Verry Elleegant Best Mare in World for 2021

Media Release - Wednesday January 26

Verry Elleegant has been rated the world’s best racemare according to the Longines World’s Best Racehorse Rankings (WBRR) released by the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA) on Tuesday.

Verry Elleegant wins the Melbourne Cup - image Grant Courtney.

The New Zealand-bred mare was given a rating of 123 for her win in the Gr.1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) at Flemington in November, putting her 15th equal in the WBRR, and the highest-rated female equine athlete in the world.

Trainer Chris Waller was over the moon upon hearing the news.

Advertisement

"Proud is an understatement! To train the world's highest-rated mare for 2021 Verry Elleegant…is an absolute honour,” Waller tweeted.

Racing Victoria Executive General Manager - Racing, Greg Carpenter, is part of the worldwide panel that assesses the rankings and he said Verry Elleegant's run in the Melbourne Cup was something special.

"Her performance in winning the Melbourne Cup was no doubt the best winning performance in that race since Makybe Diva won it in 2005," Carpenter told Racing.com.

"She carried 57kg. She beat Incentivise and Spanish Mission at level weights by a big margin.”

The daughter of Zed has won 10 Group One races and more than A$14 million in prizemoney.

New Zealand-sourced Golden Sixty also featured prominently in the rankings.

He has soared to an international rating of 125 in the year end list and is now the world’s joint highest rated miler.

Through the 2020/21 racing season, Golden Sixty won all seven of his starts as part of his famed 16-race unbeaten streak, including four Group Ones, two Group Twos and one Group Three – ranging from 1400m to 2000m.

Golden Sixty shares equal sixth spot in the LONGINES World’s Best Racehorse Rankings with Baaeed, Palace Pier and Gr.1 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (2400m) champion Torquator Tasso.

Golden Sixty was purchased by his trainer Francis Lui out of Riversley Park’s 2017 New Zealand Bloodstock Ready to Run Sale draft for $300,000. – NZ Racing Desk

 

Advertisment
More Reading...
Sires With Winners - Thursday November 21
Here is the full list of 32 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Arkansaw Kid Brother Sells for $520,000
A well-related son of Harry Angel provided a late highlight in the final hour of the 2024 NZB Ready to Run Sale at Karaka on Thursday when he was knocked down to a $520,000 bid from bloodstock agent Morgan Carter.
Tavistock Mare Chasing G1
Last start Gr.3 Thompson Handicap (1600m) winner Town Cryer has another Trentham feature in her sights, taking the next step towards the Gr.1 TAB Mufhasa Classic (1600m) at the Foxton trials on Tuesday.
City of Troy Crowned 2024 Cartier European Horse of the Year
Outstanding Justify colt City of Troy was crowned Horse of the Year at the 2024 Cartier awards on Wednesday night in London at a star studded ceremony at the Dorchester Hotel.
No Compromise Still Going Strong in NZ
Bill Thurlow couldn’t have hoped for a better week at the New Zealand Cup carnival and is optimistic a more senior member of the team can add a northern feature to the stable’s tally this Saturday.
Ka Ying Rising connection draws Hayes team to Shamexpress at Karaka
With one of the world’s most exciting sprinters flying the flag for David Hayes in Hong Kong, it has been no surprise to see the trainer’s sons zeroing in on progeny of Windsor Park Stud stallion Shamexpress during the Ready to Run Sale at Karaka this week.
Million-dollar Hour for Leung at NZB Ready To Run
Hong Kong bloodstock agent Willie Leung had a big hour at Karaka early on Thursday afternoon, spending more than $1 million to secure two well-credentialled colts at the NZB Ready to Run Sale.
Sires With Winners - Wednesday November 20
Here is the full list of 39 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Vale, Danny Champion
The thoroughbred racing industry is in mourning following the passing of respected horseman Danny Champion.
Churchill Colt Pulls Off Stunning Pinhooking Result at NZB Ready To Run
Chad Ormsby has enjoyed plenty of racetrack success this year with pinhooks that he has been unable to sell at the Ready to Run Sale, but the multi-talented horseman had a very different outcome with the standout member of his 2024 Riverrock Farm draft at Karaka on Thursday.