Frankie Dettori has been booked to experience Melbourne Cup heroine Verry Elleegant on her French debut within the Darley Prix Jean Romanet later this month.
The seven-year-old was partnered by high southern hemisphere rider James McDonald in 9 of her 11 Group One victories for Chris Waller in Australia, with the jockey aboard for her four-length success at Flemington within the ‘race that stops the nation’.
Nonetheless, Verry Elleegant won’t lack for help within the saddle when three-times British champion Dettori takes the reins in Deauville’s 10-furlong Group One on August 21.
New handler Francis-Henri Graffard will put together the daughter of Zed for her European debut, which can function a prep race for the last word goal of the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe in October.
Graffard confirmed: “She goes to run within the Prix Jean Romanet with Frankie Dettori. Every little thing is ok with the mare and we’re on track for Deauville on August 21.”
Verry Elleegant’s proprietor Brae Sokolski is thrilled to have secured Dettori’s providers.
He informed www.racenet.com.au: “Now we have the King (Dettori) and Queen (Verry Elleegant) combining – there’s a actual ‘romantic’ side to it.
“Ideally, we’d have him aboard her for her last severe gallop however it isn’t going to occur.
“However Frankie has the expertise and Verry Elleegant is a way more mature mare now.
“As a younger horse, she was tough to deal with however she is sort of relaxed now so it should not be a problem.”
