The curtain has closed on the racing career of star mare Verry Ellegant with her owners announcing the retirement of the prolific Group 1 winner.
Connections of the 2021 Melbourne Cup heroine confirmed their decision on Thursday following the seven-year-old’s unsuccessful four-start European stint.
She will remain in France to be served by a European stallion to northern hemisphere time.
“Rest assured though, 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!” her owners said in a media release.
“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.”
Verry Ellegant has been a darling of Australian racing for the past few seasons.
Starting her career in New Zealand, she eventually found her way to Chris Waller and posted her first Group 1 win for the trainer in the 2019 Vinery Stud Stakes.
The daughter of Zed went on to win 11 Group 1 races and in a sign of her versatility, she won them over distances ranging from 1400m to 3200m, highlighted by the 2019 ATC Australian Oaks, the 2020 Caulfield Cup and last year’s Melbourne Cup.
All up she raced 40 times for 16 wins and 12 placings, amassing prizemoney of more than $14.88 million.
