James Doyle: Crystal Ocean left every inch of his heart out on the track

They say it takes two to make a great horse race and nobody was arguing after a spectacular midsummer showdown, least of all Sir Michael Stoute, despite being the vanquished with Crystal Ocean.

"It has to be up there with the great races like Grundy and Bustino, doesn't it?" said the trainer after being denied a seventh win in the Group 1 some 38 years after Shergar gave him a first.

Stoute, applauding Enable back along with a thronged paddock, added: "Crystal Ocean has made it an entertaining day for the crowd.

"He never gives in. I thought at the half-furlong pole will I? But I didn't get too excited.

"Enable is a great – just look at her record – and she has had setbacks but comes back from them at the top level. She is a pain in the arse at times!"

James Doyle, the winner a year ago on Poet's Word, who consigned Crystal Ocean to second in a Stoute one-two, was in awe of this year's reception.

Crystal Ocean: a valiant second to EnableCredit: Alan Crowhurst

"I have never experienced finishing second in a race and getting as loud a cheer as we got – what a race and what a run from Crystal Ocean."

Doyle appeared to hold the aces on straightening for home as he was sitting motionless with Frankie Dettori starting to push on Enable after getting her into Crystal Ocean's slipstream.

Doyle added: "It was a great race – it was unbelievable. She joined me and it felt like I headed her back – well I thought I did – and I thought we could be in business, but she just digs into the reserves and away she goes.

"Credit to my fellow, he left every inch of his heart out on the track there."

Given the crowd reaction, credit to two horses at the top of their game for lifting racing's profile.

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