Enable’s missing York for Kempton
CONNECTIONS have nominated a number of factors which will see Enable have her prep for the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe at Kempton rather than York.
It was thought that the triple King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes winner would head north for her British swansong before her bid for an historic third Arc.
The Yorkshire Oaks, a race she has won twice before, was her most likely destination and a clash with Aidan O’Brien’s exciting three-yearold Love.
Enable also had the option of the Juddmonte International over 10 furlongs – but that would have seen her come up against Charlie Appleby’s Ghaiyyath, who in the Eclipse earlier this season inflicted the six-year-old mare’s first defeat on English soil since April 2017.
‘The Kempton race (September Stakes) worked well a couple of years ago,’ said Teddy Grimthorpe, owner Khalid Abdullah’s racing manager.
‘Obviously the temptation of York was quite a serious one, but we’ve always made it perfectly clear that the Arc is her main objective.
‘Whoever turns up in the Yorkshire Oaks, you are going to have a tough race – it’s a Group One.
‘Coupled with that, she’s won an Arc off the September Stakes – so that is a positive, and really we are just trying to give her every chance to get to the Arc in the best shape.’
As well as being a racing manager, Grimthorpe is chairman of the York race committee – but he insists the two roles never clash.
‘My job with Prince Khalid overrules everything – and along with (trainer) John (Gosden), we have to advise Prince Khalid what we think is best for his horses.
‘It’s sad for York – but it’s even sadder that, if she had gone, there would be very few people there.
‘My role with York doesn’t come into it. The main thing is to do what is best by the horse.’
Grimthorpe released a statement which read: ‘Prince Khalid has decided Enable’s next start will be the September Stakes Group Three at Kempton on September 5. The Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe Group One remains her main objective.’