Australia: Melbourne Cup winner Verry Elleegant will undergo a European campaign after a surprise announcement that she will join trainer Francis Graffard in France.
As a result, the 11-time G1 winner will leave the Sydney stable of Winx's trainer Chris Waller – and she may yet contest the Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe.
Verry Ellegant's owners said moving her to Europe early “opens up a number of new possibilities, one of which is running in the Arc” – even though her name was not among the 86 Arc entries announced on Wednesday. She could be supplemented for €120,000.
The news was announced by Waller on behalf of the owners, who said they had spent the last two weeks considering Verry Elleegant’s future.
“We know she is a world-class stayer who needs 2400m+ to show her true ability, but we expect her to be weighted out of the Cups and as such there are limited options for her domestically," said their statement.
“After much deliberation we came to the realisation that if we want to campaign her in Europe, we need to do it properly and send her to be trained and prepared in the northern hemisphere.”
They said Verry Elleegant would cut short her break next week and fly to Europe as soon as possible to join Graffard in Chantilly.
“Bringing her to Europe early opens a number of new possibilities, one of which is running in the Arc, however we will just keep an open mind on her program until deeper in her preparation with Francis.”
Graffard said it would be “a huge honour” to take over the training of Verry Elleegant from “a giant” like Waller. “My team and I are looking forward to Verry Elleegant’s arrival, and also the opportunity to welcome her very sporting owners who deserve credit for their willingness to take on this exciting challenge,” the trainer said.
• Visit the Francis Graffard website and the Chris Waller website
Germany’s Arc hero Torquator Tasso set for G2 return later this month
On the road again: record-breaker Mickaelle Michel joins French jockey exodus to US
Classic debut: Rogue Millennium set for £30,000 Oaks supplement for Tom Clover
Breeders’ Cup winner Yibir returns to US for Man o’War‘
View the latest TRC Global Rankings for horses / jockeys / trainers / sires