Dettori relives Arc Heartbreak and explains what happened

Frankie Dettori

Frankie Dettori was live on ITV Racing's Opening Show on Saturday morning and gave an in depth verdict as to what happened on Arc day and how he felt after the devastating loss on Enable.

The Italian rider left Paris Longchamp last weekend deflated and admitted in the aftermath of the Group One he shed a tear having being pipped on the line by Andre Fabre's Waldgeist in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe.

John Gosden's superstar mare was the odds on favourite to go on and take her third consecutive Arc and be the only horse in the history of the sport to go on and do so but it was not to be.

Andre Fabre landed his eighth win in the Group One contest on his home soil which sets the record for the amount of times a dingle trainer has landed the race since its inauguration.

However, after almost a week since Enable ever so nearly created racing history Frankie Dettori has had time to reflect on what happened.

(Credit At The Races) He said: “It was amazing – as soon I stepped out of the weighing room people were screaming and going berserk. It was like being at the football, it was not horse racing any more.

“The paddock was rammed and then I got on the filly and I was trying to take it all in – it was a special moment.

“The parade seemed to go on and on and when I got near the winning post they weren’t shouting Enable any more, they were shouting my name. I never expected such warmth from not only the English people, but I think the French were behind her as well.

“The race went exactly like I thought. I had a great spot and the pace was strong. I was able to save ground and give my horse a breather and everything was fine until the Andre Fabre horse spoiled it in the last 100 yards!”

Dettori continued: “The race could not have gone better. I wish Magical had took me into the race a bit longer, but once Sottsass arrived I had to go.

“Waldgeist quickened and I didn’t, that’s the difference. The only thing that made him go and my filly stop was the ground – if the ground was good I would have got to the line.

“She really tried her heart out and we came close. I shed a tear on Sunday night, but she went down in glory, even in defeat.”

It is still up in the air whether Enable will ever run again or be sent to stud with her owner Prince Khalid Abdullah waiting patiently to see how she has come out of the Arc.

Dettori is obviously hoping he can race her one last time but like her fans is none the wiser.

He added: “Of course I was deflated, but I had another three races to ride in, so I had to pick myself up and try and get it out of my mind.“It’s been an amazing experience for everybody involved and I just hope Prince Khalid keeps her in training and we can try again next year!”