Jockey Frankie Dettori was determined to find the best ground for superstar Enable in the $4 million Longines Breeders’ Cup Turf. Little did the filly’s connections know how that determination would add to her legacy.
Jockey Frankie Dettori was determined to find the best ground for superstar Enable in the $4 million Longines Breeders’ Cup Turf. Little did the filly’s connections know how that determination would add to her legacy.
The two-time Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe winner was widest of all coming off the far turn, and Dettori angled out even farther to the center of the course, for the stretch run in the 1 1/2-mile race. After rain in Louisville dampened the turf course at Churchill Downs earlier in the week, Enable skimmed over the surface and gave Breeders’ Cup fans a close look as she galloped into the history books.
Juddmonte’s 4-year-old daughter of Nathaniel is the first Arc winner to triumph at the Breeders’ Cup in the same calendar year.
“I went for the better ground, and she found another gear,” said Dettori, who found Ryan Moore and Coolmore’s Magical bearing down on him with a clever switch to the inside but had enough in reserve for a three-quarters of a length victory. “She’s done it! She’s conquered America!”
It was nine lengths back to Sadler’s Joy in third.
“She’s been very brave, and mentally very strong to get herself here,” trainer John Gosden said. “She did it here today with guts and determination.”