'She raised the roof' - how awesome Enable won the King George in 2017 and 2019

With a historic third King George win in sight, Richard Birch revisits how Enable achieved her other two victories in the Ascot Group 1.

2017

Fresh from wide-margin Oaks wins at Epsom and the Curragh, Enable took her form to another level by annihilating older horses for the first time.

Well away, she sat second or third early on behind her stablemate, the 100-1 shot Maverick Wave, taking a keen hold under Frankie Dettori.

As the leader began to tire turning for home, Enable simply cruised into the lead at the top of the straight, with another stablemate, Jack Hobbs, in close proximity.

Yet in the blink of an eye, around two furlongs out, Enable split the field apart and was away and gone. A scintillating burst of speed catapulted her clear of the rest, who were left toiling in her wake.

A 5-4 favourite, she romped home by four and a half lengths to confirm herself a very special filly indeed. A performance that combined speed, stamina and sheer class, it was, and is, wonderful to watch.

Watch Enable win the King George in 2017

Enable holds off Crystal Ocean in an epic finish to the 2019 King GeorgeCredit: Edward Whitaker

2019

For many, Enable's second King George was the race of the season.

Trapped wide from the outside stall, Dettori elected to sit further back on Enable than usual – towards the rear of midfield – after getting some cover.

The Ballydoyle pacemaker Norway set a furious gallop and the overall picture changed rapidly from three furlongs out.

Dettori, who had clearly been keeping a close eye on 7-2 second-favourite Crystal Ocean, made his move around the home turn.

Enable smoothly hit the front over two furlongs out, but then had to dig deep as Crystal Ocean threw down a sustained challenge.

It was a terrific duel, but one always felt Dettori had a bit up his sleeve and the magnificent mare held off Sir Michael Stoute’s star by a neck to score as the 8-15 favourite.

Merely pushed out in the final strides, she raised the Ascot roof.

Watch Enable win the King George in 2019

If you want to know more about the King George, read these:

2020 King George: the runners taking on Enable, the odds, the verdict

Read more about the four King George runners

One horse, one jockey, one race and one trainer to watch on Saturday

Find out what John Gosden has to say about Enable's recent work

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