What a marvellous weekend of racing, capped off by the sheer brilliance of one of the best fillies of a generation – Enable. She landed her second Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe in the hands of Frankie Dettori who won his sixth prize on his 30th start in the iconic race. Enable joins a list of seven other horses who are dual winners of the French highlight, and more can be expected of her yet.
After an injury hit campaign, she returned to the scene at Kempton last month in the September Stakes, and as John Gosden confirmed – any horse to win an Arc after one preparation run, which was on an artificial surface, must be something remarkably special.
She looked to have the race won when the Italian hit the button and immediately went two lengths clear, but her lack of fitness showed in the final few strides as William Haggas trained Sea of Class was flying at her towards the line. Enable’s bravery and determination just about got her home, but take nothing away from the second.
A daughter of Sea The Stars – who won the Arc back in 2009, Sea of Class was held up as usual by James Doyle, and after overcoming a tough draw, found a gap two out, and flew at the eventual winner. Who knows; a better draw, or even a couple more strides and the Yorkshire Oaks winner of 2018 may have been crowned an Arc winner.
However, connections of Sea of Class must be overwhelmed the run their 3yo gave them, and with all being well, she will be back next year for another crack at the French highlight. She could potentially come against Enable once more, should she go for a hat-trick of wins.
Enable meanwhile, could close her season in the States at the Breeders Cup meeting next month. Cloth of Stars ran another mighty race in an Arc by finishing third – another offspring from Sea The Stars, with Waldgeist and Capri completing the places.
Also on the day, there was plenty of other group one action. The day began with the Qatar Prix Marcel Boussac, and Lily’s Candle who was bought the day before for a hefty figure, began to repay her connections back with this prize for 2yo fillies. Leading French fancy Rocques disappointed back in sixth.
The French were also dealt with a blow in the Qatar Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere when 4/5f Anodor was turned over by Saeed bin Suroor trained Royal Marine – who bolted up at the St Leger festival at Doncaster last time out. It also handed yet another Group 1 success for Oisin Murphy, who has been in scintillating form this year.
Wild Illusion landed the Prix de l’Opera for Charlie Appleby and William Buick, whilst Mabs Cross claimed a deserved victory in the Prix de l’Abbaye having been touched off on the line by Alpha Delphini in the Nunthorpe back in August.
Finally, William Haggas claimed some much needed retribution to boost morale with One Master, who landed the Qatar Prix de la Foret, which closed a phenomenal weekend’s racing in Paris. Up next, the Dewhurst meeting at Newmarket, before Champions Day closes the season at Ascot.
(Credit Racing UK)