Verry Elleegant , winner of the 2021 Melbourne Cup (G1), died from complications related to giving birth to her foal. The news was shared by trainer Chris Waller on X (formerly Twitter) Feb. 18.
Waller wrote, “We all saw the courage she had on the racetrack over many seasons, and she will never be forgotten by those close to her as well as the wider racing public who followed her career and loved her so much.”
A daughter of Zed , Verry Elleegant was 9-years-old and out of the Danroad mare Opulence . She retired at the end of 2022. Verry Elleegant was Australia’s 2020-21 horse of the year.
In addition to the Melbourne Cup, Verry Elleegant also won the 2021 Ravenet Stakes (G1), 2020 Caufield Cup (G1), 2020 Turnbull Stakes (G1), and the 2020 Tancred Stakes (G1) among other group 1 triumphs.
“The news is just filtering through the stable staff now and other close connections who are coming to terms with this tragic news,” Waller said in the release. “She was in fantastic hands on a farm who did all they could for her, and we would like to thank them for their efforts which we will be forever grateful for.”
