The John Gosden-trained Enable (GB) (Nathaniel {Ire}) was less visually impressive than at Chantilly 12 months ago, but she did enough to defeat Sea of Class (Ire) (Sea the Stars {Ire}) in Sunday's G1 Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe.
At the line, there was a short neck between the Newmarket trained fillies, with last year’s runner-up Cloth of Stars (Ire) (Sea the Stars {Ire}) 3/4 of a length back in third.
“She was not at her best today and this is entirely down to her and a lovely ride from Frankie on his 30th ride in the Arc,” John Gosden said.
“She was not at her best today and this is entirely down to her and a lovely ride from Frankie on his 30th ride in the Arc." John Gosden
"She got herself back today with her natural determination, but she was not at full fitness and this is very much down to her mind and ability. She’s a wonderful filly and the ground was a bit slick and greasy–I had wanted more rain," added Gosden.
"It became a question of grit and durability and Frankie said in the last 100 metres he was in trouble but he gets himself up for these occasions and elevates himself to ride at a level nobody else can."
Frankie Dettori has now won six renewals of the prestigious race.
Juddmonte's Teddy Grimthorpe was also keen to pay tribute to Enable and Gosden.
"The beauty of her is that she loves her racing and loves winning and no-one should underestimate the skills of John Gosden. He has done a great job and shown great patience and understanding to bring her here today," Grimthorpe said after the race.
"Now we have some decisions to make as to her next race and next year, but we’ll how she comes out of this in the next week or so. Being a fresh filly, with just two races under her belt this year, she could possibly run again and the [Nov. 3 GI Breeders’ Cup Turf] is one of the options.”
Enable becomes the first British-trained dual Arc winner
