France Galop welcomes 'fantastic news' as another Arc comes into view for Enable

News that Enable will be kept in training with the 2020 Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe as her principal aim has been welcomed in France, where her following remains untarnished despite her defeat to Waldgeist in this year's race.

France Galop director general Olivier Delloye described the announcement as "fantastic news", while Pierre-Charles Boudot, the man who steered Waldgeist to victory, also spoke positively about her return next season.

Speaking on the Equidia racing channel, Boudot said: "It was no doubt a difficult choice, but it is exciting for everyone in the world of racing and for all those who follow her. Why not try for a third Arc at the end of next year?"

Across French racing media, Paris-Turf retweeted a post from Frankie Dettori with the words "Frankie is happy and we are as well," while Jour de Galop's flash headline read simply "She stays".

France Galop went all out to build up excitement for Enable's hat-trick bid this year and news that the Arc will be "an important target" for Enable at the end of her 2020 campaign was met with understandable excitement.

"It's fantastic news for every fan of racing as well as those charged with promoting the sport," Delloye said. "The difficulty is that we don't often have such well-known stars that last, so to have a horse like her that can run at the top level at the age of six is as rare as it is exciting."

Beaten but unbowed: Enable and Frankie Dettori finish second to Waldgeist at LongchampCredit: Edward Whitaker

Reflecting on Enable's defeat to Waldgeist earlier this month, Delloye added: "90 per cent of the crowd expected her to win and for many of them there is definitely something to look forward to with the news that she could attempt a third Arc next season; she is certainly capable of doing so on what she has achieved this year.

"It's great to go into 2020 with that to look forward to, albeit each run could have a bearing on her future and her presence in the Arc at the end of the year can't be taken for granted. Nevertheless it's very exciting."

Enable's first two Arc successes in 2017 and 2018 coincided with Europe's richest race being named the Longines World's Best Horse Race by international handicappers, and the 2019 edition looks to be in pole position to gain similar recognition when the winner is announced in January.

More history to be made

Enable is one of only eight horses to win two Arcs, with all but one having achieved the feat in successive years.

Could two yet become three? Enable on her way to a second Arc success in 2018Credit: Edward Whitaker

In 1930 Motorico landed a first success in the race at the age of six, earning him a place at stud, although he was not initially a success and was put back into training for the 1932 season, at the end of which he was once again the victor at Longchamp.

Victory in 2020 would therefore not only put Enable out on her own as a triple Arc winner, but would make her the first multiple winner to win back her crown having been defeated in between.

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