'She brought so much joy' - Melbourne Cup heroine Verry Elleegant retired

Australia's champion stayer Verry Elleegant has been retired following her run in the Fillies & Mares Stakes on British Champions Day.

The 11-time top-level winner has an illustrious CV including last year’s Melbourne Cup and the 2020 Caulfield Cup.

She spent the vast majority of her career with Chris Waller before joining Francis Graffard this summer for a European campaign tailored around the Arc.

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

Verry Elleegant finished seventh in the Prix de Royallieu on Arc weekend then 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 7f to 2m.

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

Verry Elleegant: easy winner of last year's Melbourne CupCredit: Brett Holburt / Getty

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.”

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