Godolphin close but Enable wins Arc
DUBAI-BASED STABLES SCORE BIG RACE DOUBLE AT LONGCHAMP’S SHOWPIECE MEETING
Enable became only the eighth horse in history to complete the Prix de l’Arc De Triomphe (Group 1) double as Godolphin’s Cloth Of Stars ran a huge race to finish third at Longchamp, France, on yesterday.
The first running of the great race at the redeveloped racecourse was always expected to serve up something special given the depth and quality of the 19-horse field.
And it did not disappoint as Enable, the mount of Frankie Dettori, dug deep into her reserves to deny the late swooping Sea Of Class, given a big ride by Godolphin jockey, James Doyle, by a neck.
Cloth Of Stars, trained by leading Arc-winning handler, Andre Fabre, also finished strongly under Vincent Cheminaud for third, three quarters of a length behind the front pair.
However, Godolphin were not denied their share of the Arc spotlight as they claimed a pair of Group 1 victories with Royal Marine and Wild Illusion.
Trained by Saeed Bin Surour Royal Marine snatched the Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere (G1) in a tight finish.
Later on the card Godolphin secured a second winner as Wild Illusion and William Buick won the Prix de l’Opera Longines (G1) for Charlie Appleby.
Ridden by the exciting and in-form Irish talent, Oisin Murphy, Royal Marine was continuing an epic season for Godolphin which has seen them enjoy the highest success around the world.
The Prix Jean-Luc Lagardère is France’s oldest and most prestigious event for juvenile horses. It is the country’s equal richest race for the age group, along with the Prix Morny. Both races boast a purse of €400,000.
Breeders’ Cup beckons
The race is part of the Breeders’ Cup Challenge series with winner earning an automatic invitation to compete in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf (G1).
The Lagardere was Murphy’s eighth Group 1 winner of the year in the Godolphin blue, just as his first of 2018 was on Benbatl in the $6 million Dubai Turf at Meydan.
Bin Surour, who was celebrating his first juvenile Group 1 success since Thunder Snow in the Criterium International in 2016, said: “He’s a big strong horse who works well at home. He showed some class there and travelled well the whole way. We will take him to Dubai now and he could start off there next season. He could be anything.”
Bin Suroor was also full of praise with Murphy, who has long believed has the potential to become one of the best in the world.
“Oisin is a brilliant jockey,” he said. “He’s a jockey for the ■ future. He’s a champion jockey for the future. He’s always so relaxed and very nice on the horses. He shows his class.”
Murphy, who judged the race to perfection, added: “He’s a very nice horse and you have to remember he has had only three runs in his life,” said Murphy. “He didn’t do an awful lot in front. I’d be hopeful there’s more to come. I think he’s a miler.” ■
A daughter of Dubawi, Wild Illusion won the Prix Marcel Boussac on Arc day last season.
Winning jockey Buick said: “She’s a filly that’s always liked a bit of cut in the ground, so I was pleased to see the rain come.
“She’s been a great filly to ride at the top level throughout the season and I was delighted with the way she buckled down at the finish.”
horses have won the Arc twice in its long history