Eternal Pearl sparkles again in G3 Prix Minerve

Eternal Pearl maintained her upward curve with a first G3 success in the Prix Minerve over an extended 12 furlongs at Deauville, France, on Sunday, 14 August.

The Frankel filly, stepping up in class for Charlie Appleby following victories in an all-weather novice contest and a Newmarket Listed race, was short of room leaving the stalls and raced at the rear of the nine runners.

Eternal Pearl crept up the inside rail to dispute third with six furlongs to race and showed tenacity to quicken between rivals a furlong and a half from home. She hit the front soon after and galloped out strongly under William Buick to beat Queen Trezy by two lengths.

Charlie Appleby said: “Eternal Pearl brought a lovely profile into the middle-distance fillies’ division. She beat older opposition at Newmarket and we felt that she had progressed since. I feel that there is going to be further progression – she is a big, scopey filly and time is only going to benefit her.

“William liked the way she quickened up the straight and showed gears. We will definitely look at something like the G1 Prix Vermeille for her and go from there.”