The 2020 Caulfield Cup and 2021 Melbourne Cup winner Verry Elleegant is set to challenge in Europe this season after the mare was transferred from Australian trainer Chris Waller to Francis-Henri Graffard, who is based in Chantilly in Northern France.
The six-year-old has been victorious 11 times at the top level in the southern hemisphere, and the mare’s connections are now eyeing success in Europe. Insiders believe a run in autumn’s Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, the showpiece event for thoroughbreds aged three years or older at Longchamp Racecourse in Paris.
Another race thought to be high on the priorities list is the Fillies & Mares Stakes on Qipco British Champions Day at Ascot. In last year’s race, Eshaada beats Albaflora by a short head in a thrilling renewal of the Group 1 QIPCO British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes.
The horse’s owners, who include the founding partner and Chief Investment Officer of MaxCap Group Brae Sokolski and the “Melburnian with the Midas touch” Ozzie Kheir, said that in order for Verry Elleegant to challenge in Europe, she needs to be based there.
The owners released a statement regarding the move; it reads: “We know she is a world class stayer who needs 2400m+ to show her true ability, but we expect her be weighted out of the Cups and as such there are limited options for her domestically.
“After much deliberation we came to the realisation that if we want to campaign her in Europe, we need to do it properly and send her to be trained and prepared in the northern hemisphere.
“As such we wish to advise that Verry Elleegant will be transferred to the care of leading French trainer Francis-Henri Graffard and trained out of the world class facilities at Chantilly.
“Although transportation arrangements are still being finalised, she will finish her spell next week and subject to flight availability will fly out anytime from that point forward.
“Bringing her to Europe early opens up a number of new possibilities, one of which is running in the Arc, however we will just keep an open mind on her program until deeper in her preparation with Francis.”
The statement then continues to thank the previous training team, including Chris Waller and also regular rider James McDonald who was seated on the horse when she took Australia’s most prestigious race by four lengths in November.
“We would like to take this opportunity to express our enormous gratitude to Chris Waller and his team for the outstanding job they have done with Verry Elleegant.
“Chris is one of the world’s greatest trainers and must take a huge amount of credit in allowing her to fulfil her potential and bringing her up to her peak, preparation after preparation,” the statement added.
“We would also like to give particular kudos to her strapper, Rocky Mangat and track rider, Chris Harwood and of course James McDonald who won a staggering nine Group Ones aboard her including her crowning achievement in the 2021 Melbourne Cup.
