Frankie Dettori delight as Enable stays in training

Enable’s glittering year included victory in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes. Picture: Racingfotos.com

Frankie Dettori has spoken of his delight at the news his “filly of a lifetime” Enable will stay in training next season.

The John Gosden-trained three-year-old has enjoyed a fabulous campaign, with three of her five Group 1 victories being achieved in this year’s QIPCO British Champions Series Series – the Investec Oaks, QIPCO-sponsored King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes and Darley Yorkshire Oaks.

Her other triumphs were achieved in the Irish Oaks and Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe.

In the immediate aftermath of her French victory Gosden was keen on the idea of Enable staying in training and after deliberating for a week, owner Prince Khalid Abdullah has confirmed she will press on in 2018, with a second Arc bid at a renovated Longchamp high on the agenda.

A statement issued by Abdullah’s Juddmonte Farms on Monday read: “Prince Khalid bin Abdullah is pleased to announce that Enable will stay in training for 2018.

“Her racing programme will be decided in the New Year, but the defence of the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe will be high in consideration.”

Dettori has partnered Enable to each of her six triumphs this season and is relishing the prospect of being reunited with her next year.

He said: “I’m very pleased and grateful to Prince Khalid for keeping her in training because, to me, she is a filly of a lifetime.

“What she has achieved this year has been nothing short of sensational. I’m looking forward to having her back next year so we can have another crack at going for the Arc and all the other big races.

“She is the best filly I have ridden. She won five Group Ones, including two Classics, and she didn’t just win them, she won them amazingly.”

He added: “I think the racing fans will look forward to seeing her race next year, including me, as I’m her biggest fan.

“I didn’t have to say very much. John Gosden knows the filly better than I do and he spoke to Prince Khalid and came to the decision.”