Verry Elleegant

Verry Elleegant (foaled 12 October 2015) is a multiple Group 1 winning New Zealand bred, Australian trained thoroughbred racehorse.

Verry Elleegant
SireZed
GrandsireZabeel
DamOpulence
DamsireDanroad
SexMare
Foaled12 October 2015
CountryNew Zealand
ColourBay
BreederJD Goodwin
OwnerJomara Bloodstock Ltd, Ellee, Balmerino Racing Partnership, M Wanzare, TK Barry, BF Sokolski, A & V Kheir, KM Stocker, Honeycomb Stud, JA O’Neill
TrainerNicholas Bishara (2018)
Darren Weir (2018)
Chris Waller (2019 onwards)
Record20: 8–5–1
EarningsA$ 3,129,654[1]
Major wins
Ethereal Stakes(2018)
Phar Lap Stakes (2019)
Vinery Stud Stakes (2019)
Australian Oaks (2019)
Hill Stakes (2019)
Tancred Stakes (2020)

Background

Verry Elleegant is out of the New Zealand race mare Opulence, which was owned by her initial trainer, Nick Bishara. 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. Both Bishara and Goodwin struck up a friendship and raced Verry Elleegant until she was sold to clients of Australian trainer Darren Weir.[2]

Racing career

2017/18: two-year-old season

Verry Elleegant made her racing debut on the 7 July 2018. She was a fast finishing second at Te Rapa Racecourse in New Zealand.

2018/19: three-year-old season

One month after her debut run, Verry Elleegant won her first race in convincing style at 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”.[3]

After back-to-back wins with a further dominant victory at Matamata Racecourse, 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.[4]

At her Australian debut, Verry Elleegant ran a luckless third placing in the Edward Manifold Stakes. Former trainer and part owner Nick Bishara said after the race, “It's a pity she didn't win, but still it was a top run and it showed she is up to the class over there." Despite the third placing, Verry Elleegant firmed into favouritism for the Group 1 VRC Oaks.[5]

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.[6]

Verry Elleegant finished unplaced in her next two starts, the Wakeful Stakes and 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.[7] She was transferred to the Sydney stables of trainer Chris Waller.

After a 3-month break Verry Elleegant was successful in two Group 1 races in succession, the Vinery Stud Stakes and the 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.”[8]

2019/20: four-year-old season

Verry Elleegant returned to racing on the 24 August 2019 however finished unplaced in the Winx Stakes. She then finished unplaced at her next start behind Avilius in the George Main Stakes. On the 5 October she was a last stride winner in the Hill Stakes.[9] 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."[10]

After a four month break, Verry Elleegant resumed racing on the 15 February 2020 and was a fast finishing fourth behind Alizee in the Apollo Stakes. Two second placings followed in the Chipping Norton Stakes and the Ranvet Stakes before she won her third Group 1 race in the Tancred Stakes.[11]

References

 

  1. "Verry Elleegant Horse Profile". racingaustralia.horse. Retrieved 7 May 2020.
  2. "Verry Elleegant storms home in Phar Lap Stakes". breednet.com.au. Retrieved 3 June 2020.
  3. "Verry Elleegant caps top weekend for Bishara". skyracingworld.com. Retrieved 6 June 2020.
  4. "Verry Elleegant joins leading Victorian Stable". horsebetting.com.au. Retrieved 6 June 2020.
  5. "Kiwi connections verry happy with Oaks prospect". breednet.com.au. Retrieved 6 June 2020.
  6. "New Zealand bred Verry Elleegant sparkles in Ethereal Stakes". thoroughbrednews.com.au. Retrieved 6 June 2020.
  7. "Darren Weir charged over animal cruelty". 7news.com.au. Retrieved 4 July 2020.
  8. "Verry Elleegant wins the Australian Oaks". justhorseracing.com.au. Retrieved 4 July 2020.
  9. "Verry Elleegant back in winners list in Hill Stakes". Retrieved 4 July 2020.
  10. "What the jockeys said after the Cox Plate". nine.com.au. Retrieved 4 July 2020.
  11. "Verry Elleegant thrashes her rivals in G1 Tancred". punters.com.au. Retrieved 4 July 2020.
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