Enora Springs Surprise in German Oaks

Enora overcame her lack of experience to post a 15-1 upset in the Henkel Preis der Diana Deutsches Stuten Derby (German Oaks, Ger-I) by a half-length at Dusseldorf Aug. 1.

The 3-year-old daughter of Noverre, making just her fourth career start in the Oaks, raced liked a seasoned veteran, flying home late to snatch victory in the final strides from Elle Shadow.

Semina broke sharply and went straight to the front. She was tracked closely by Isantha and Warsaw Ballet, while the heavy favorite Hibaayeb raced keenly in sixth under Frankie Dettori. Jockey Terry Hellier kept Enora under wraps at the back of the pack through the early running.

As the field turned for home, Semina was put under a drive and spurted away from the field. Elle Shadow made her move from mid-pack, passing tired horses and drawing alongside the front-runner.  

Elle Shadow took command in the final furlong as Semina began to tire. But Enora was under a full head of steam and was flying on the far outside. She got up in the final strides to snatch the victory away from Elle Shadow.

Nicea passed tired horses to finish third, 1 1/4 lengths behind Elle Shadow. Hibaayeb was never a factor and finished seventh.

Final time for the 11 furlongs was 2:14.68 over the soft going.

Enora gave ex-jockey Torsten Mundry his first group I winner in his second season of training.  Mundry, who had three runners in the 16-horse field, admitted after the race that he had been unsure of the pecking order among his trio.

Mundry said: “I won several races on Enora’s half-brother, but of my runners I ranked her as the least favorite because of her lack of experience in such a tough race.

“We’re delighted with her though, and now the intention would be to bring her back in the autumn. We will keep her to her own sex and the Prix Vermeille (Fr-I) would be a possibility.”

Enora became the second group I winner of the year for Noverre, whose Music Show captured the Etihad Airways Falmouth Stakes (Eng-I) last month. Noverre, who began his stud career at Kildangan Stud in Ireland, was sold by Darley in 2008 and now stands in India.

Enora was bred in Germany by her owners, Gestut Roettgen. She is out of the stakes-placed Niniski mare Enrica and is a half-sister to multiple stakes winner Egerton.