Waldgeist beats odds-on favourite Enable and Frankie Dettori to cause a huge shock in Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe

WALDGEIST powered home to spoil Frankie Dettori and Enable’s party in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe.

You could hear a pin drop at Longchamp as the odds-on favourite had no answer to 16-1 shot Waldgeist’s late challenge.

All the talk before the race had been Enable’s bid for a historic third win in the race.

Many had discounted the chances of Waldgeist with the ground turning very soft, and he looked an unlikely winner before the race.

All eyes were on Frankie Dettori as the field left the stalls to a huge cheer from the Longchamp crowd.

The top jockey had to niggle Enable along during the early stages, but she was back on the bridle at the top of the home straight and looked well positioned to race into the record books.

Once asked to quicken, Enable shot clear – and the packed grandstands in Paris roared in expectation as a third Arc win looked done and dusted.

However, her stride began to shorten in the final furlong on the testing ground and she was unable to hold off the fast-finishing Waldgeist – fourth in last year’s renewal – who powered home and left Longchamp silent.

Enable’s trainer John Gosden was full of praise for both the winning connections, and his own vanquished heroine.

He told ITV Racing: “She ran an absolutely brilliant race.

“Waldgeist came late and strong – it was a good pace up there.

“Frankie committed, and went for it, and just the last part, in the ground testing her, it’s hard to show that explosive turn of foot – and Waldgeist has outstayed her on the ground.

“Full marks to Andre.”

Reflecting on the 16-1 victory, Fabre said: “I always hope for the very best when I run my horses in the Arc, which of course is a very special race for me. With Waldgeist, he carried my highest expectation.

“I knew the ground would be very testing, but I look back to his days as a two-year-old, when he won in the heavy, and that made me more confident that he would finish his race off well.

“I don’t know whether he will run again this year and I will talk to the owner about that.”

He added: “I’m very proud that Waldgeist managed to beat such a fantastic mare, it’s well deserved in some ways. What can I say? I’m delighted.”