2021 Melbourne Cup winner Verry Elleegant retired after disappointing European campaign

Australian racing superstar and 2021 Melbourne Cup heroine Verry Elleegant has been retired.

Verry Elleegant, winning last year’s Melbourne Cup, has been retired. Picture: Racing Photos via Getty Images

Verry Elleegant’s extraordinary racing journey from unrideable youngster to Melbourne Cup heroine is over.

After a disappointing European campaign, the ownership group of the 2021 Cup winner and 11-time Group 1 winner has announced that Verry Elleegant has been retired.

Verry Elleegant’s next chapter will be as a Mum and she will call France home and be served by a leading European stallion next year.

Part-owner Brae Sokolski told News Corp that no decision had been made on a potential mating but it was unlikely to be super sire Frankel.

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Verry Elleegant became a Melbourne Cup darling last year, giving James McDonald his first win in the great race.

It capped an amazing rise to fame considering as a young horse in New Zealand, Verry Elleegant left her first trackwork rider with a broken ankle and she would go into a buck every time she was ridden.

Verry Elleegant’s ownership group paid tribute to the remarkable mare:

“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,” they said.

The career of Verry Elleegant has come to an end. Picture: David Caird

“Verry Elleegant’s crowning glory was of course the 2021 Melbourne Cup, where she carried 57kg, winning by 4 lengths in the 5th fastest Cup in history, a performance worthy of a true champion.

“However, 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.

“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 also Francis Graffard and his stable for all their efforts in her European campaign.”

Verry Elleegant was a flop in Europe on the track but her feats in Australia will stand the test of time.

Her next career is as a mum.

“Rest assured 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 ownership group said.

“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.

“We will continue to keep you posted on her progress and wish to thank everyone for their love and support over the years.”

Originally published as 2021 Melbourne Cup winner Verry Elleegant retired after disappointing European campaign