Verry Elleegant Set To Begin European Campaign In Prix Rothschild

Thursday, June 30, 2022 | 5:00 am

Updated: June 30, 2022 at 1:24 pm

Verry Elleegant (Zed - Opulence) ridden by James McDonald pose with connections as they return to scale after winning the Heineken 3 Australian Oaks (G1) on The Championships - Day 2 at Royal Randwick. 13/4/2019 © The Image is Everything - Bronwen Healy & Darren Tindale Photography Picture Credit: The Image is Everything - Darren Tindale

Verry Elleegant (NZ) (Zed {NZ}) could make her first European start in August as her new trainer Francis-Henri Graffard revealed he is considering a bid for the G1 Prix Rothschild at Deauville.

A sensation in Australia, Verry Elleegant won 11 Group 1 races–including the Caulfield Cup and Melbourne Cup–under the care of Chris Waller before it was announced in May that she would continue her career in France.

The G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe and the G1 Fillies & Mares Stakes on QIPCO British Champions Day at Ascot were mentioned as possible targets when Verry Elleegant was transferred to Graffard's base.

However, Graffard is keen to take the wraps off Verry Elleegant in the Prix Rothschild before committing to plans beyond Deauville.

He said, “She is well, she might be ready for the Prix Rothschild at Deauville on Aug. 2. That will be her first start and then we will take it from there.”