Sale-Topping Karaka Graduate Wins on Debut

In the same mould as million dollar yearlings such as Darci Brahma and�Don Garcia, 2005 Karaka Premier Sale topper Enchanteress (Danehill x Encens) took a winning first step in her racing career with a victory on debut yesterday.

Although racing greenly, the three-year-old�filly's class prevailed to cement Enchanteress with a half-length win in the Maiden at Balaklava over 1200 metres. Tony McEvoy, assistant trainer at Lindsay Park Stud at Angaston, South Australia, confirmed that her next assignment is likely to be in Adelaide, after which she will head to the riches of Flemington's Spring Carnival and chase black-type.

Knocked down to the bid of Adrian Nicoll of BBA Ireland for NZ$1,300,000, Enchanteress is trained by David Hayes and raced by a line-up of international racing identities that includes Lord Lloyd-Webber, Lord Vestey and the Hon Peter Stanley, owner of star mare, Ouija Board.

�

�Enchanteress (Danehill x Encens) at Karaka in 2005

Enchanteress became just the second filly to top the Karaka Yearling Sale after Shower of Roses fetched NZ$1,450,000 in 2001. Sold by Peter and Philip Vela's Pencarrow Stud, Enchanteress is from the Common Grounds mare, Encens, a half-sister to champion sire, Scenic. A winner at two in France, Encens was purchased as part of a package of 20 mares who were in foal to Danehill and imported to New Zealand by Pencarrow Stud.

Encens has produced two horses to race, both by Sadler's Wells and both stakes placed winners in the Northern Hemisphere. She has a 2yo filly by Black Minnaloushe that will trained by Mark Walker, and a filly by Montjeu entered in next year's Karaka Yearling Sale. This season she will be mated with Arrowfield Stud sire sensation, Redoute's Choice.