Verry Elleegant

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
Verry Elleegant
George Main Stakes (2021)
Melbourne Cup (2021)
Awards
Australian Racehorse of the Year (2020/21)
Australian Champion Stayer (2020/21), (2021/22)
Australian Champion Middle Distance Racehorse (2020/21)

Verry Elleegant (12 October 2015 – 18 February 2024) was a New Zealand-bred Australian-trained Thoroughbred racehorse that won 11 Group One races. She was crowned the 2020/2021 Australian Racehorse of the Year, and was the winner of the 2021 Melbourne Cup and 2020 Caulfield Cup.

Background

Verry Elleegant was out of the New Zealand race mare Opulence, which was owned by her initial trainer, Nick Bishara.[2] After Opulence won two races she was sold at the 2011 Mixed Sale at Karaka to Don Goodwin, who is the owner of Very Elleegant's sire, Zed. The horse was named after Goodwin's granddaughter Ellee. Previously, he had named her brother "Verry Flash", adopting the "verry" spelling to be distinctive.[3] Both Bishara and Goodwin struck up a friendship and raced Verry Elleegant until she was sold to clients of Australian trainer Darren Weir.[4]

Racing career

2017/18: two-year-old season

Verry Elleegant made her racing debut on 7 July 2018. She finished second at Te Rapa Racecourse in New Zealand, ridden by Rowena Smyth in the Majestic Horse Floats Plate.[5]

2018/19: three-year-old season

One month after her debut run, Verry Elleegant won her first race, a maiden,

Ruakaka when ridden by Rowena Smyth. After producing a last to first victory, Smyth said after the race, "That was awesome the way she picked them up and flew past them. She just took off. Once she gets over a trip when she is older she is going to be a lovely filly."[7]

After back-to-back wins with a further dominant victory at Matamata Racecourse in a benchmark 65 race,[8] Verry Elleegant was sold and transferred to Australian trainer, Darren Weir, with the intention of the horse participating in the forthcoming Spring Racing Carnival. Darren Weir's Australian clients purchased a fifty per cent share of the horse, with Jomara Bloodstock and the original ownership group retaining a 25 per cent share.[9]

At her Australian debut, Verry Elleegant ran a luckless third placing in the

VRC Oaks.[10]

In what is considered a lead up to the Oaks, Verry Elleegant ran in the Ethereal Stakes. She raced fiercely in the early stages of the 2000-metre race, but rider John Allen settled her into a midfield position. Allen angled her out into clear space in the straight, and she stretched out to win by half a length.[11]

Verry Elleegant finished unplaced in her next two starts, the

VRC Oaks. Following these runs she was removed from the stables of trainer Darren Weir, due to Police charging him with animal cruelty offences and conspiracy to defraud.[12] She was transferred to the Sydney stables of trainer Chris Waller
.

After a 3-month break Verry Elleegant was successful in two

Australian Oaks. After her win in the Oaks trainer Waller said, "That was a brilliant win. She's a very exceptional filly and I think the best is yet to come."[13]

2019/20: four-year-old season

Verry Elleegant returned to racing on 24 August 2019 however finished unplaced in the

George Main Stakes. On 5 October she was a last stride winner in the Hill Stakes.[14]
She then contested the 2019
Cox Plate at the odds of 20/1, however was beaten some 10 lengths by Japanese horse Lys Gracieux. Jockey James McDonald said after the race, "It's probably a year too soon for her. She just doesn't execute well enough for a Cox Plate."[15]

After a four month break, Verry Elleegant resumed racing on 15 February 2020 and was a fast finishing fourth behind

Tancred Stakes.[16]

2020/21: five-year-old season

On 22 August 2020, Verry Elleegant returned to racing after a four month break in the Winx Stakes at Randwick. Starting the fourth favourite at odds of $7.50, she sat wide throughout the run and after hitting the front in the straight she was then clearly headed by stablemate Star Of The Seas. However under vigorous riding from jockey James McDonald, Verry Elleegant fought back to win the race by a narrow margin and captured her fourth Group 1 race.[17]

On 19 September 2020, Verry Elleegant started the $2.20 favourite in the

George Main Stakes at Randwick. She got back in the small field of only seven runners before jockey James McDonald went for a tight run in the straight, however he was forced back onto the fence by the Godolphin raced Oaks winner Colette. Eventually Verry Elleegant finished unplaced in fourth position but only beaten by just over a length margin by stable mate Kolding.[18]

On 3 October 2020, Verry Elleegant had her next race in the Turnbull Stakes at Flemington. Starting as the $5 favourite she won the race in a close finish with only one length separating the first six placings. This proved to be her fifth victory at Group 1 level. Trainer Chris Waller who trained the first three runners past the post said after the race, "She's (Verry Elleegant) tough, she's back on track and looking forward to the Caulfield Cup".[19]

On October 17, Verry Elleegant started the $5 favourite in the Caulfield Cup. Ridden by Mark Zahra, she settled in the second half of the field throughout, before making her move 600 metres from the finish line. After hitting the front in the home straight, she went head-to-head with Irish horse Anthony Van Dyck who drew level with her, however Verry Elleegant produced a late effort to win by a margin of a short neck.[20]

On November 3, Verry Elleegant attempted to achieve the historic Caulfield Cup/Melbourne Cup double, but she finished seventh in the 2020 Melbourne Cup to Twilight Payment. She started from barrier 15 and carried 55.5 kg and was beaten just under 4 lengths.

On 13 February 2021 Verry Elleegant resumed racing in the Apollo Stakes at Randwick over 1,400 metres. Starting the $2.50 favourite she finished in third placing, beaten just over 2 lengths by the Godolphin mare Colette.

On 27 February she was successful in her seventh Group 1 race when defeating the Godolphin horses Colette and Avilius in the Chipping Norton Stakes.[21]

On 27 February she defeated Addeybb in the Ranvet Stakes. Trainer Chris Waller described her after the race as being, "world-class".[22]

2021/22: six-year-old season

Verry Elleegant returned to racing after a 3+1⁄2-month spell on 21 August 2021 in the Winx Stakes at Randwick. She started favourite at $4.20, but finished second by a quarter of a length to Mo'unga.

On 18 September she ran in the Group 1

George Main Stakes
at Randwick. She started odds on favourite at $1.75 and won by a three-quarter length over Riodini.

On 2 October, she returned to defend her Turnbull Stakes victory the year prior at Flemington. She started as favourite at $2.10, ahead of Incentivise at $2.70. She jumped well, settling two out from the rail in fourth. She maintained this position until 500 m to go, where she drew alongside the leaders four from the rail. She held here before being dropped at the 150 m, eventually finishing 4th behind Incentivise, Young Werther and Chapada, three and a half lengths shy of the winner.

Verry Elleegant was placed third in the

Cox Plate behind State Of Rest and Anamoe
.

On 2 November she won the 2021 Melbourne Cup, ridden by James McDonald, ahead of Incentivise and Spanish Mission. It was the first Melbourne Cup victory for both trainer Chris Waller and jockey James McDonald.[23]

2022/23: seven-year-old season

In May 2022, Verry Elleegant was transferred to the Chantilly, France stable of Francis-Henri Graffard to build up for an attempt at the prestigious Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp Racecourse in October 2022 but was excluded from the race due to various conditions.[24]

After a disappointing campaign in France and at Ascot, Verry Elleegant was retired.[25]

Death

Verry Elleegant died due to complications whilst in foal on 18 February 2024, at the age of 8. Her foal also died.[26]

Racing summary

The following are some of Verry Elleegant's races.

Date Age Race Class Distance Track Field Finish Winning Time Going Odds[a] Margin Jockey
7 Jul 2018 [27] 2 Majestic Horse Floats Plate Open 1200m Te Rapa 7 2 1:13.28 Slow 27.30 (2.8 lengths) Rowena Smyth
12 Aug 2018 [28] 3 Nzb Insurance Pearl Series Mdn Maiden 1400m Ruakaka 12 1 1:25.98 Dead 3.20 2.5 lengths R Smyth
12 Sep 2018 [29] 3 Nzb Insurance Pearl Series (Bm65) BM65 1400m Matamata 8 1 1:25.73 Slow 2.00 2.3 lengths R Smyth
6 Oct 2018 3 Edward Manifold Stakes G2 1600m Flemington 13 3 1:37.48 Good 4.25 (2.6 lengths) John Allen
20 Oct 2018 3 Ethereal Stakes G3 2000m Caulfield 16 1 2:05.56 Soft 2.38 0.5 lengths J Allen
3 Nov 2018 3 Wakeful Stakes G2 2000m Flemington 11 5 2:01.36 Good 2.38 (3.7 lengths) J Allen
8 Nov 2018 3
VRC Oaks
 G1 2500m Flemington 15 7 2:40.54 Good 5.00 (6.1 lengths) J Allen
16 Feb 2019 3 The Vanity G3 1400m Flemington 10 2 1:22.14 Good 7.00 (1 length) James McDonald
16 Mar 2019 3 Phar Lap Stakes G2 1500m Rosehill 9 1 1:32.32 Heavy 2.25 3.5 lengths J McDonald
30 Mar 2019 3 Vinery Stud Stakes G1 2000m Rosehill 11 1 2:08.99 Heavy 2.11 1.8 lengths J McDonald
13 Apr 2019 3 Australian Oaks G1 2400m Randwick 14 1 2:31.26 Good 2.00 1.8 lengths J McDonald
24 Aug 2019 4 Winx Stakes G1 1400m Randwick 10 9 1:21.05 Good 5.00 (3.8 lengths) J McDonald
5 October 2019 4 Hill Stakes G2 2000m Randwick 8 1 2:05.3 Soft J McDonald
29 February 2020 4 Chipping Norton Stakes G1 1600m Randwick 13 2 1:33.87 Good J McDonald
21 March 2020 4 Ranvet Stakes G1 2000m Rosehill 7 2 2:04.90 Soft J McDonald
28 March 2020 4
Tancred Stakes
 G1 2400m Rosehill 9 1 2:31.25 Soft J McDonald
11 April 2020 4 Queen Elizabeth Stakes (ATC) G1 2000m Randwick 12 2 2:06.92 Heavy Nash Rawiller
22 August 2020 5 Winx Stakes G1 1400m Randwick 16 1 1:23.26 Soft J McDonald
3 October 2020 5 Turnbull Stakes G1 2000m Flemington 15 1 2:01.84 Good Mark Zahra
17 October 2020 5 Caulfield Cup G1 2400 m Caulfield 18 1 2:31.97 Soft M Zahra
3 November 2020 5 Melbourne Cup G1 3200m Flemington 23 7 3:17.34 Good M Zahra
13 February 2021 5 Apollo Stakes G2 1400m Randwick 8 3 1:24.50 Soft J McDonald
27 March 2021 6 Ranvet Stakes G1 2000m Rosehill 9 1 2:03.99 Soft J McDonald
18 September 2021 6
George Main Stakes
 G1 1600m Randwick 9 1 1:36.07 Soft J McDonald
23 October 2021 6
Cox Plate
 G1 2040m The Valley 8 3 2:06.97 Soft Damian Lane
2 November 2021 6 Melbourne Cup G1 3200m Flemington 23 1 3:17.43 Good J McDonald
26 February 2022 6 Chipping Norton Stakes G1 1600m Randwick 10 1 1:39.64 Heavy J McDonald
19 March 2022 6 Ranvet Stakes G1 2000 m Rosehill 6 2 2:07.54 Heavy J McDonald
9 April 2022 6 Queen Elizabeth Stakes (ATC) G1 2000m Randwick 9 5 2:10.87 Heavy J McDonald
21 August 2022 7 Prix Jean Romanet G1 2000m Deauville 7 7 2:09.03 Good Frankie Dettori
11 September 2022 7 Prix Foy G2 2400m Longchamp 6 3 2:36.46 Soft Christophe Soumillon
1 October 2022 7 Prix de Royallieu G1 2800m Longchamp 10 7 3:13.76 Soft M Zahra
15 October 2022 7 British Champions Fillies and Mares Stakes G1 2406m Ascot Racecourse 14 9 2:33.76 Soft Mickael Barzalona

Source: Racingandsports, Racing.com profiles[30][31]

Pedigree

Pedigree of Verry Elleegant (NZ) 2015[32]
Sire
Zed (NZ)
2002 		Zabeel (NZ)
1986 		Sir Tristram Sir Ivor
Isolt
Lady Giselle Nureyev
Valderna
Emerald Dream (AUS)
1996 		Danehill Danzig
Razyana
Theme Song Sackford
Cotehele House
Dam
Opulence (NZ)
2005 		Danroad (AUS)
1999 		Danehill Danzig
Razyana
Strawberry Girl Strawberry Road
Pay the Piper
Mulan Magic (AUS)
1999 		King's Theatre Sadler's Wells
Regal Beauty
Chalet Girl Imposing
Cotehele House (Family: 9-c)
  • Verry Elleegant was inbred 3 × 3 to Danehill, meaning that this stallion appears twice in the third generation of her pedigree. She was also inbred 4 × 4 to the mare Cotehele House.

Notes

  1. ^ In Australian charts, the odds show the total amount payable for each dollar wagered on a winning bet. For example, a bet of $10 at odds of 2.0 in Australia would pay $20.00. In North America and Europe, the odds reflect that a winning bet will return the original stake as well. For example, a bet of $10 at odds of 2-1 in the United States would pay $30.00. In the United States, a bet that pays a total of $20 for a $10 bet would have odds of 1-1 (even money)

References

  1. ^ "Verry Elleegant Horse Profile". racenet.com.au. Archived from the original on 15 June 2020. Retrieved 7 May 2020.
  2. ^ "Broodmare gem passes away | NZ Racing News".
  3. ^ Ray Thomas, Verry Elleegant confirms her place among racing’s greats with an emphatic Melbourne Cup victory Archived 2021-11-05 at the Wayback Machine, news.com.au, 2 November 2021
  4. ^ "Verry Elleegant storms home in Phar Lap Stakes". breednet.com.au. Retrieved 3 June 2020.
  5. ^ "Te Rapa Results (Race 2)". www.racingandsports.com. Archived from the original on 2021-11-04. Retrieved 2021-11-04.
  6. ^ "Ruakaka Results (Race 3)". www.racingandsports.com. Retrieved 2021-11-04.
  7. ^ "Verry Elleegant caps top weekend for Bishara". skyracingworld.com. Archived from the original on 4 July 2020. Retrieved 6 June 2020.
  8. ^ "Matamata Results (Race 4)". www.racingandsports.com. Retrieved 2021-11-04.
  9. ^ "Verry Elleegant joins leading Victorian Stable". horsebetting.com.au. Archived from the original on 3 July 2020. Retrieved 6 June 2020.
  10. ^ "Kiwi connections verry happy with Oaks prospect". breednet.com.au. Retrieved 6 June 2020.
  11. ^ "New Zealand bred Verry Elleegant sparkles in Ethereal Stakes". thoroughbrednews.com.au. Archived from the original on 4 July 2020. Retrieved 6 June 2020.
  12. ^ "Darren Weir charged over animal cruelty". 7news.com.au. Archived from the original on 3 July 2020. Retrieved 4 July 2020.
  13. ^ "Verry Elleegant wins the Australian Oaks". justhorseracing.com.au. Archived from the original on 3 July 2020. Retrieved 4 July 2020.
  14. ^ "Verry Elleegant back in winners list in Hill Stakes". Retrieved 4 July 2020.
  15. ^ "What the jockeys said after the Cox Plate". nine.com.au. Retrieved 4 July 2020.
  16. ^ "Verry Elleegant thrashes her rivals in G1 Tancred". punters.com.au. Archived from the original on 4 July 2020. Retrieved 4 July 2020.
  17. ^ "Verry Elleegant wins Winx Stakes in Waller quinella". punters.com.au. Archived from the original on 22 September 2020. Retrieved 22 August 2020.
  18. ^ "George Main Stakes winner Kolding beats home three stablemates". races.com.au. Retrieved 3 October 2020.
  19. ^ "Turnbull Stakes Verry Elleegant leads home Chris Waller clean sweep". racenet.com.au. Archived from the original on 3 October 2020. Retrieved 3 October 2020.
  20. ^ "Verry Elleegant narrowly wins Caulfield Cup". thenewdaily.com.au. 17 October 2020. Archived from the original on 26 October 2020. Retrieved 18 October 2020.
  21. ^ "Verry Elleegant wins Chipping Norton Stakes and snares seventh Group 1 win". Racenet.com.ah. Archived from the original on 1 March 2021. Retrieved 6 March 2021.
  22. ^ "Verry Elleegant wins clash of the titans". Justhorseracing.com.au. Retrieved 29 March 2021.
  23. ^ "Horse racing: NZ horse Verry Elleegant, Kiwi jockey James McDonald win Melbourne Cup". Newshub. Retrieved 7 January 2022.
  24. ^ "Melbourne Cup winner sent to Europe in shock $15m split from champion trainer". 13 May 2022.
  25. ^ "Reigning Melbourne Cup winner Verry Elleegant retired after rise from unrideable to champion". 20 October 2022.
  26. ^ Eddy, Andrew (19 February 2024). "Vale Verry Elleegant". Racing.com. Retrieved 19 February 2024.
  27. ^ "Race 2 MAJESTIC HORSE FLOATS 1200 at WAIKATO RC on 7 JUL 2018 | LOVERACING.NZ".
  28. ^ "Race 3 NZB INSURANCE PEARL SERIES RACE at WHANGAREI RC on 12 AUG 2018 | LOVERACING.NZ".
  29. ^ "Race 4 NZB INSURANCE PEARL SERIES RACE at MATAMATA RC on 12 SEP 2018 | LOVERACING.NZ".
  30. ^ "Verry Elleegant Thoroughbred Horse Profile - Next Race, Form, Stats, News, Breeding". www.racingandsports.com. Archived from the original on 2021-01-26. Retrieved 2021-11-06.
  31. ^ RACING.COM. "Verry Elleegant (NZ) - Race Horse Profile RACING.COM". RACING.COM. Archived from the original on 2021-02-25. Retrieved 2021-11-06.
  32. ^ "Verry Elleegant pedigree". JBIS. Archived from the original on 2021-11-02.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Verry_Elleegant&oldid=1211679582"