shengai enki
£2,699.00 per 5% Share +
£175 Per Month Training Fee
The five-year-old Buck’s Boum gelding Shengai Enki has been a real moneyspinner since joining Deva Racing and is only just getting started. He is trained by Dr Richard Newland and Jamie Insole in Worcestershire.
His sire, a full-brother to the outstanding staying hurdler Big Buck’s, is responsible for the dual Gr.1 Cheltenham Gold Cup hero Al Boum Photo and the Gr.1 Arkle Chase winner Duc des Genievres, amongst many others. His dam, Lady Needles, was Listed-placed on the Flat and is also the dam of the black-type-placed French jumper Pao Enki.
Beginning his career in Ireland, Shengai Enki made his debut in a Naas bumper in February 2023, attracting market support before finishing a satisfactory seventh, then comfortably outran odds of 80/1 when midfield in a 22-runner affair at the Punchestown Festival. He finished third in the Scottish Borders at Kelso on his third and final bumper outing, and was purchased by Deva Racing’s Ryan Tongue and Dr Newland at the Goffs UK Spring Horses-In-Training Sale a fortnight later.
Fourth on hurdling debut at Uttoxeter in July of last year, Shengai Enki then finished placed in four consecutive starts, displaying his versatility with regards to trip and ground, before deservedly earning his first career win in a 2m7½f handicap hurdle at Uttoxeter on the 4th of May this year.
Prominently ridden by Champion Amateur Alex Chadwick, he forged clear from two out to win by five lengths. Champion Jockey Harry Cobden took the reins just under a month later for the follow-up bid, back down to 2m and into novice company again at Worcester, and Shengai Enki duly delivered the goods once more, recovering from being hampered at the first to win by four and a half lengths.
He was possibly feeling the effects of a busy schedule when fourth at Hexham two weeks later, but that was still another pleasing performance over a trip that might turn out to be short of his best.
Shengai Enki has been given a short break since and can win plenty more races later in the summer and during the core months of the NH season, with his current rating of 115 surely underestimating his true ability. He is one to look forward to.