Enable unable to figure as Sottsass claims victory
ENABLE could only finish sixth as Sottsass led home a clean sweep for French-trained runners in yesterday’s Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe.
Third in the race 12 months ago, trainer Jean-Claude Rouget had stated that only one day mattered for the four-year-old this year and he proved trained to perfection.
For John Gosden’s Enable, chasing history with a third victory in the race, she was bogged down in the heavy ground and suffered interference when the pace quickened.
In contrast, Sottsass picked up smartly and stayed on well to beat In Swoop, with Persian King hanging on for third having made all the running, just ahead of Gold Trip. Enable’s Ascot Gold Cup-winning stablemate Stradivarius was seventh.
As a result of the interference, a stewards’ inquiry was called – but following a short deliberation, the placings remained unaltered.
While Enable did not manage to win a third Arc, she will still go down in history as one of the greatest racemares to have graced the sport.
As well as her two wins in the Arc, she won the King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot three times, the English and Irish Oaks and at the Breeders’ Cup.
No decision will be made just yet over whether Enable has run for the final time in her exalted career.
Sottsass won the French Derby last season, but had failed to set the world alight this year.
However, Rouget had been making increasingly confident noises in recent days and his colt had been well-backed.
He said: “Just after the race last year we thought he was a horse made for this race.
“We had a good draw and our horse stays the distance. John Gosden is a good trainer and if I was beaten I wanted it to be by Enable because she is a super filly, but there is only one winner in the race.”
He added: “Sottsass is owned in association with Coolmore. I do not know if he will run again, but it is not the question for today. Whether the horse retires is not my decision.”