Champion jockey Frankie Dettori has been confirmed to ride Verry Elleegant in her debut in France.
After a shock split from Chris Waller and a move overseas, last year's Melbourne Cup winner will compete in the Group 1 Prix Jean Romanet on August 21st.
The eight-year-old mare claimed 11 Group 1 victories on Australian soil, with the last of those coming in the Chipping Norton Stakes back in February.
Co-owner Brae Sokolski confirmed the news on RSN on Wednesday and said that new trainer Francis-Henri Graffard has her in top shape heading into a huge few months.
"We are pleased to confirm that overnight, we formally engaged Frankie Dettori to ride her first-up," he said.
"[It is] a huge coup – the king rides the queen.
"Having spoken to Francis yesterday, he is absolutely rapt with the way she is going. I was there myself last week – she has never been in better order physically.
"She looks absolutely fantastic and he feels that he has got her exactly where he wants."
Frankie Dettori x Verry Elleegant
— 7HorseRacing 🐎 (@7horseracing) August 10, 2022
Bring on August 21! 🇫🇷💙❤️ pic.twitter.com/GUeeUjh643
Big news this morning from Brae Sokolski on @RSN927 with defending @Lexus #MelbourneCup champion Verry Elleegant to be ridden by Flemington favourite @FrankieDettori in the G1 Prix Jean Romanet on August 21! pic.twitter.com/qJjP7xL6Rg
— Victoria Racing Club (@FlemingtonVRC) August 9, 2022
Verry Elleegant is set to contend in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe in October, where she is currently rated a $15 chance with TAB.