As the year of 2018 draws to a close, here at The Winners Enclosure, we are handing out our a very own specialist awards, recognising the achievements of some of racing's best performers of the season.
Our first award, is the Flat Horse Of The Year, and this is going to be awarded to the horse we think has proved a class apart on the flat scene this calendar year. There were many contenders, with the likes of Cracksman, after his dominant display in the Champion Stakes, as well as Alpha Centauri, who has dominated the 3yo fillies division this campaign. After much thought, much analysis and evaluation, we have selected none-other than John Gosden's dual-Arc sensation, ENABLE.
She really is something else. We did have to wait till September to see her for the first time as a 4yo, but her win in the September Stakes at Kempton regathered her match fitness and sharpness, in time for her second stab at the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, going on to successively defending her crown. She did not look her best, but she still managed to get the job done, conceding weight to the eventual second; Sea Of Class. Her fans - which included her trainer and jockey (Frankie Dettori) wanted more, and owner Prince Khalid Abdullah accepted the pleads for her to go to the States, to fight out the Breeders Cup Turf.
She looked even more impressive than her victory at Paris Longchamp, when fending off a much fitter Magical - trained by Aiden O'Brien, with the two drawing well clear of the rest of the field. In an injury hit season, she still managed to prevail on her three racecourse starts this year, and everyone has since been given a boost, with the news from Racing Manager Teddy Grimpthorpe, that she will stay in training as a 5yo, with one prime target - a shot at becoming the first horse to win the French highlight three times.
This year, she wins the TWE Horse Of The Year award, for her guts, her determination and her willpower, to return to the racecourse setting after such a long battle with injury, and return to the top bracket of racing.
Congratulations to John Gosden, Frankie Dettori, and Prince Khaled Abdullah.
(Credit At The Races)