Frankie Dettori says riding Enable to hat-trick would be as big as the Moon landing
IT’S one small step for man, one giant leap for manekind.
Frankie Dettori insists riding wonder mare Enable to an historic hat-trick today will be the equine equivalent of Neil Armstrong walking on the moon.
Fifty years on from Apollo 11’s iconic lunar landing, the John Gosden-trained rocket bids to become the first horse to win France’s famous Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe three times.
Dettori said: “We are attempting the impossible. Not just Europe, but the whole world will be watching because we are trying to scale heights nobody has ever done before.
“So it’s like the first man on the moon scenario, or a Steve Redgrave moment when he won his fifth successive Olympic gold medal — that’s how big a deal this is.”
Bigger, even, than his beloved Arsenal’s 2003-4 Invincible season?
“Yes,” he added. “Enable has been unbeaten for two-and-a-half years.
“She is the darling of English racing and taking on the French Derby winner Sottsass, Irish Champion Stakes winner Magical and Aidan O’Brien’s low-mileage, fast improving three-year-old, Japan.
“It’s going to be a proper, proper race and she’ll have to run a career-best.”
However, running is something she has proved to be very good at, with two Arcs, two King Georges, the Oaks, Irish Oaks and Breeder’s Cup already to her name.
Her 48-year-old Italian jockey has been inundated with good luck messages from all over the world, including his Newmarket fishmonger, as he bids for his seventh Arc in his 31st ride in Europe’s richest race. Most of the expected 40,000 crowd at Longchamp will be behind him, while he has an army of friends and supporters travelling over from Italy to cheer him on.
And Britain’s best-loved jockey said: “Everywhere I go in town people are wishing me well.
“I feel the anticipation of the nation — everyone is behind me — while the whole world wants her to win. It’s an amazing feeling to have and let’s hope we can pull it off.”
Victory will secure a record 18th Group 1 triumph for Dettori this season, while Enable has bagged more than £9million in prize money for Arab owner Prince Khalid Abdullah.
There’s another £2.5m first prize up for grabs today.
But Enable’s winnings have already bought a HOUSE for groom Imran Shahwani.
He began working in Gosden’s Newmarket yard 13 years ago and has looked after the five-year-old superstar since she was a foal.
He said: “I am so proud. She is so special because she bought a three-bedroom house for me. I gave her three kisses for that!”
She has also helped finance Dettori’s new £3m Newmarket mansion.
The jockey said with a smile: “She has definitely paid for half it — and the school fees for my five kids!
“Emotionally, she has taken me to places no other horse has. Never has a horse touched me as much.
“She has been a big part of my life for three years so, of course, I love her. She is very close to my heart and will never be forgotten in the Dettori household.”
He shed tears at York in August after riding her to a thrilling Yorkshire Oaks victory over great rival Magical on what he thought was her final race on English soil.
But Gosden has since hinted she may yet bring down the curtain on her glittering career at Ascot on Champions Day on October 19 before retiring to stud.
There could be more tears of joy at Longchamp this afternoon — especially if Dettori’s eldest son Leo proves to be his lucky charm.
His last visit to the iconic French racecourse was in 2015 — when his famous father won his fourth Arc on Golden Horn.
He is hoping to be there again this afternoon and Dettori — an ambassador for hydration drink iPro — said: “It was his 16th birthday and Golden Horn wore No 16. He could be lucky for me.
“I am quite horrible to live with one or two days before a big race. That’s when the nerves and anticipation kick in.
“My family know how to treat me then and usually stay out of the way. But on race day I feel brilliant and will be focused on getting the job done.
“I will enjoy the occasion and thrive on it.
“This is my job and I channel any nerves to take me to another level. This can only happen after so many years of experience.”
If Enable is able to blast away Magical, French Derby champ Sottsass, King Edward VII Stakes hero Japan and Co, Gosden may consider plonking a statue of her in his yard — next to the one he already has of the great Golden Horn.
Dettori is already planning to build a special Enable sanctum inside his lavish home.
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Dettori said: “I’m thinking of making an Enable shrine in my house with all the trophies she’s won me — I can’t think of another horse who has won me 10 Group 1 races.
“So I will find a nice place in a corner of the house and make a little shrine for her.
“Sunday will be emotional because it could be the last time I ride her.
“I will give the big girl a kiss and cuddle but, win or lose, it will be emotional.”
And if she proves to be the best on the planet, Dettori really will be over the moon.
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