Verry Elleegant will join the lineup for the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (G1) after connections announced on September 19 that they would be adding last year’s Lexus Melbourne Cup (G1) winner to the race.
Owner Jomara Bloodstock said it would pay a £120,000 fee to the 11-time group 1 winner after she finished third at the Qatar Prix Foy (G2) eight days ago.
She is valued at 33-1 to 40-1 with the bookies to land the ParisLongchamp showdown, which takes place on October 2.
After meeting with owner team and trainer Francis-Henri @GraffardRacing we are pleased to announce that we will be paying the entry fee late and giving our champion mares the chance to represent AUS/NZ in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe & the best in the world 🇳🇿🇦🇺🇫🇷
– Verry Elleegant (@VerryElleegant) September 19, 2022
The arc, which is run on the same course and distance as the Prix Foy, will mark Verry Elleegant’s third start since joining Francis Graffard’s pitch this season.
The seven-year-old is yet to score since moving from Australia but has shown improvement this month following a disappointing season debut at the Darley Prix Jean Romanet (G1) in August.
Her entry into the Longchamp 1 pool will mark the first appearance of an Australian or New Zealand runner at the Arc in more than a decade.
So you think was the last horse raised in New Zealand to run in 2011, when it finished 4th after Danedream while Nothin’ Leica Dane was the last athlete of Australian blood in 1997.
Verry Elleegant will join the current four Arc entries for Graffard, including last year’s Thursday Sealway and winner of the Qatar Prix Vermeille (G1) Sweet lady .
The additional deadline for the group 1 competition is September 28.
The news comes just a day after their runner-up Universe, their beauty, passed away at the age of 17.
The New Zealand model twice a year just befriended Verry Elleegant at Grangewilliam Stud. The foal is now paired with a mare.
