On Monday, news of Verry Elleegant's passing during foaling in France left several prominent Australian owners in mourning.

Having spent approximately 18 months in Europe under the tutelage of Francis-Henri Graffard, Verry Elleegant's career took a turn after four unsuccessful races, leading to her retirement from the track. Her owners opted for Sea The Stars as her first mate, with her expected foaling date set for the initial week of February.

Throughout her illustrious racing career, Verry Elleegant triumphed in 16 races, an impressive 11 of which were at the prestigious group 1 level, accumulating a staggering earnings figure nearing $15 million. Notable victories included the 2020 Caulfield Cup and the 2021 Melbourne Cup, leading to her recognition as the Australasian racehorse of the year for the 2020/21 season.

In 2018, a consortium of Australian owners, including Ozzie Kheir and Brae Sokolski, acquired a 50 per cent stake in the talented mare. Initially trained by Darren Weir during her maiden campaign, Verry Elleegant transitioned to the care of Chris Waller following Weir's disqualification in early 2019.

Image extraction Racing.com