PartialLogo
News

No decision yet on Enable's immediate future with another run not ruled out

The sun might not have set just yet on Enable after her Arc defeat
The sun might not have set just yet on Enable's racing days after her Arc defeatCredit: Edward Whitaker

A decision on whether Enable will race again has yet to be made but the door was left ajar for the wondermare to continue on Monday morning following her agonising defeat in Sunday's Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe.

Seeking an unprecedented third win in Europe's premier Flat race, Enable was denied a famous victory when finishing second after being outstayed by Waldgeist on very soft ground at Longchamp.


Should Enable race again? Vote now on our Twitter poll


In the aftermath of the race, attention quickly turned to whether the ten-time Group 1 winner would now be retired, with the decision resting with owner Khalid Abdullah.

Speaking on BBC Radio 4's Today programme on Monday morning, Abdullah's racing manager Teddy Grimthorpe said: "It's entirely his [Khalid Abdullah] decision. I think one of the great things about owning thoroughbreds is you can make these choices.

"The first thing is we have to get her back and she's coming back this morning. And of course, the feedback from John Gosden and his team will be vital in anything like this.

"I think in everybody's mind it's getting towards the end, whether she has one more race or whether she races next year is conjecture and speculation.

"She's had a wonderful career and there always comes a time when you have to say enough is enough. But I think if she's in good enough shape then Prince Khalid will have that option of continuing or not."

Enable has two entries on Qipco British Champions Day at Ascot – in the Fillies & Mares Stakes and Champion Stakes – but that comes up very quickly, on Saturday week, and a return to the US to defend her Breeders' Cup Turf crown, with potentially the chance to gain revenge on Waldgeist, on November 2 is perhaps the more viable option.

ITV screened Enable's heartbreaking loss on its main channel and 940,000 people tuned in for the epic – a figure up from 911,000 last year.

The broadcaster's average also rose, increasing 24 per cent at 558,000, while 6.6 per cent of people watching television were glued to the action – a rise from 5.3 per cent last year.

Ed Chamberlin, ITV Racing's lead anchor, said: "We were determined to add in coverage of the Arc to our schedule and bring the race to as wide an audience as possible.

"We were delighted almost a million people tuned in to watch Enable attempt the treble, and although it was gutting for everyone that she was beaten, it was a momentous day for racing."


Did you know you can bet via the Racing Post mobile app/website? Simply sign in with your favourite bookmaker via the Accounts button and then bet direct from our racecards


Andrew DietzReporter

Published on 7 October 2019inNews

Last updated 15:55, 7 October 2019

iconCopy