Enable’s last race was on 4 October in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe in which the six-year-old was seeking a historic third win but finished sixth. Despite this defeat, the mare will be remembered as one of the greats, she won the King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot three times, the English and Irish Oaks and at the Breeders’ Cup.
Dettori said of the horse, “Obviously I shed a tear as I was a bit emotional. She has touched my heart and has been one of the great mares of our generation; I went to see her this morning. I accept the decision, and she doesn’t owe anyone anything.”
The jockey admitted that he had hoped for one more race on the horse, saying, “It was a bit of an emotional moment because we were still thinking about rolling the dice one more time. So it was a blow.”
The 49-year-old revealed his close bonds with the horse, saying “I had to accept it emotionally, But I woke up this morning, I was fine. Now that I know that she’s safe and she’s gone, I’m able to slowly be touched by emotions and just look at the wider picture. She’s done so brilliantly for all of us, and I love her. I’m never going to forget her. I went to see her this morning. We had a tremendous journey for three-and-a-half, four years. She was the horse that most touched my heart.”
Speaking to reporters, Dettori was asked what memory would stand out to the jockey in years to come; he replied that the horses win in last year’s King George is the one that comes to mind. In that race, Enable won by a neck over rival Crystal Ocean. Dettori said after winning that race, “In all my career that’s probably the hardest-fought Group One I’ve ever had, two great champions, the last two furlongs. It doesn’t come every day.”
Although the news of the retirement wasn’t a total surprise, she still held entries for races at Champions’ Day this Saturday at Ascot. Hopes were raised for one final run after she was spotted on the Newmarket gallops last week, but these hopes were dashed this week with the announcement on Monday.
