Enable joins Arc legends
ENABLE joined the giants of the turf yseterday when becoming only the eighth horse to win the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe twice.
James Doyle arrived late to snatch second place on Sea Of Class, failing by a short-neck to catch Frankie Dettori’s mount, with Cloth Of Stars taking third.
Dettori, who was winning France’s most valuabe for the sixth time, said: “I was having my 30th ride in the race, and I have never been so nervous going out to ride her today. I had the world behind me, everyone wanting her to win, so really you do feel the pressure. You just have to get it right.
“I was not riding a 10-1 shot, she was a hot favourite. It would be very naive to say I was not nervous. But It all came good and let’s hope she can come back and do it again next year!”
John Gosden, who was winning the race for the third time, clearly knows what is required from both a horse and jockey to take the prize.
“It was great that Frankie did not have a ride earlier in the day,” said Gosden. “I knew he was nervous, and he was bouncing off the walls, eager to get on with it. For an old veteran it was a great ride. We walked the course together and had a plan it worked out.
“I will have to speak to Prince Khalid (Abdullah) about her running again this season and about her staying in training next year.”
Gosden had his patience tested getting the four-year-old ready after a lack of match practice.
“Following her injury earlier in the year, it was a nightmare getting her ready,” he said. “It was not ideal coming here with just one run under her belt. I felt she was only 85 per cent fit, but her class got her through.”
Doyle, took defeat on the chin and with a smile, said: “She did everything I asked and in another three strides we would have won. It was always going to be hard from that draw.
“I hope we can come back and win it next year!”