Enable cemented her place in the annals of horse racing history and the hearts of fans around the world by winning the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth QIPCO Stakes at Ascot for a third time on Saturday.
Under the stewardship of an ecstatic Frankie Dettori and amid pouring rain, Enable bided her time, comfortably reeling in frontrunner Sovereign while her main threat in the market, Japan, never landed a punch as the six-year-old cruised to a five-and-a-half length victory.
Trainer John Gosden looked on dispassionately from the stands as Enable recorded arguably her most convincing win in the race having also won the mile and a half contest in 2017 and 2019.
“I was trying to not hit the front too early, I had a look round and saw Ryan (Moore on Japan) was in trouble and she finished so well,” Dettori said
“Never been done before, I am over the moon. I’m a bit emotional about because she’s special,” he added, saying a third Prix de L’Arc de Triomphe remained a target.
It was Dettori’s 7th success in the race that pitches horses of all generations over a mile and a half at the Berkshire course, joining Lester Pigott at the top of the all-time list, while for Enable it was an 11th Group One victory.
Despite the meeting still being staged behind closed doors, Enable was given a rapturous reception on her return to the Parade Ring before a jubilant Dettori unleashed his trademark dismount in torrential rain.
It had already been a cracking day for Prince Khalid Abdullah, whose Blue Mist belted home in impressive style under Moore in the Moet and Chandon International Stakes before Tsar gave Dettori and trainer Gosden their first win of the day in the Betfred Nifty Fifty Handicap Stakes.
It was also a strong day for trainer Richard Hannon and jockey Pat Dobbs.
They kicked off proceedings with a victory for Mohawk King in the Anders Foundation British EBF Crocker Bulteel Maiden Stakes, Dobbs guiding two-year-old home from Churchill Bay and the favourite Mayaas.
They followed up with another success as Chindit was an impressive two-length winner of the BetfredTV Pat Eddery Stakes.
Andrea Atzeni also had a day to remember, winning three races on Zabeel Queen, Look Closely and Star Cactus. The racing continues on Sunday 26th July, with an eight race card including two Group 3 races.
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