Courtesy of TDN Europe
Those in the epicentre at ParisLongchamp held their collective breath, but ultimately there was no momentous third G1 Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe for Enable (GB) (Nathaniel {Ire}) on Sunday as Waldgeist (GB) (Galileo {Ire}) charged late to finally bring her winning sequence to an end.
Frankie Dettori had sent Juddmonte’s brilliant mare into what appeared to be a decisive advantage passing the two-furlong pole, but although she got closest to this particular landmark achievement than any other it was not to be as Pierre-Charles Boudot conjured something special from Gestut Ammerland and Newsells Park Stud’s warrior.
The G1 Prix du Jockey Club hero Sottsass (Fr) (Siyouni {Ire}) was back in third, 0.5l ahead of Japan (GB) (Galileo {Ire}) as the cream rose to the top.
“He was very impressive–he was eating up the ground at the finish,” Andre Fabre commented after greeting a remarkable eighth Arc winner. “I got very confident after Ascot, as although he was well beaten he was really finishing with a good action. After the King George, Pierre-Charles said ‘he is going to win the Arc’ and he was right. I was very concerned about the conditions, as he had moved so well on good ground in the Ganay, but he had won on the deepest ground at two so he does handle it.”
John Gosden’s immediate reaction was a magnanimous one. “She’s run a great race but has got outstayed on the ground,” he said. “I couldn’t be more pleased with her and the winner is a fine horse trained by Andre and owned by a good friend of mine. We would have preferred quicker ground.”
Waldgeist winning the G1 Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe
Fabre paid respects to the runner-up as he reflected on the winner. “I’ve immense admiration and respect for Enable, but am also very proud of Waldgeist,” he said. “He has continued to strengthen up and has become more mature. He is a calm horse and straightforward to train. The Arc is one of the world’s great races and the win is just reward for the efforts undertaken by the Dietrich Von Boetticher-Andreas Jacobs partnership. It will be them who will decide the next step, as the horse could be retired to stud.”
None of Enable’s connections would be drawn into future plans for Enable and Teddy Grimthorpe was keen to remain positive from a position that has become alien to them where this particular performer is concerned. “She has run a great race and we are all very proud of her,” he said.
“The ground was too holding for her, but she ran a blinder and we couldn’t have asked any more of her. Enable has become a real icon. She is held in deep affection by many people and the public at large. The Prince will decide her future and at this moment in time, we are counting our blessings that a mare of such quality has come into our lives.
"The expectation levels coming into the race were simply huge and it’s great that so much positive energy has accompanied her on this particular journey. It is very emotional for us all and she has made us proud. We don’t love her any less for that defeat.”
