John Gosden left the sentiment to Frankie Dettori here on Saturday after Enable’s win in the September Stakes, despite knowing he will probably never see her race in the flesh again.
“The way the rules are right now [with a 14-day isolation for returning travellers], there’s no way I’ll be able to [be in Paris on 4 October],” Gosden said. “But you don’t want to get emotional about it, because we’ve got to build up to an Arc. We’ll have a drink after. One of sorrow or one of joy, we’ll see.”
York 1.00 Mamba Wamba 1.30 Kingbrook (nb) 2.00 Starman (nap) 2.30 Athers 3.05 Frankenstella 3.40 Boma Green 4.10 Firlinfeu
Fontwell Park 1.10 Courtandbould 1.40 Pagero 2.10 Joly Maker 2.45 Orchestral Rain 3.20 Frau Georgia 3.50 Easyrun De Vassy 4.20 Rainbow Storm
Musselburgh 1.50 Candescence 2.20 Made For All 2.55 The Defiant 3.30 Primo’s Comet 4.00 Hillgrove Angel 4.30 Barney Bullet 5.00 Lagenda 5.30 Elixsoft
This was the easiest win of Enable’s career, by seven lengths at odds of 1-14, four weeks before what promises to be her greatest challenge when she attempts to win the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe for an unprecedented third time. And facile though it was, Saturday’s race was an important means to an end.
“This way, I’ve been able to build her up without cranking,” Gosden said. “She was happy and enjoying herself and she’s had a nice day out.
It’s like climbing one mountain and the next one is higher. It’s mission accomplished, and I can stay at home and build her up on the gallops she knows, so me and her are in more of a comfort zone.
🏇 18 starts
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) September 5, 2020
🥇 15 wins
🏆 11 Group 1s
⭐ One very special mare
The brilliant Enable coasts home on her likely British swansong under @FrankieDettori. Good luck in France! @kemptonparkrace @JuddmonteFarms pic.twitter.com/Kwj1kWIlU8
“She’d let down virtually into a broodmare over the winter. For her to come back into training [this year] was like a boxer who’s been off a long time, it’s not easy. [The Arc] was a whole lot easier at three, but it’s tougher the older she gets. You’re carrying weight and getting new kids on the block all the time. But as long as she’s fine over the next 10 days, it’s game on.”
Enable is second-favourite for the Arc at a top price of 11-4, within a point of Love, this year’s 1,000 Guineas and Oaks winner, who heads the market on 2-1. Ghaiyyath, who beat Enable in the Eclipse Stakes at Sandown in July, is next in at 10-1, while the outstanding stayerStradivarius, another resident of Gosden’s Newmarket stable, is 14-1.
“I want her to be remembered as one of the greatest we’ve had,” Dettori said. “She just floats like a hovercraft, she’s incredible, and she’s like a boxer going into the ring. She knows. The gloves are on and her veins are sticking out, she grinds her teeth and she wants it. She’s six, I can’t believe she’s still got that zest.
“I’m not saying she’s going to win the Arc, but we can still dream. It’s going to be tough, Love is going to serve it up to Enable and it won’t be a walkover, the Arc never is. But we’re in the mix.”
