Encke (horse)

Encke
Encke on 14 September 2014 for the Irish St. Leger
Sire	Kingmambo
Grandsire	Mr. Prospector
Dam	Shawanda
Damsire	Sinndar
Sex	Stallion
Foaled	24 February 2009
Country	United Kingdom
Colour	Brown
Breeder	Darley Stud
Owner	Godolphin Racing
Trainer	Mahmood Al Zarooni Charlie Appleby
Record	9:3–3–3
Earnings	£397,830
Major wins
St Leger Stakes (2012)

Encke (24 February 2009 – 14 October 2014) was an American-bred, British-trained Thoroughbred racehorse, best known for winning the classic St Leger Stakes at Doncaster Racecourse on 15 September 2012 when he defeated the Triple Crown bid of Camelot. In spring of 2013 Encke was banned from racing after failing a drug test. He returned to racing in 2014 and was placed in three races including the Irish St Leger. He sustained a fatal injury in training in October 2014.

Encke, named after Encke's Comet, was a bay horse with a narrow white stripe bred in Kentucky by the Darley Stud. He was sired by Kingmambo, whose other progeny include the British Classic winners Russian Rhythm, King's Best, Henrythenavigator Virginia Waters and Rule of Law as well as major winners in Japan (El Condor Pasa), France (Divine Proportions) and the United States (Lemon Drop Kid). Encke was the second foal of his dam, Shawanda, a top class racemare who won the Irish Oaks and the Prix Vermeille for her owner the Aga Khan in 2005. At the end of her racing career she was bought by Sheikh Mohammed to become a broodmare for his Darley Stud. Her first foal was Encke's full brother Genius Beast, who won the Sandown Classic Trial in 2011. Encke raced in the colours of the Maktoum family's Godolphin Racing organisation and was trained by Mahmood Al Zarooni.