Enable primed for Eclipse
Sovereign’s shock 33-1 success in the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby at the Curragh on Saturday may have denied stablemate Anthony Van Dyck a second Classic success, but the Epsom Derby winner’s second place earned him enough points to climb to the top of the Three-yearold Colt category.
Sovereign, who is also owned by a Coolmore partnership, emulated his sire Galileo, who won the Irish Derby in 1999. Many observers felt Saturday’s result was a fluke, Sovereign having been afforded an easy lead, but he could just be an improving colt who expended too much energy as a pacemaker when 10th at Epsom. He turned around that form by more than 15 lengths.
Attention this weekend will be centred on the return to action of dual Prix de l’arc de Triomphe winner Enable, who heads to Sandown Park for the Coral-eclipse Stakes.
Enable, Cartier’s Horse of the Year in 2017, is reported in rude health by trainer John Gosden and this brilliant mare will be attempting to extend her unbeaten run to 10 races. In fact, she has been beaten only once in her 11 starts and has amassed seven Group One victories.
This season’s leader in the Older Horse category, Magical, is a probable Eclipse runner. She was beaten only ¾ length by Enable in the Breeders’ Cup Turf at Churchill Downs last November and seems a worthy rival. Ballydoyle also plan to run Circus Maximus, another unable to show his best form in the Derby at Epsom. He proved he is a high-class colt when subsequently winning the St James’s Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot. Saturday’s race is sure to play a significant role in this year’s Cartier awards.
There is also high-class action at Deauville on Sunday, when the Qatar Prix Jean Prat will be run.