Frankie Dettori secures record fifth Arc success with Enable
John Gosden's filly, who could be set to stay in training next year, powered to an emphatic two-and-a-half length win in the Qatar Arc De Triomphe.
FIVE-STAR Frankie Dettori stormed to Qatar Arc De Triomphe glory on brilliant Enable.
It was a record fifth win in Europe’s greatest Flat race for the flamboyant Italian and it could hardly have been achieved in better style.
Despite pulling in the early stages after taking up a prominent position, superstar filly Enable was still able to burst clear two furlongs from home to seal the prize.
It was a fitting end to a sensational season for John Gosden’s ace.
Racing in the famous Frankel colours of owner-breeder Khalid Abdullah, she arrived at Chantilly a red-hot 10-11 favourite after wins in the Oaks, Irish Oaks, King George and Yorkshire Oaks.
The two-and-a-half length winning distance from Cloth Of Stars and Ulysses was the least of her five Group 1 wins but there’s little doubt it was her crowning glory.
She must now be considered one of the middle-distance greats but her story may well have more pages to turn.
Gosden revealed he would be keen to for Enable to race on next year to try to emulate dual Arc-winning filly Treve.
On hearing the news Dettori cried: “Yes please, yes please.”
He added: “She’ a superstar – an absolute freak.
“She won like I expected. I said to John last week ‘she’s the best she’s ever been.’
“He’s a genius - to keep this filly at 100 percent all year is fantastic.
“I had position A, I knew she had no weight and that she stays so I kicked. She gave it to me and we put four lengths between us and the field. The race was over.”
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“It was a very clever ride. She was well positioned by Frankie in order to show her sheer class and brilliance – he’s pretty good for an old jock. But it’s all about the filly.
“She had shown us at home that she was right in the zone. She gave us every sign she was ready to run a race like that.
“I think it would be wrong to run her again this year. She’s only really raced for ten months in her life so therefore I would point out, if she’s in great form, we should consider next year.
“It’s Prince Khalid’s decision but there would be every reason to keep her in training as a four-year-old.
“It would be wonderful to go to the new Longchamp to try to win the Arc on two different tracks.”
Paddy Power went 3-1 to win a second Arc but Sun Bets gave punters a taster tempter offering 5-1 for the double.