Enable – champion racehorse returns for third consecutive Arc

The Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe is less than a month away for punters now. There is a feeling that racegoers are about to witness history in France as the irresistible Enable wins the Group 1 race for the third straight year. The star of Enable has been taken to greater heights this season, but the best achievement could be on the horizon for the world’s best horse. A victory in France would mark the first time that a horse has ever won the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe three consecutive times. It would be a fitting end to a majestic career.

Connoisseurs of world racing have been blessed recently with champions that have captured the hearts of racing fans across the globe. Australia witnessed Black Caviar (2016) roar through 25 undefeated races (15 G1’s). Not long after, the great mare Winx sailed past the winning sequence record, registering 33 consecutive victories including 25 at Group 1 level (a world record). Emotional farewells were afforded both champion mares, which no doubt will be repeated when the final curtain falls on Enable’s stellar racing career.

Enable’s debut success

Like many of John Gosden’s stars, Enable first took to a racetrack in Newcastle on the 28th November 2016. The all-weather surface has been the choice for Gosden to find out how good his horses really are. Enable set off as joint-favourite on that day in the north. She quickly proved that she was one to keep an eye on.

She won by three and three-quarter lengths from Gallifrey under the stewardship of Robert Havlin. However, it wasn’t all plain sailing for Enable. She and Gosden came crashing down to earth. In April 2017, she finished third at Newbury; beaten by two and three-quarter lengths by Shutter Speed. 

Regardless, the losing feeling wouldn’t become something that she would feel again in her career. Instead, the relationship between horse and jockey catapulting her to a new level.

Enable’s winning run

Enable appeared at Chester in early May 2017. All eyes were on the heavily-fancied Alluringly for the listed race of the afternoon. However, led by Frankie Dettori, Enable romped home by one and three-quarter lengths. Racegoers realised that Gosden’s horse was a once-in-a-generation athlete with victory at Epsom in June. Her love affection with online sportsbook bettors began on that afternoon.

Word quickly spread that Enable was a star in the making and her races become unmissable. However, her best performance of 2017 was still to come. After winning at Curragh, Ascot and York, she travelled to France for what would be her first success in the l’Arc de Triomphe. 

She came into the race in excellent form having won her last four Group 1 races. Enable wasn’t in the mood to disappoint in France. Set off as favourite, she bolted past her rivals to win by over two lengths from her nearest challenger. The Arc was her fifth straight Group 1 win. Over five races, she won by a total distance of 22.5 lengths. Enable was proving that she wasn’t just a horse of a generation; she was the horse of a lifetime.

Enable’s epic 2017 season

The 2017 season was the greatest of Enable’s stellar career. She since hasn’t run as many races in a season as that excellent 2017 campaign. She was unfortunately, plagued with injury through the following season. Speculation that she would have her career cut short was rife. However, in true champion style, she came roaring back to form in the September Stakes. 

As she appeared almost back to her best, the world’s eyes quickly turned to the 2018 Arc. It was not her typical superb performance in France. However, her champion qualities came to the fore. She held off the late challenge of Sea of Class to join the elite company of multiple Arc winners. Her season didn’t end there. Enable travelled to the Breeders Cup turf at Churchill Downs. In a thrilling finish, she saw off Magical by three-quarters of a length. Punters feared that would be the last we saw of her, but she returned in 2019 as a five-year-old.

Farewell season beckons for Enable

Enable may not be at her best in this current season, however her grit and determination has seen her win three straight Group 1 races; at Sandown, Ascot and York. Last time out at York she looked back to her best, holding off Magical to win by over two lengths. On this form, it seems there is no stopping Enable in ending her career with one final piece of history.

Written by Alex Dudley. Edited by the Mayor, Thoroughbred Village.

Tags: enable, horse racing, international, Winx

Category: Horse Racing