Enbihaar too good at Goodwood

In the year of his death Redoute’s Choice has notched up three major achievements: an historic Guineas treble by his best racing colt, The Autumn Sun; his first Australian Broodmare Sires’ premiership; and the first Group 1 winner from his two European crops, Danceteria in Germany on 28 July.

And there’s more elite success to come in Europe, judging by the dominant victory of his 4YO daughter Enbihaar in Saturday’s Goodwood Lillie Langtry S. 2800m G2.

The John Gosden-trained mare had already won the Daisy Warwick S. LR at Goodwood in May, before finishing second in the York Bronte Cup Gand then winning the Haydock Lancashire Oaks G2 on 6 July. 

This time at Goodwood, jockey Jim Crowley settled Enbihaar near the back of the field where she travelled easily before pushing forward three furlongs from home. Asked to quicken a furlong later, Enbihaar responded brilliantly and raced away for an easy five-length victory. 

ENBIHAAR, an imposing daughter of Redoute’s Choice, records an eye catching victory in the G2 Lillie Langtry Stakes for @JimCrowley1978 and John Gosden 🔥🏆@Goodwood_Races #QGF pic.twitter.com/BtG3CYWVPP

— World Horse Racing (@WHR) August 3, 2019

Enbihaar was bred by Charles Henri de Moussac’s Haras du Mezeray from Chanterelle (by Trempelino), a half-sister to French Group 1 winner Amonita. Sent to the 2016 Arqana August Yearling Sale, the statuesque bay filly was bought for €500,000 by someone who knows better than most what a quality Redoute’s Choice yearling looks like. 

That was Sheikh Hamdan’s renowned Racing Manager Angus Gold, who found Group 1 winners Nadeem, Majmu, Rafeef & Mustaaqeem at Inglis Easter, and was the under-bidder on Miss Finland and The Autumn Sun.

He said after Enbihaar’s latest success, “I was really impressed with her. I’m a real fan of this filly. She was quite hot and fizzy as a two-year-old but she has absolutely settled down now and loves her work. She stays surprising well for a Redoute’s Choice, and she handles this fast ground. It was a really good performance with a penalty.

“She’s got a magnificent stride on her, and she must be about 16.3hh, but she was light framed when we bought her and has just really developed. I’m delighted for Sheikh Hamdan, who kept her in training.”

Enbihaar’s next start is likely to be next month’s Doncaster Park Hill S. G2,  possibly followed by the Longchamp Prix de Royallieu for fillies & mares, newly promoted to Group 1 status and extended to 2800 metres, on 5 October .

It has been a strong year for Redoute’s Choice in the northern hemisphere with seven Group & Listed wins by Danceteria, Enbihaar & Spotify boosting the record of his two crops conceived at HH the Aga Khan’s Haras de Bonneval. Those crops have now produced nine stakeswinners (6 of them Group winners) from 104 runners.

Back home in Australia, Redoute’s Choice achieved his 13th top 10 finish on the 2018/19 General Sires’ premiership, as well as winning the Broodmare Sires’ title with a record total of $23.2 million. 

With a large group of proven performers still racing in Australia, promising just-turned 3YOs and a crop of 2YOs that averaged $470,000 in the sale-ring, this is one legendary sire whose legend is still being written.