Verry Elleegant well held in Royallieu as connections face decision on whether to press on
Champion mare Verry Elleegant’s European expedition has continued to disappoint after her latest outing at Longchamp, France overnight (AEST).
Verry Elleegant was expected to at least figure in the finish in the €300,000 Qatar Prix de Royallieu (2800m), but was the victim of a dawdling tempo to finish no better than seventh in the 10-horse field.
It was a run reminiscent of her France debut in the G1 Prix Jean Romanet (2000m) at Deauville in August, as Verry Elleegant jumped evenly, overraced at times off the slow sectionals and had little chance from the back of the field.
No fairytale end to her French sojourn for Verry Elleegant 😔
— World Horse Racing (@WHR) October 1, 2022
Sea La Rosa takes the G1 Prix Royallieu in those famous Sea The Stars silks 🇫🇷pic.twitter.com/tWSSS3nUIP
The William Haggas-trained Sea La Rosa saluted under Tom Marquand as the $3.60 favourite after racing on the speed.
The appearance in the Prix de Royallieu came after Verry Elleegant was spectacularly denied a run in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe after her rating was slashed by the French handicapper following two sub-par European runs.
Australian jockey Mark Zahra had the ride on the 2021 Melbourne cup winner after flying to France specifically for the ride.
Speaking post-race, he said the shape of the race was against his horse.
“I think you can be a little bit forgiving of her run,” Zahra explained.
Of the seven-year-old mare he added: “I don’t know how much longer she’s got left, I’m not sure, but I think they want to go to Ascot, I think she’s worth one more start.”
To be forgiving or not…⁉️
— World Horse Racing (@WHR) October 1, 2022
Hear from jockey Mark Zahra and @GraffardRacing following VERRY ELLEEGANT’s G1 run at @paris_longchamp. pic.twitter.com/MzFJelHSaq
Trainer Francis-Henri Graffard suggested the plan would be to go to Ascot, but added connections could retire the star mare.
The £500,000 (A$830,000) G1 British Champions Fillies and Mares Stakes (2406m) at Ascot on October 15 looms as her next assignment if she is to continue racing.
Feature Image: Twitter @leemottershead
It’s not the Arc but it’s wonderful to see Verry Elleegant @paris_longchamp on Arc weekend. pic.twitter.com/jXsr9wYV1D
— Lee Mottershead (@leemottershead) October 1, 2022