Superstar filly Enable is gearing up for another campaign this time as a five year old and connections are pleased with how she has wintered and are eagerly awaiting her return to the track in the summer.
The dual Arc winner last season had to go through a suppered preparation process in the run up to her landing her second and consecutive Prix de L'Arc de Triomphe, whilst also going on after that to be the first British horse to win that race in France and also the Grade 1 Breeders Cup Turf in the same season.
Enable has been targeted again this season at the Group 1 race in Paris where she will bid to become the first horse to win it three years in a row.
She is only the eighth horse to win it two years in a row but after her owner Prince Khalid Abdullah revealed she would stay in training, in a bid for a third straight win in the race, the racing world did not know how to react.
Abdullah’s racing manager Teddy Grimthorpe reported Enable had returned to light exercise, and is understandably excited about the year ahead and what the future holds for one the sports greats.
(Credit At The Races) He said:
“She is in good form. She is not doing much at the moment. John says she is very happy. We will get on the move in February/March.
“We’ve discussed things many times and there is no real plan apart from the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe – that is the main objective.
“Two things will determine how she gets there – one being her well-being and the second is John Gosden’s pleasure.
“So far it is all good.”
There was no confirmation by Grimthorpe as to what Enable's first race back would be or what other races would be targeted throughout the season but it does look like the Juddmonte International in August is on the agenda for the superstar.
He added: I don’t want to nail down a race now, but obviously the top 10-furlong and a mile-and-a-half races will be considered.
“I think it (Juddmonte) is an important race for Prince Khalid and he likes to win his races if he can. We will have to see – it would be on the horizon.”
As said, the Breeders Cup and Arc performance of last year will stay in the sports memory for years to come but when speaking with connections it is hard for it not to become the topic of conversation.
“The Breeders’ Cup (Turf) win was very emotional because of the setback she had in the spring," Said Grimthorpe.
“Coming away from the Arc and winning at Churchill Downs was very special.”