#ArcRoad : Enable impresses in epic King George

She is blessed with exceptional class. She also proved that she is endowed with exceptional willpower. Enable (Nathaniel) had to dig deep in order to take a second successive win in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes (Gr1) at the Ascot on Saturday 27^th July. Frankie Dettori decided to make his move onboard Enable coming out of the final bend – intent on catching Crystal Ocean (Sea The Stars) on the hop. The two champions subsequently became embroiled in a titanic duel which went to the wire. At the end of the day, Enable was victorious by a neck, having only felt the whip on one occasion.

A very emotional win. Her jockey Frankie Dettori said in the aftermath: « Emotionally, I’m exhausted. It’s a sensational win. She is very good but also very brave. Enable is incredible! We witnessed a great horse race. What hasn’t she won? Her will to win is so strong. We’re still on track for ParisLongchamp [Arc de Triomphe}. She’s an incredible mare in every sense of the word. She has given me emotion that no other horse has ever given me in my life. The bond between us is so strong. »

A dream racemare. John Gosden, the winning trainer, has outlined York as a potential next step for Enable – prior to her third attempt at the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (Gr1). He said: « She is the type of horse that we all dream of having in the yard. Her attitude is simply remarkable. We witnessed an epic duel with Crystal Ocean. That’s what we wanted to see. He laid down the gauntlet as the challenger and she fought back. They are two remarkable athletes and were the dominant forces in a very high-quality edition of the King George. We are going to leave her alone for the next ten days before outlining her next objective. The York project is at the back of our mind although it isn’t set in stone, the timing of the race is certainly right – coming as it does six weeks before the Arc. I’m so lucky to be able to train such a horse. She is very much the people’s horse at this moment in time. However, Prince Khalid deserves all the credit. Enable is his big success [story]. He bred her and had the courage to keep her in training as a five-year-old. »

Nine Group 1 wins on her CV. To date, Enable has won 12 of her 13 career starts. The only blemish on her record came on her seasonal debut as a three-year-old, when third in a conditions race at Newbury. She numbers ten Group successes, nine of which have been registered at Gr1 level. Her wins at the highest level are as follows:

• Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (twice)
• Breeders’ Cup Turf
• King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes (twice)
• Epsom Oaks
• Irish Oaks
• Yorkshire Oaks
• Eclipse Stakes