’s lasting legacy won’t be measured by her prizemoney or Group 1 tally but more so by the joy and happiness she bought her legion of fans and her indomitable will to win that inspired us all,” the owners said.
“Along the journey there were so many individuals that played a massive role in her success, but we would like to particularly thank the Chris Waller and his entire team including track rider Chris Harwood and strapper Rocky Mangat, jockey James McDonald and Francis Graffard and his stable for all their efforts in her European campaign.”
Earlier this year, a majority of the ownership group decided to campaign Verry Elleegant in Europe in a bid to build on her already impressive resume.
Francis-Henri Graffard took over as trainer from Chris Waller, but he was unable to get the very best out of the horse.