Her dam Carefully Hidden was a descendant of the influential American broodmare Iltis (foaled in 1947), the female-line ancestor of In Reality, Diamond Shoal, Glint of Gold and Tank's Prospect.
Starting the 3/1 second favourite in a twenty-five runner field she took the lead two furlongs from the finish and won by three quarters of a length from the Michael Stoute-trained Dance Festival.
[5] On 18 April 1989 Ensconse began her second season by contesting the Nell Gwyn Stakes (a major trial for the 1000 Guineas) over seven furlongs at Newmarket Racecourse and started the 2/1 joint favourite alongside Mythyaar.
[6] In the 176th running of the 1000 Guineas over the Rowley Mile at Newmarket on 4 May, Ensconse started the 7/4 favourite ahead of Musical Bliss and Pass the Peace in a seven-runner field.
Ridden by Pat Eddery she was hampered at half way and dropped back to last place before staying on in the straight to finish sixth of the fourteen runners behind Lady In Silver.