Report: Enable to the Breeders' Cup remains a longshot

While owner Prince Khalid Abdullah mulls whether to continue campaigning the super mare Enable or retire her to become a broodmare, trainer John Gosden has ruled out running back in Europe's most prestigious race left on the 2019 calendar.

In an interview with Marcus Townsend, writing for the Daily Mail, Gosden said Saturday Ascot's Champion Stakes (G1) is off the table. Next weekend's event would require Enable coming back on two weeks' rest from her recent defeat in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe.

According to the report, a repeat run for Enable at the Breeders' Cup Turf, set for Nov. 2 at Santa Anita Park, is also unlikely, with Adullah's decision seemingly down to bringing back the daughter of Nathaniel next year at age 6.

Enable looked en route to a historic third straight win in the Arc, taking the lead in the stretch at Longchamp before Waldgeist ran her down, the soft turf dulling Enable's signature late acceleration.

"They went too hard in heavy ground and, let’s face it, the whole lot of them walked home," Gosden told the Daily Mail. "They all went too soon in the straight and overdid it. Every horse in that race had a very tiring experience.

"I wouldn’t dream of bringing her back 13 days after that."

Frankie Dettori, Enable's jockey, reflected on the Arc in his first interview since then on Saturday. According to the Racing Post, he told broadcaster ITV that in the Arc, "If the ground was good I would have got to the line."

While Enable won't win three Arcs consecutively, she could still become the first horse to win three additions regardless of the season in 2020.

"I just hope Prince Khalid keeps her in training and we try again next year," Dettori said.

Enable, a winner of 13 races from 15 starts, went into the Arc on a 12-race streak including victories this season in the Coral-Eclipse (G1), King George (G1) and Yorkshire Oaks (G1).