Ensconse

Last updated
Ensconse
Sire Lyphard
Grandsire Northern Dancer
DamCarefully Hidden
Damsire Caro
Sex Mare
Foaled20 March 1986 [1]
CountryUnited States
Colour Bay
BreederKing Ranch
Owner Sheikh Mohammed
Trainer Luca Cumani
Record7: 4-2-1
Earnings£158,070
Major wins
Nell Gwyn Stakes (1989)
Irish 1000 Guineas (1989)

Ensconse (foaled 20 March 1986) was an American-bred, British-trained Thoroughbred racehorse and broodmare. In 1988 she showed considerable promise as she won a twenty-five runner maiden race and the Blue Seal Stakes in her two racecourse appearances. In the following year she won the Nell Gwyn Stakes and finished fourth when favourite for the 1000 Guineas before recording her biggest success when winning the Irish 1000 Guineas. In her two remaining starts she was unlucky in running when sixth in the Prix de Diane and ran second in the Child Stakes. She was retired from racing at the end of the year to become a broodmare but produced only two foals, neither of whom had any success on the racecourse.

Contents

Background

Ensconse was a bay mare with white socks on her front feet bred in Kentucky by King Ranch. As a yearling she was bought by Sheikh Mohammed and was sent to race in Europe. She was trained throughout her racing career by Luca Cumani at Newmarket, Suffolk and was ridden in all but one of her races by Ray Cochrane.

She was from the thirteenth crop of foals sired by Lyphard, an American-bred stallion who raced in France, winning the Prix Jacques Le Marois and Prix de la Forêt in 1972. [2] Lyphard went on to become a very successful breeding stallion in both Europe and North America, siring Three Troikas, Dancing Brave and Manila. Her dam Carefully Hidden was a descendant of the influential American broodmare Iltis (foaled in 1947), the female-line ancestor of In Reality, Diamond Shoal, Glint of Gold and Tank's Prospect. [3]

Racing career

1988: two-year-old season

Ensconse made her racecourse debut in a maiden race over six furlongs at Nottingham Racecourse on 5 September. Starting the 3/1 second favourite in a twenty-five runner field she took the lead two furlongs from the finish and won by three quarters of a length from the Michael Stoute-trained Dance Festival. [4] Seventeen days later over the same distance at Ascot Racecourse the filly started joint-favourite for the Blue Seal Stakes. She took the lead approaching the last quarter mile and won by a length Guest Artiste. [5]

1989: three-year-old season

On 18 April 1989 Ensconse began her second season by contesting the Nell Gwyn Stakes (a major trial for the 1000 Guineas) over seven furlongs at Newmarket Racecourse and started the 2/1 joint favourite alongside Mythyaar. The other six runners included Guest Artiste, Muhbubh (Princess Margaret Stakes) and Miss Demure (Lowther Stakes). After being restrained by Cochrane in the early stages she accelerated in the last quarter mile, overtook the outsider Aldbourne inside the final furlong and won by one and a half lengths with two lengths back to Muhbubh in third. [6]

In the 176th running of the 1000 Guineas over the Rowley Mile at Newmarket on 4 May, Ensconse started the 7/4 favourite ahead of Musical Bliss and Pass the Peace in a seven-runner field. She raced towards the rear of the field in a slowly-run race and was unable to make significant progress in the closing stages, finishing fourth behind Musical Bliss, Kerrera and Aldbourne. The Irish 1000 Guineas at the Curragh on 27 May saw Ensconse made the 13/8 favourite in a field of thirteen. Aldbourne and Dance Festival were again in opposition whilst the other runners included Flamenco Wave (Moyglare Stud Stakes), Tursanah (Athasi Stakes), Blasted Heath (Marble Hill Stakes) and Honoria (Railway Stakes). After tracking the leaders Ensconse took the lead approaching the last quarter mile, broke clear of her opponents and stayed on to win by two lengths from Aldbourne. [7]

On 11 June Ensconse was sent to France and moved up in distance for the Prix de Diane over 2000 metres at Chantilly Racecourse. Ridden by Pat Eddery she was hampered at half way and dropped back to last place before staying on in the straight to finish sixth of the fourteen runners behind Lady In Silver. In July she was dropped back to one mile and started favourite for the Child Stakes at Newmarket in which she finished second to Magic Gleam.

Breeding record

After her retirement from racing Ensconse became a broodmare for her owner's stud. She produced only two reported foals, neither of whom made any impact:

Pedigree

Pedigree of Ensconse (USA), bay mare, 1986 [1]
Sire
Lyphard (USA)
1969
Northern Dancer (CAN)
1961
Nearctic Nearco
Lady Angela
Natalma Native Dancer
Almahmoud
Goofed (USA)
1960
Court Martial Fair Trial
Instantaneous
BarraFormor
La Favorite
Dam
Carefully Hidden (USA)
1979
Caro (IRE)
1967
Fortino Grey Sovereign
Ranavalo
Chambord Chamossaire
Life Hill
Treasure Chest (USA)
1962
Rough'n Tumble Free For All
Roused
Iltis War Relic
We Hail (Family 21-a) [3]

Related Research Articles

Sayyedati was a British Thoroughbred racehorse and broodmare. In a racing career which lasted from June 1992 to October 1995 she ran twenty-two times winning six races and being placed eight times. Sayyedati was one of the leading two-year-old fillies in Europe in 1992, recording Group One successes in the Moyglare Stud Stakes at the Curragh and the Cheveley Park Stakes at Newmarket Racecourse. After being beaten on her three-year-old debut, Sayyedati won the Classic 1000 Guineas. She went on to become a successful international performer over a mile, winning the Prix Jacques le Marois at Deauville in 1993 and the Sussex Stakes at Goodwood as a five-year-old. She was also placed in several major races including the Breeders' Cup Mile. Sayyedati was retired from racing to become a broodmare at the end of her five-year-old season.

Musical Bliss (1986–2006) was an American-bred, British-trained Thoroughbred racehorse and broodmare who won the classic 1000 Guineas in 1989. In a racing career lasting from July 1988 until August 1989, the filly ran five times and won three races. In 1988, Musical Bliss won both her races including the Rockfel Stakes at Newmarket Racecourse. On her first appearance as a three-year-old, she won the 1000 Guineas but ran poorly in her two other races and was retired from racing at the end of the year. Her record as a broodmare was mixed.

Sonic Lady was an American-bred, British-trained racehorse and broodmare. A temperamental filly who was often difficult to ride, she was a specialist miler who won seven Group races. After winning her only race as a two-year-old, she won the Nell Gwyn Stakes in April 1986, but was beaten into third place when favourite for the 1000 Guineas. She then won her next five races: the Irish 1000 Guineas, Coronation Stakes, Child Stakes, Sussex Stakes and Prix du Moulin and was rated the best filly of her generation in Europe. She stayed in training as a four-year-old in 1987 and won a second Child Stakes. She was twice the beaten favourite in the Breeders' Cup Mile. Retired to stud at the end of 1987, she had some success as a broodmare.

Milligram was a British Thoroughbred racehorse and broodmare, best known for her win over Miesque and Sonic Lady in the 1987 Queen Elizabeth II Stakes. In a racing career which lasted from September 1986 until November 1987 she ran nine times and won four races. Apart from the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes, she won the Coronation Stakes and Waterford Crystal Mile, as well as finishing second in the Prix Marcel Boussac, 1000 Guineas and Irish 1000 Guineas. She was the highest-rated horse in the United Kingdom over one mile in 1987. Milligram was retired at the end of her three-year-old season and had some success as a broodmare.

On The House was a French-bred, British-trined Thoroughbred racehorse and broodmare best known for winning the classic 1000 Guineas in 1982. She was one of the best British two-year-old fillies of 1981 when she won two races and finished second in the Cheveley Park Stakes. In the following spring she ran poorly in her first race but then recorded an upset victory in the 169th running of the 1000 Guineas. After being beaten in her next two races she again upset the odds by winning the all-aged Sussex Stakes. After her retirement from racing she had some success as a broodmare and i the female-line ancestor of Cracksman.

Fairy Footsteps was a British Thoroughbred racehorse and broodmare best known for winning the classic 1000 Guineas in 1981. She showed promise in her first two races as a two-year-old before establishing herself as one of the best fillies of her generation with an emphatic win in the Waterford Candelabra Stakes. In the spring of 1981 she was heavily backed for the 1000 Guineas before and after a win in the Nell Gwyn Stakes. She won the 1000 Guineas by leading all the way and was considered highly likely to follow up with a win in the Epsom Oaks but was retired after a disappointing defeat in the Musidora Stakes. She had some success as a broodmare.

Blue Wind Irish-bred Thoroughbred racehorse

Blue Wind was an Irish Thoroughbred racehorse and broodmare best known for winning the classic Oaks Stakes in 1981. She showed promising form as a two-year-old in 1980 when she won two of her five races including the Silken Glider Stakes. In the following year she finished second in the Irish 1000 Guineas and then showed her best form when moved up in distance, winning the Oaks by seven lengths and following up in the Irish Oaks a month later. In 1982 she was campaigned in the United States without success. She made no impact as a broodmare.

One in a Million was an Irish-bred, British-trained Thoroughbred racehorse and broodmare best known for winning the classic 1000 Guineas in 1979. She won both her races as a two-year-old in impressive style and began her three-year-old season with a five length win in the Nell Gwyn Stakes. She won the 1000 Guineas as a short-priced favourite and was awarded victory in the Coronation Stakes on the disqualification of Buz Kashi. She lost her unbeaten record when finishing unplaced in the July Cup and never raced again. After being retired from racing she had considerable success as a broodmare. She died in 1992.

Sigy was a French Thoroughbred racehorse and broodmare. She was best known for her exploits as a two-year-old in 1978, when she won her last three races culminating with a win over colts and older horses in the Prix de l'Abbaye. At the end of the season she was rated the best racehorse of her age and sex in Europe. Her three-year-old career was disappointing, although she did win the Prix du Gros Chene. She later had some success as a broodmare.

Exclusive was a British Thoroughbred racehorse and broodmare. As a juvenile, she won a strongly-contested race on her debut and the finished third in the Fillies' Mile. As a three-year-old in 1998 she finished third in the classic 1000 Guineas before recording her biggest win in the Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot. After her retirement from racing, she became a very successful broodmare, being the ancestor of major winners including Chic and Integral.

Chimes of Freedom was an American-bred British-trained Thoroughbred racehorse and broodmare. Bred in Kentucky by her owner Stavros Niarchos she was sent to race in England where she was trained by Henry Cecil. She was one of the best juvenile fillies of her generation in Europe, winning four of her five races including the Cherry Hinton Stakes in Britain and the Moyglare Stud Stakes in Ireland. In the following year she did not contest any of the classics but recorded major victories in the Coronation Stakes and the Child Stakes. After being retired at the end of the season she became a highly successful broodmare, producing several major winners.

Magic of Life was an American-bred British-trained Thoroughbred racehorse and broodmare. She was bred in Virginia, was sold for a world record price for a foal and sent to race in Europe. As a juvenile she showed very good form, winning three of her five races including a victory over male opposition in the Mill Reef Stakes. In the following year she recorded her most important success when winning the Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot. She went on to have a long and successful second career as a broodmare.

Embla was a British Thoroughbred racehorse and broodmare. In a racing career which lasted from June 1985 until October 1986 she won four of her nine races. As a two-year-old she finished second on her debut and won two minor races before recording an upset victory over a strong field for the Cheveley Park Stakes. In the following year she finished fifth in the 1000 Guineas and second in the Coronation Stakes before ending her career with a win in the Petition Stakes. Her broodmare career was largely undistinguished but she produced one excellent racehorse in Zenno El Cid, a major winner in Japan.

Aqaarid was an American-bred British-trained Thoroughbred racehorse and broodmare who was the beaten favourite in two of the five British Classic Races. In a racing career which lasted from July 1994 until June 1995 she won three of her five starts. As a two-year-old she won a minor race on her debut and then stepped up in class to win the Group One Fillies' Mile at Ascot Racecourse. After winning a very strong renewal of the Fred Darling Stakes in the following spring she was beaten by Harayir when favoured to win the 1000 Guineas. A month later she started a short-priced favourite for The Oaks but finished sixth behind Moonshell.

Mehthaaf was an American-bred, British-trained Thoroughbred racehorse and broodmare. She showed great promise as a two-year-old in 1993, winning on her second racecourse appearance and going on to finish third in both the Lowther Stakes and the Prix Marcel Boussac. As a three-year-old she won the Nell Gwyn Stakes and ran fourth when favourite for the 1000 Guineas before winning the Irish 1000 Guineas. Later in the season she produced arguably her best performance with an emphatic victory over male opponents in the Celebration Mile. She also ran third in the Coronation Stakes and Prix Jacques le Marois as well as finishing fourth in the Champion Stakes. After her retirement from racing she had considerable success as a broodmare.

Matiya was an Irish-bred, British-trained Thoroughbred racehorse and broodmare. After winning on her racecourse debut she was beaten in her three remaining races as a two-year-old but showed very promising form when finishing third in the Fillies' Mile. In the following spring she finished second in the 1000 Guineas before recording her biggest success in the Irish 1000 Guineas. She went on to finish third in the Prix de Diane but finished last in her two subsequent races and was retired from racing at the end of the year. She had limited success as a broodmare.

Katies was an Irish-bred, British-trained Thoroughbred racehorse and broodmare. After recording one minor win as a two-year-old she reached her peak in the spring and summer of the following year, taking major prizes in the Irish 1000 Guineas and the Coronation Stakes. At the end of the year she was rated the best three-year-old filly trained in Britain. After the end of her racing career she became a successful broodmare whose foals had great success in Japan.

Cloonagh was an Irish-bred, British-trained Thoroughbred racehorse and broodmare. After winning one minor race as a two-year-old she showed great improvement in the following spring when she took the Pretty Polly Stakes in England before recording her biggest win in the Irish 1000 Guineas. She was well beaten in her last two races and was retired at the end of the season. She produced one foal before dying in 1975 at the age of five.

Pia (horse) British-bred Thoroughbred racehorse

Pia was a British-bred Thoroughbred racehorse and broodmare. She showed top-class form as a juvenile in 1966 when she won three races including the Cherry Hinton Stakes and the Lowther Stakes as well as finishing second in the Cheveley Park Stakes. In the following year she ran fourth in the 1000 Guineas and third in the Musidora Stakes before recording her biggest win in the Epsom Oaks. Later that year she dead-heated for first place in the Park Hill Stakes and ran fourth in a strong renewal of the Champion Stakes before being retired from racing. Although her foals made little impact on the track, her daughter Principia became an influential broodmare.

Valentine Waltz was an Irish-bred Thoroughbred racehorse and broodmare. As a two-year-old she was initially trained in Ireland where she failed to win in four races although she did finish third in the Marble Hill Stakes. Later in the year she was moved to England and improved, winning a minor race and being placed in both the Rockingham Stakes and the Rockfel Stakes. In the following year she developed into one of the best fillies of her generation in Europe, winning the Nell Gwyn Stakes and the Poule d'Essai des Pouliches as well as finishing third in both the 1000 Guineas and the Coronation Stakes. After her retirement from racing she became a broodmare and had modest success as a dam of winners.

References

  1. 1 2 "Ensconse pedigree". Equineline.
  2. Timeform staff (1973). Racehorses of 1972. Timeform.
  3. 1 2 "Wagtail – Family 21-a". Thoroughbred Bloodlines. Retrieved 2013-06-09.
  4. "Usher Walker Maiden Fillies' Stakes result". Racing Post. 5 September 1988.
  5. "Blue Seal Stakes result". Racing Post. 22 September 1988.
  6. "Nell Gwyn Stakes result". Racing Post. 18 April 1989.
  7. "Irish 1000 Guineas result". Racing Post. 27 May 1989.
  8. "Bal Masque – Record By Race Type". Racing Post.