LONDON: Frankie Dettori is confident Enable can create history and become the first horse to win the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe and Breeders’ Cup Turf in the same year.
The four-year-old, owned by Saudi Arabian Khalid bin Abdullah, has only had two outings this season. But Enable showed exactly what she is capable of last month when she stormed to victory at Longchamps to claim back-to-back Arcs.
Dettori, who rode her to victory in the famous race, is certain that her light workload in 2018 will help her to enter the record books.
The jockey said: “I’m aware of the fact that no horse has won an Arc and a Breeders’ Cup Turf, but records are there to be broken.
“In favor of Enable, she has only raced twice, is very fresh and seems to have traveled over well, and she’s shown her versatility winning around Chester and Epsom and also a King George on soft ground.
“You never can be completely certain that everything is spot on, but you certainly wouldn’t suspect it (anything wrong) with this filly.”
Trainer John Gosden is also hopeful that the filly can overcome her light campaign and win at the famous Churchill Downs track tomorrow.
“She has settled in well, Frankie said she was very professional today and moved well on the ground, we’re not going to do more than get a feel of the place,” Godson told At The Races.
“We’re watching where the rain is going, a little north of us at the moment, so you never know we might not get drowned.
“She has had a clear run since the Arc, she obviously took longer to come out of the Arc (than usual) which is understandable. She went in there not 100 percent, so it took a little time to get over it but I’ve been pleased with her since. She traveled well over here, she’s settling in and eating and drinking well, which is very important, and I am liking the way she moves.”
Speaking of Enable’s light season, Godson added: “To be honest I would have preferred to bring her here after last year’s campaign, which was absolutely smooth, yes she won five Group 1s but I would have liked to have come here a little bit on the crest of the wave.
“This has not been an easy year with her but she won the Arc.”
Frankie Dettori sure Enable can make history in Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe
Frankie Dettori sure Enable can make history in Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe
Hojgaard inspires Dubai students as Hero Dubai Desert Classic takes trophy tour to schools
DUBAI: Young Danish star Nicolai Hojgaard helped inspire the next generation of golfers as the Hero Dubai Desert Classic took its Dallah Trophy on tour across Dubai schools before the tournament’s 37th edition.
The Middle East’s oldest golf event returns to Emirates Golf Club from Jan. 22-25, with the trophy tour forming part of a wider drive to promote the sport at grassroots level and engage young people throughout the UAE.
The initiative began on Monday at The English College, where Hojgaard, a DP World Tour professional, met students for a Q&A session and trophy presentation. Pupils also took part in introductory golf activities delivered by the Emirates Golf Federation, designed to give them a fun and accessible first experience of the game.
The school visits are being delivered in partnership with The R&A and the Emirates Golf Federation through The R&A’s “Unleash Your Drive in Schools” program. The initiative introduces golf in an inclusive, non-intimidating way while highlighting its physical and mental health benefits.
Following the opening visit, the trophy tour continued to Dubai Heights Academy on Tuesday and Horizon English School on Wednesday, with a final stop scheduled at Bloom World Academy on Thursday.
Simon Corkill, executive tournament director of the Hero Dubai Desert Classic, said the program reflects the event’s long-term vision beyond elite competition.
“As the longest-running golf event in the Middle East, the Hero Dubai Desert Classic is proud to work with The R&A and the Emirates Golf Federation to inspire the next generation of golfers,” he said. “The trophy tour and school taster sessions demonstrate our commitment to developing future talent and ensuring golf is seen as an inclusive, enjoyable and healthy sport for young people.”
The Dubai Desert Classic is one of the flagship events on the global golf calendar and plays a central role in the sport’s growth in the region.
