James Tzaferis takes a quick look at some of the stallions who could be in the mix to cover the 11-time Group 1 winner.

International Stallions

Frankel - It is hard to imagine connections of Verry Elleegant not giving strong consideration to a mating with the horse many believe is the best to ever grace the turf and whose record in the breeding barn is equally as impressive. From his base at Juddmonte in Newmarket, the son of the great Galileo sires G1 winners for fun, including nine individual elite-level winners in 2022. This year alone, he's sired Arc winner Alpinista, Irish Derby champ Westover, French Oaks heroine Nashwa and Royal Ascot winner Inspiral, among others. Frankel's progeny are extremely versatile - who would argue such a mating couldn't produce a Melbourne Cup winner?

Baaeed - Will connections consider a first-season sire for Verry Elleegant's maiden cover? If so, then surely they'd look no further than Baaeed, who bowed out of racing in a similar manner to the mare with an underwhelming performance on Champions Day. Like Verry Elleegant, his final racetrack appearance wasn't a true indication of his ability, which saw him win his first 10 races, including six at G1 level. Baaeed is the best-performed son of Sea The Stars, who is a champion sire in his own right. The Green Desert sireline has worked particularly well Down Under via the deeds of champion sire I Am Invincible.

Epiphaneia - Many of Australasia's best G1-winning mares of recent times have been sold to Japan to begin their breeding careers and while connections of Verry Elleegant are unlikely to sell, they could yet consider a Japanese stallion. Epiphaneia, who stands as part of a massive roster at Shadai Stallion Station, could be an option if they do. On the track, he was a star with wins in the G1 Japanese St Leger and the Japan Cup. As a stallion, he's quickly making a name for himself as one of the country's hottest young sires and can lay claim to 2021 JRS Horse of the Year Efforia and G1 winner Daring Tact.

Australasian Stallions

So You Think - Coolmore's pin-up boy seems one of the logical options if Verry Elleegant returns to Australia to be mated. Like Verry Elleegant herself, his progeny are extremely versatile and have won G1 races from 1400m to 3200m. The So You Think - Zabeel cross is a ripper too, with 22 winners and four Stakes winners from 29 runners including G1 winners Think It Over and Nimalee.

Shamus Award - Surely Rosemont Stud's Shamus Award would also be a part of the conversation if Verry Elleegant returns to Australia? The son of Snitzel has come of age with five individual G1 winners since 2019 and has proven his ability to sire classic winners and Cup winners in a similar mould to Verry Elleegant, with Duais, El Patroness and Incentivise headlining his growing CV.

Almanzor - Will connections choose to take Verry Elleegant back to New Zealand to start her career at stud? If so, Cambridge Stud's shuttler Almanzor could be the right option for her. A three-time G1 winner over middle distances as a three-year-old, he's made an impressive start to life at stud in New Zealand and sired this year's Karaka Million 2YO winner Dynastic. His oldest NZ-bred progeny have just turned three and he's free of any Danehill and Zabeel influence as well, so there's plenty of upside.