€80,000 Minerve (Gr3) : Engaliwe back with a bang

Sunday 13th August 2023, Deauville-La Touques Racecourse (Calvados). – A nail-biting finish after the 1 mile 4½ furlongs of the €80,000 Prix Minerve (Gr3) saw the outsider Engaliwe (Galiway) snatch victory by a nose over the valiant Dschingis Star (Dschingis Secret), who had enjoyed a favourable run within the field. The latter had already take over Crack of Light (Kingman), who had followed the leaders.

The favourite, Tasmania (Australia), never found the gap after running in second position by the rail. The early leader, Scarlett O’Hara (Frankel), ended up in fourth, just a head behind…

Under trainer Max Cesandri's guidance and representing a large syndicate, the winner scored for the fourth time of the year. She began the season with back-to-back handicap victories rated 75 lbs and then 82 lbs at Chantilly over 1 mile 1½ furlongs and 1 mile 2½ furlongs, followed by her first Listed victory in the Prix de la Seine (Gr3) over 1 mile 3½ furlongs...

After a clear defeat in the Prix de Royaumont (Gr3), she bounces back spectacularly just 70 days later.

Bred by Alain de Lesguern, the winning dam, Don’t Look Back (Slickly), ran unsuccessfully on four occasions before retiring from racing. She subsequently produced five foals, all bred by Catherine Chalots and Céline Marie, joined here by Éric Chevrier. Engaliwe was sold as a foal for €8,500 to Pegasus Bloodstock, and later, privately for €15,000 at the summer sales in 2022 at Deauville. A yet-to-debut 2-year-old colt by Goken is currently in training with Simone Brogi.