Chris Waller has vowed to do what he can to help Verry Elleegant make the transition to European racing after it was announced the champion mare will be transferred to a French trainer to continue her racing career.
Verry Elleegant’s ownership group dropped a bombshell on Thursday with an announcement that the Australia’s reigning Horse of the Year will be sent to Chantilly-based Francis-Henri Graffard and potentially be aimed at the prestigious Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp in October.
Waller, who has trained Verry Elleegant to win 11 Group 1 races including the Melbourne Cup, Caulfield Cup, Tancred Stakes and ATC Australian Oaks, said he was not disappointed with the owners’ decision to send the champion overseas.
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“I respect the owners wishes and they have always been keen to take Verry Elleegant overseas,’’ Waller told News Corp.
“It was getting harder for her here in Australia (suitable staying races) and the owners had to make the call.
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“I gave them a plan to take the mare over later in the year but they all agreed it was best to go over early and have a fair crack at it.
“I’m not disappointed with the decision, the owners have my full support.
“The decision has been made now and to get the best possible outcome for Verry Elleegant I will do whatever I can to help with the transition.’’
Verry Elleegant’s ownership group, which includes Brae Sokolski and Ozzie Kehir, issued a statement confirming plans to send the rising seven-year-old mare to France to continue her race career.
“We know she is a world class stayer who needs 2400m and further to show her true ability but we expect her to be weighted out of the (Caulfield and Melbourne) Cups so there is limited opportunities for her domestically,’’ the statement read.
“After much deliberation we came to the realisation 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.
“As such we wish to advise that Verry Elleegant will be transferred to the care of leading French trainer Francis-Henri Graffard and trained out of the world class facilities at Chantilly.’’
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The statement read that Verry Elleegant will finish her spell next week and subject to flight availability will be sent to Europe as soon as possible.
“Bringing her to Europe early opens up a number of new possibilities, one of which is running in the Arc (Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe), however we will keep an open mind on her program until deeper into her preparation with Francis.’’
Graffard issued a statement on Thursday night (Australian time) saying it was a “huge honour” to be entrusted with Verry Elleegant.
“I am conscious that I will be standing on the shoulders of a giant in taking her on from Chris Waller who has done such an impeccable job with her,” he said.
“Horse racing brings people from all over the world together and it takes horses like Verry Elleegant and her connections to showcase the very best in our sport.”
The owners thanked Waller and his team including jockey James McDonald for their role in developing their champion mare into the nation’s best racehorse.
Verry Elleegant has won 16 of her 38 races, 11 at Group 1 level for career earnings of more than $14.8m prizemoney.