Like mother, like son? Entrust has an awfully long way to go to achieve the improbable and match his outstanding dam, but he emulated her start with a winning debut at Doncaster Racecourse.
It was nearly 10 years ago that dual Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (G1) winner Enable launched a career that ended with a haul of 11 group 1 victories by scoring first time out at Newcastle Racecourse.
About 125 miles south on the A1, her first foal to reach the racecourse made his own triumphant start in the same Juddmonte colors, in a class 3 novice, and earned a quote of 20-1 (from 25-1) for next year's Epsom Derby (G1) from Paddy Power.
The John and Thady Gosden-trained Entrust traveled strongly from a long way out under Colin Keane, who did not need to get too serious in the saddle for him to assert by 2 3/4 lengths.
"It was nice to kick it off that way," the jockey said. "John and Thady liked him at home, but their colts have been taking a run and coming forward. He was a little bit slow out but, after the first furlong or two, he switched off and traveled through the race nicely and quickened well when I asked him.
"We followed the right one and he brought us a long way. Entrust feels like a horse with a lot of raw ability, he feels very green. He was trying to go while having a good look at the same time, so I can only imagine there is any amount of improvement.
"He's a very good-moving horse and I'd imagine nicer ground would suit him. He feels like a nice horse. He's bred to be a nice horse, and he has the first box ticked."
Thady Gosden also believes there is more to come from the son of Dubawi and said: "He's still green and babyish and learning the whole time. It's quite an intimidating track to come to first time out, but he handled it very well.
"He's taken his time, his mother didn't come out until late in the year as a 2-year-old, but he's taken everything he's been asked to do very well.
"The likelihood is we'll put him away for next year. He'll do well for a bit more experience, probably a novice in the spring with a penalty, and then go from there."
Asked if the winner has any obvious similarities to Enable, Gosden said: "She was a wonderful filly and racemare.
"She had a fantastic attitude throughout her career, she loved her training and her racing, and he very much enjoys his work, too. He shows a great approach to it all, as we saw today."
