October 12, 2020 
Superstar European mare Enable will be retired from racing effective immediately.
The decision by Juddmonte Farms and Enable owner Prince Khalid Abdullah follows her unsuccessful attempt to win a historic third Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe on soggy turf earlier this month in Paris.
“After consulting with her trainer John Gosden and his racing manager Teddy Grimthorpe, Prince Khalid has decided Enable will be retired from racing,” Juddmonte CEO Douglas Erskine Crum said in a statement Monday morning.
“She will now become a Juddmonte broodmare.” Crum announced her first mating will be at an undisclosed time with Juddmonte stallion Kingman.
The Arc was widely expected to be Enable’s last run, but the six-year-old Champion was spotted during a morning training gallop at Newmarket last week and held an entry into Saturday’s British Champions’ Day. The announcement of her immediate retirement ended the hope of a final run at home.
Enable was partnered with Champion jockey Lanfranco “Frankie” Dettori throughout all but the first of her races beginning in 2017.
“I cried last night when I heard the decision,” the 49-year-old Dettori admitted. His career was rejuvenated when teamed with the daughter of Nathaniel. “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.
“But when I woke up this morning, I was fine,” Dettori continued. “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. We had a tremendous journey together for four years. She was the horse that most touched my heart.
“I went to see her this morning. She’s been so brilliant for all of us and I love her. I’m never going to forget her.”
Gosden praised her personality and athleticism.
“Enable has retired happy and sound after an extraordinary career,” said her career-long trainer. “We all here at Clarehaven Stables have been very fortunate to be with her for the past five years and to appreciate her strong character and athletic prowess.
“Her daily presence has been a joy and her record in Group Ones including four Oaks, three King Georges, two Arcs, an Eclipse and a Breeders’ Cup Turf is an unprecedented marvel. We look forward to visiting her nearby in her new career.”
Grimthorpe, Prince Khalid’s racing manager at Juddmonte, praised her singular achievements on racecourses in England, Ireland and the U.S.
“Her CV withstands the closest of inspections,” said Grimthorpe. “Very few can match what she has given to racing.
“She has brought so much joy to everyone who has been involved with her. Her elegance and forceful personality have been nurtured by John and his team, especially by Imran (Shahwani, groom and head rider) who has looked after her with such calm and devotion.”
Her new “partner,” Juddmonte’s own Kingman, was the 2014 Cartier Horse of the Year, when he was ridden by Dettori. His 7-1-0 racing record boasts all group wins, five of them Group One racing in England, Ireland and France. Their mating will likely take place in the coming breeding season.
Enable compiled a 15-2-1 racing record that earned £10,721,321 ($13,982,694). That record includes an historic three wins in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes and a memorable win in the 2018 Breeders’ Cup Turf in addition to her two Arc victories.
Named Cartier European Champion & Horse of the Year in 2017, she was European Champion Older Horse in 2018, Champion Older Horse & Horse of the Year in 2019. She is the only horse to win the Arc and the Breeders’ Cup Turf in the same year.
Asked to choose the memory that will stands out most in his mind in years to come, Dettori picked Enable’s win in last year’s King George. She prevailed by a head over Crystal Ocean, a winner under Dettori at Royal Ascot the previous month.
“What a race that was. The line-up of horses—the Arc winner, Derby winners, Waldgeist—they all were there. We had some duel. She had every opportunity to throw in the towel but she didn’t. What a wonderful mare she is, so strong.
“But I guess the best performance would be the first Arc (at Chantilly). So many great performances; I’ll cherish all of them. She owes nobody anything. She’s been a superstar.”
Her first foals could begin racing careers by 2024. Dettori was cheered by a suggestion he might one day be racing her foals.
Laughing, he said: “Is that a dangling carrot to keep me going?”
