Minerve: Eternal Pearl, in the name of Godolphin, Saint-Pair and Frankel!

Sunday, August 14, 2022, Deauville-La Touques Racecourse (Calvados). – This is another top success for Frankel after that of Inspiral in the main race of the day, the "Marois". Over the Prix Minerve (Gr3)’s extended 1m1/2 trip, Eternal Pearl (Frankel) has indeed dominated her eight rivals with a dream trip along the rail. First held in the rear, she was able to make way without changing lines because the French riders shifted outwards in the backstretch, probably scratching their helmets as to what the most clever move could be, following Christophe Soumillon with Queen Trezy (Almanzor) and Mickaël Barzalona aboard Melo Melo (Gleneagles). It became, however, a most clever move for William Buick aboard the race’s favourite.

Going off the bend, Queen Trezy and Melo Melo took over Fennela (Sea the Stars), and the former took the lead one out. Yet, Eternal Pearl went by on her inside and burst out so fast that the French challenger could not hold on. The winner scored by two lengths while Queen Trezy, brave to the wire, kept the zeroing Sea the Sky (Sea the Stars) at a neck.

Eternal Pearl races for Godolphin but this native of Great Britain was bred in France at Haras de Saint-Pair. After three placings, including the second place following her debut in a Listed race over 10 furlongs at Goodwood, the filly trained by Charlie Appleby lined up two victories, then this one for her first steps in France...

Eternal Pearl was purchased for £700,000 at Newmarket's Tattersalls sales. Her dam Pearly Steph (Oasis Dream) is a winner of a Listed race and a granddaughter of the champion Pearly Shells (Efisio).