Verry Elleegant was a top racing mare. Bred in New Zealand and trained by Kiwi Chris Waller, she won 11 Group 1 races during a stellar career which was highlighted by her 2021 Melbourne Cup win.
The 2020/2021 Racehorse of the Year in Australia, Verry Elleegant won the hearts of many. We take a closer look at her and her Flemington performances.
About Verry Elleegant
JD Goodwin bred Verry Elleegant in New Zealand. She was foaled on October 12th, 2015.
Trained for the most part of her fantastic career by Chris Waller, she raced 36 times, winning 16 races in all. She amassed some $14.6 million in prize money along the way.
During her amazing track career, Verry Elleegant won two Chipping Norton Stakes. Testament to her versatility, Chris Waller changed her profile often meaning she didn’t get any other major repeat victories.
She won one version each of the Ethereal Stakes, Phar Lap Stakes, Vinery Stud Stakes, Australian Oaks, Hill Stakes, Tancred Stakes, Winx Stakes, Turnbull Stakes, Caulfield Cup, Ranvet Stakes, George Main Stakes and of course, the Melbourne Cup.
To cap things off fittingly, Verry Elleegant wa named Racehorse of the year in Australia for 2020/21, Australian Champion Stayer for 20/21 and 21/22 and also Australian Champion Middle Distance Horse in 2020/21.
Verry Elleegant’s Melbourne Cup Performances
Verry Ellegant actually ran in two Melbourne Cups; 2020 and 2021. She’d already had some fantastic Group 1 battles, especially against England’s Addeybb, and looking back it seems everything was hardening her up for her date with destiny.
2020 Melbourne Cup
Having twice finished second to Addeybb in the autumn, she was ready for a big start to the new season. She won the Winx Stakes in August, before taking the Caulfield Cup in October. A major double was on the cards and she went off an $8 shot.
In the end, it wasn’t to be. She ran a more than credible seventh behind Twilight Payment, around four lengths off the leader at the end. We always knew she’d be back.
2021 Melbourne Cup
Verry Elleegant’s battles continued. This time around, she beat Addeybb once before just losing out again. She was also beaten in the Winx Stakes this time, but did recover to land the George Main.
In a busy campaign, she was a beaten favourite in the Turnbull and in the Cox Plate. Although running well the whole time, her price of $18 in the Melbourne Cup looked fair enough at the time.
In the race itself, she was settled in midfield by James McDonald. It became clear she was going very well, McDonald pushing her into contention a few hundred metres from home.
In the end, Verry Elleegant swept by to win the 2021 Melbourne Cup by a hugely impressive four lengths. Favourite Incentivise was back in second place.
