The Great Verry Elleegant to have Chipping Norton named after her 2024:
Verry Elleegant to have the Chipping Norton named after her 2024:
Verry Elleegant was a prominent Australian Thoroughbred racehorse known for her outstanding performances on the track. Trained by Chris Waller, she has achieved success in various Group 1 races.
Champion mare Verry Elleegant, who also won the Melbourne Cup (2021) and Caulfield Cup (2020), was voted Horse of the Year in 2021-22.
Verry Elleegant was retired after winning 16 races, including 11 at Group 1 level, from 40 starts for total prizemoney of nearly $14.9m, ranking her fourth on the all-time list behind former stablemates Winx ($26.4m) and Nature Strip ($20.7m), and dual The Everest winner Redzel ($16.4m).
The Australian Turf Club has renamed a historic Group 1 race to honour the achievements of one of the most popular champions of the modern era, Verry Elleegant.
The Chipping Norton Stakes, traditionally the first Sydney Group 1 race of the year and boasting prizemoney of $1m, will now be called the Verry Elleegant Stakes.
The weight-for-age race, which will be run on March 2, is held over the famous Royal Randwick mile (1600m) course, and has been won by the “who’s who” of Australian racing since its inception in 1925 including the Chris Waller-trained Verry Elleegant herself in 2021-22.
Other great winners of the race include another of Waller’s mighty mares, Winx who won the race four times in succession from 2016-19, plus the likes of Phar Lap (1930), Bernborough (1946), Tulloch (1958, 1960), Sky High (1962), Super Impose (1991-92), Octagonal (1997), Tie The Knot (1999-2002), Lonhro (2003) and Anamoe (2023).
Chris Waller, Verry Elleegant’s trainer, is a highly successful and respected figure in the Australian horse racing industry. He has trained numerous Group 1 winners, including the legendary above mentioned Winx. Winx, often considered one of the greatest racehorses in history, had a remarkable career with 33 consecutive wins, including four Cox Plates.
Waller, who has trained 10 winners of the race, said Verry Elleegant’s record is deserving of this acknowledgment.
Similarly, Black Caviar, another Australian racing sensation, went undefeated in her 25-race career. She is widely regarded as one of the greatest sprinters globally, earning her the honor of having races named after her like the Black Caviar Lightening Stakes.
The decision to rename historic races after exceptional racehorses is often based on their remarkable achievements, popularity, and the impact they have had on the sport. It serves as a tribute to their contributions and allows their legacy to live on.
Pros of renaming historic races:
Honoring Legends: Renaming races after iconic horses acknowledges their greatness and contributions to the sport.
Preserving Legacies: It ensures that the achievements of these horses are remembered by future generations.
Cons of renaming historic races:
Tradition: Some people may resist change, valuing the historical names of races and the traditions associated with them.
Controversy: Renaming races can be a contentious issue, as opinions on which horses deserve such honors may vary.
Racehorse syndication is a popular way for people to become involved in horse racing. It provides an opportunity for individuals from various walks of life to pool their resources and share the costs associated with owning and racing a horse. This approach makes horse ownership more accessible and allows a broader range of enthusiasts to participate in the excitement of the sport.
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Microphone X Miramare colt
Syndication brings like-minded individuals together, fostering a sense of community and shared passion. It allows people to experience the journey of owning a high-quality racehorse without the financial burden of sole ownership. Chris Waller and other successful trainers often have horses involved in syndicates, providing more people the chance to be part of a potentially successful racing campaign.
In summary, renaming races after exceptional horses like Verry Elleegant is a way to celebrate their achievements, but it can also be met with resistance due to tradition. Racehorse syndication offers an inclusive and affordable way for a diverse group of individuals to participate in the exciting world of horse racing and share the journey of owning a racehorse.
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