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The discovery of a polished ax and a tumulus testify to a very ancient settlement of the territory. In the XNUMXth century, archaeological debris and construction remains were unearthed on the site of the dry pond of Mortemé. This site, which is now on the Hippodrome de Verrie, has never been excavated scientifically but it could be a small Gallo-Roman settlement. At a place called Montésy, the hill conceals cavities used as underground refuges since the earliest times.

The village of Verrie was formed in the High Middle Ages around a small priory founded by the monks of the Saint-Florent de Saumur abbey. The church is first of all a simple chapel belonging to the neighboring parish of Chênehutte. In the XNUMXth century, Verrie became an independent parish and the church dedicated to Saint-André was partly rebuilt. However, the building retains some very old architectural elements, traditionally dating from the Carolingian period (XNUMXth-XNUMXth centuries). It is a section of rubble wall laid out “in fish bone” and a remarkable bay with a trellis. This type of opening, made up of an openwork stone slab, was used before the appearance of stained glass.

At the end of the 1877th century, the site of the desiccated pond of Mortemé was chosen to house the new Saumur racecourse. The first horse races took place in June 1881. Additional arrangements were made from 32. The Verrie racecourse then specialized in obstacle races while the flat events generally took place on the Varrains racetrack. . The Verrie cross-country course is particularly feared for its difficulty. Rare are the riders who manage to cross its XNUMX obstacles without damage! Spectators watch spectacular falls from the top of the metal stand perched on the central hill. Verrie also became the usual training ground for the students of the Ecole de Cavalerie de Saumur and the competitions often included events reserved for the military.