Star mare Enable is one of 22 horses remaining in Sunday’s Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe at ParisLongchamp, France, as the daughter of Nathaniel bids for a historic third win.
John Gosden’s six-year-old was caught late by Waldgeist in the Parisian showpiece last October, as history eluded her in her attempt to become the first horse to win Europe’s greatest race three times.
This year, the Prince Khalid Abdullah-owned mare was beaten on her seasonal return in the Coral Eclipse Stakes at Sandown Park by subsequent Longines Irish Champion Stakes runner-up Ghaiyyath, but subsequently won a third King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot in July before achieving an easy success in the September Stakes at Kempton Park, England.
Her trainer, John Gosden, also has three-time Ascot Gold Cup winner Stradivarius, who will be ridden by French jockey Oliver Peslier, as well as the 2019 William Hill St Leger winner Logician, in the field.
Though on the brink of history, Enable is being challenged at the head of the betting market by the Aidan O’Brien-trained Love. The three-year-old filly is unbeaten this season having won the QIPCO 1000 Guineas at Newmarket, England, the Investec Oaks at Epsom and the Yorkshire Oaks.
Irish champion trainer O’Brien may also run 2020 Grand Prix de Paris winner, Mogul, his full-brother and 2019 Grand Prix de Paris victor, Japan, as well as 2019 Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby winner, Sovereign.
The Ballydoyle handler’s son Joseph currently has five horses remaining in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe field, namely, Buckhurst, Crossfirehurricane, Thames River, Degraves and New York Girl.
French maestro and eight-time ‘Arc’ winning trainer Andre Fabre, successful in the race last year with Waldgeist, is expected to contest this year with Persian King, a colt who will be trying the 1 mile 4 furlong trip for the first time on Sunday.
Jean-Claude Rouget is represented by Raabihah, beaten in the recent Prix Vermeille and Sottsass, while Telecaster, Japanese mare Deirdre, Royal Julius, Gold Trip, Chachnak, In Swoop and Way To Paris complete the list of horses currently in the field at the first forfeit stage.
Here is a detailed list of all the eligible Arc horses:
