In the G1 Ranvet S., six of the seven runners were bred in either Britain, Ireland or France, and they include two seven-figure purchases made by Yulong Investments last December. 

Group 1-winning mares Via Sistina (Ire) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}), who was bought for 2.7 million gns at Tattersalls, and Place Du Carrousel (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}), a €4.025 million Arqana purchase, are now trained respectively by Chris Waller and Anthony and Sam Freedman. They are set to go head to head in the 2,000-metre contest which also features Buckaroo (GB) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}), a former dual Listed winner in Ireland, French Listed winner Bois d'Argent (GB) (Toronado {Ire}), Military Mission (Ire) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}), and Zeyrek (Fr) (Sea The Stars {Ire}). Nine of the last 12 runnings of the race have been won by a horse bred in Europe.

Waller, who saddles both Via Sistina and Buckaroo for the A$1 million race, told Australia's Sky Racing World that he has been following the example set by his British counterpart William Haggas, who has twice won the Ranvet, with Addeybb (Ire) and Dubai Honour (Ire).

He said of Via Sistina, the winner of the G1 Pretty Polly S. and runner-up to King Of Steel in the G1 Champion S. for George Boughey  last year, “We prepared her in Newmarket, I kept a close eye on what Mr Haggas has done with a few of his horses which have beaten Verry Elleegant a number of times. He just gets it right every year. Firstly he brings the right horse. Secondly he prepares them well and thirdly they cope with the trip. So she looks like she's that type of horse.”

Waller added, “She's thrived the last two weeks. She's just going on the right path forward and I've been impressed with her.”

Some familiar names also make the cut for Saturday's 19-strong G1 George Ryder S.

The 2022 Irish 2,000 Guineas runner-up New Energy (Ire) (New Bay {GB}), whose move from Sheila Lavery to Ciaron Maher last year was not without controversy, makes his second start for Maher after finishing second in the G3 Liverpool City Cup at Randwick on his Australian debut.

He is set to face the former John and Thady Gosden trainee Mighty Ulysses (GB), the winner of last season's G3 Sovereign S. at Salisbury who is now trained by Annabel Neasham. The Irish Listed winner Cosmic Vega (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}), who changed hands for 100,000gns at Tattersalls last October, is also in the line-up along with Cepheus (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) and Unspoken (Ire) (Territories {Ire}).

The G3 N E Manion Cup, run over 2,400 metres, is another race in which the European imports have dominated over the last decade. Haggas won the race with Young Rascal (Fr) (Intello {Ger}) in 2020 and this year fields Post Impressionist (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}), who is now owned by Lloyd Williams.

“He's a nice horse and I think he's done enough to run to his best,” said Haggas on Wednesday. “Bit of a wide draw but he's a good stayer. He just hits a bit of a flat spot but maybe first time out he'll be fresh enough not to do that. It's quite a competitive race but if he has any aspirations to win a better class of race then he needs to be running well on Saturday.

“The Manion Cup followed by the Sydney Cup has always been the plan. Let's just hope he's good enough. He'd have 50kg in the Sydney Cup so Tom [Marquand] wouldn't be able to ride him but let's just worry about one race first, and that's Saturday. It's a pretty inconvenient time for a Newmarket trainer because I think the race is off at ten to two in the morning but that's the way it is. We'll look forward to it.”

Post Impressionist is up against last year's Listed Feilden S. winner Canberra Legend (Ire) (Australia {GB}), who is another to have joined the Waller stable. 

Another expensive Yulong acquisition to now be under the care of Sydney's champion trainer is Gan Teorainn (Ire) (Saxon Warrior {Jpn}), who is an interesting entrant for the G3 Epona S. Bought from Boherguy Stud for 1 million gns in 2022 after finishing runner-up to Blue Rose Cen (Ire) in the G1 Prix Marcel Boussac, she subsequently finished third in the G3 Lexus Archer S. at Flemington last November. 

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Trained by Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott, Storm Boy rattled off victories at Rosehill on debut in early December, followed by the G3 BJ McLachlan S. over 1200 metres on Dec. 23. Favoured for the Golden Slipper, he made his 2024 bow a winning one in the Listed Magic Millions 2yo Classic over that same trip in mid-January and continued to pad his record–after being purchased by Coolmore in the interim–when partnered with McDonald in the G2 Skyline S. earlier this month. He was the recipient of a positive update, after participating in a Rosehill exhibition gallop under McDonald once again, on Wednesday morning.

In the case of Switzerland, Chris Waller trains the bay, who claimed a Randwick affair in January and added the Coolmore Pierro Plate over 1100 metres in February, one start prior to his Todman heroics with McDonald at the controls.

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The 11-time Group 1 winner tallied the 2021 G1 Melbourne Cup to a venerable career and had been sent to France to race for conditioner Francis-Henri Graffard. After four winless outings in the Northern Hemisphere in 2022, including appearances in the G1 Darley Prix Jean Romanet, G1 Qatar Prix de Royallieu, and her final jump in the G1 QIPCO British Champions Fillies & Mares S., the four-time champion had been retired and bred to Sea The Stars (Ire).

“It is incredibly sad that we pass on the news on behalf of the ownership group that Verry Elleegant has passed away due to complications giving birth to her foal,” said Waller.

“The news is just filtering through to stable staff now and other close connections who are coming to terms with the tragic news. 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.”

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“Shinzo is a high profile colt, he is a Golden Slipper winner [Mar. 18] and Ryan knows the horse as well as anyone,” Coolmore's Tom Magnier told Racenet.

Magnier and Moore watched Shinzo's exhibition gallop alongside star stablemate Militarize at Royal Randwick last weekend.

“I remember Ryan telling me after the Golden Slipper that Shinzo was more like a 3-year-old back then and he couldn't believe the size and power he saw in the gallop,” Magnier said of the colt's last gallop. “Ryan can't wait to get back and ride Shinzo in the Golden Rose.”

Following the Golden Rose, trainer Chris Waller has expressed an interest in running Shinzo in the $20M The TAB Everest next month.

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The 9-year-old gelding finished sixth in the G3 Concorde S. at Royal Randwick earlier in the day. Several of his owners, including Ron Lyons, were at the track when Waller made the announcement.

“I'm announcing Nature Strip's retirement on behalf of the owners… It's only fitting that we announce it as soon as the decision has been made,” Waller told Sky Sports Racing after the race.

“He came to the race sound and was trialling well; there had been no indication that race ability wasn't there, but he wasn't the same horse in the race today. The spark and acceleration weren't there. He's been such a champion horse.”

A winner of 22 of his 43 career starts, Nature Strip was named the Australian Horse of the Year twice in 2020 and 2022, while also racking up titles as the Australian Champion Male Sprinter (2020-2022), Champion Older Horse (2020 and 2022), and Champion Turf Male (2020). Also highly regarded in England from five to seven furlongs in 2022, the Golden Grove Stud Farm-bred won a total of nine top-level races, among them three editions of the T J Smith S. (2020-2022), the Sprint Classic in 2019 and 2021, the 2019 Moir S., 2021 Black Caviar Lightning, and the 2019 Galaxy. An A$90,000 RNA at the 2016 Inglis Melbourne Premiere Yearling Sale, he retires with a mark of 43-22-8-1 and $14,846,644 in earnings.

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Drawn the fence and sent off the lukewarm $4.40 (17-5) favorite on the back of an outstanding third in the G2 Sapphire S. on her Australian debut at The Championships at Randwick two weeks back, the dark bay raced inside throughout beneath Nash Rawiller and traveled strongly from a joint fifth into the final quarter-mile. Opting to go for a run a few paths off the rail in the straight, Rawiller was forced to grab hold of Princess Grace for a stride or two when tight for running room, but she shouldered her way through and shot clear to win comfortably in the end.

“We were 50/50 whether we gave her a second run or waited for the Spring Carnival,” Charlie Duckworth, assistant to and racing manager for trainer Chris Waller, told SKY Racing. “When she drew well, we said, 'let's take our chances', especially when the track came up a 5 [soft side of good] rather than the heavy track. Nash gave her a beautiful ride, obviously it looked a bit dicey, but no better man to have than Nash on when you're stuck in a bit of a tight spot. Exciting horse.”

Racing as a homebred for the Moores, Princess Grace closed her 3-year-old season with a victory in the off-turf GIII Mrs. Revere S. and registered three wins at the graded level on the grass in succession in 2021–the GIII Dr. Penny Memorial S., the GII Yellow Ribbon H. and the GIII Kentucky Downs Ladies Turf–before closing the campaign with a sound third to Regal Glory (Animal Kingdom) in the GI Matriarch S.

After successfully defending her title in the Penny, Princess Grace was second to Dalika (Ger) (Pastorius {Ger}) in the GI Beverly D. S. and again in the Ladies' Turf ahead of a third to In Italian (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) and Regal Glory in the GI First Lady S. China Horse Club acquired the mare for $1.7 million at last year's Fasig-Tipton November Sale and turned her over to Waller, most notably the trainer of the legendary Winx (Aus) (Street Cry {Ire}).

The Moores also race Princess Grace's 4-year-old gelded half-brother Catnip (Kitten's Joy), who broke his maiden at Colonial Downs like his half-sister, and who is entered for a first-level allowance on the turf at Keeneland Apr. 26. Masquerade is also the dam of the 2-year-old filly Mixologist (Frosted), a $175,000 Keeneland September purchase by Solis/Litt and, according to Cobra Farm manager Mike Owens, the Moores intend to race the mare's yearling filly by American Pharoah named Miss U. S. A. Owens said that Masquerade delivered a Gun Runner filly at Cobra Farm Mar. 20. Masquerade will be bred back to the China Horse Club part-owned Life Is Good.

Duckworth indicated that sex-restricted tests in Group 1 company loom as targets come the Australian springtime.

“Great ride from Nash.”

Former US mare Princess Grace gets a @nashhot special to take out the Group 3 @hawkesburyrc Crown for @cwallerracing, she defeated Expat with Dalchini charging home to snatch third. @tabcomau pic.twitter.com/ANh1naKz1l

— Racing NSW (@racing_nsw) April 22, 2023

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An impressive winner of the G2 Ribblesdale S. at Royal Ascot for former trainer Jessica Harrington, the Northern Hemisphere 4-year-old is now berthed with Australian Champion Trainer Chris Waller.

“She's with Chris Waller and he's very happy with her, she's settled in well,” Fairgray said. “He'll take her towards a trial at the end of next month and we'll just see how she progresses from there. Ideally, all going well, the Queen Elizabeth would be a good target for her.”

Out of the Lagunas (GB) mare Night Lagoon (Ger), the 305,000gns Tattersalls October Book 1 yearling purchase is also a half-sister to four-time Group 1 winner and sire Novellist (Ire) (Monsun {Ger}). Fifth in York's G1 Yorkshire Oaks in August, the bay was unplaced in the G1 Queen Elizabeth II Cup at Hanshin in November.

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Co-owner Brae Sokolski told the website that the decision was not final, but that the ownership was leaning in the direction of breeding to the sire that has been represented by the world's top-rated turf horse Baaeed (GB) and the legendary stayer Stradivarius (Ire).

“She'll be served to northern hemisphere time and while no final decision has been made on the stallion, Sea The Stars is probably the most likely suitor,” Sokolski said of last year's Melbourne Cup hero.

“Then we will decide whether to keep her there (Europe) and do it again or bring her back. It's unresolved at the moment.”

Having taken races like the G1 Lexus Melbourne Cup and G1 Caulfield while under the care of Chris Waller, Verry Elleegant was sent to the northern hemisphere this spring to be trained by Francis-Henri Graffard. In four European appearances, the 7-year-old was third in the G2 Qatar Prix Foy and closed her career with an unplaced effort in the G1 QIPCO British Champions Fillies and Mares at Ascot Oct. 15.

Sea The Stars resides at the Aga Khan's Gilltown Stud in Ireland, where he served mares at an advertised fee of €150,000 in 2022.

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The 7-year-old won all of her Group 1 races for Chris Waller before being transferred to Francis-Henri Graffard this summer in preparation for an audacious European campaign, which was focused around the G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe.

Last year's G1 Melbourne Cup winner did not sparkle in the Northern Hemisphere, however. She failed to win on her first two starts and subsequently missed the cut for the Arc.

Instead, she ran in the G1 Prix de Royallieu on the same weekend at ParisLongchamp, finishing seventh. Verry Elleegant made her final appearance on the track with a ninth-place finish behind Emily Upjohn (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) on Champions Day.

A statement from her owners, Jamara Bloodstock Ltd, said, “Verry Elleegant will rightfully take her place among the pantheon of Australia's champion racehorses, with a record that compares favourably with any stayer of the modern era.

“Throughout her career, she demonstrated remarkable durability and consistency at the highest-level winning Group 1s as a 3-year-old filly through to a 6-year-old mare, at 1400m through to 3200m.

“She accumulated a staggering 11 Group 1 victories (equal 12th all time in Australia) and almost A$15 million in prizemoney (fourth all-time in Australia).

“Her lasting legacy won't be measured by her prize-money or Group 1 tally but more so by the joy and happiness she brought her legion of fans. Her indomitable will to win inspired us all.

“There were so many individuals that played a massive role in her success but we would like to particularly thank Chris Waller and his entire team, including track rider Chris Harwood and groom Rocky Mangat, jockey James McDonald and Francis Graffard and his stable.

“Rest assured though, the Verry Elleegant story is far from over and we now look forward to the next chapter in her remarkable story, her life as a mum. The plan is to keep her in the pristine fields of France until she can be served by a leading European stallion in Northern Hemisphere time next year. We wish to thank everyone for their love and support over the years.”

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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.”

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