Why, Despite Enable’s Defeat, John Gosden Still Has Plenty To Smile About

Less than two lengths prevented Enable from her third victory in the prestigious Arc de Triomphe on Sunday – with the Andre Fabre trained Waldgeist becoming just the third horse to finish in front of Khalid Abdullah’s mare.

You’d have reason to believe that her trainer John Gosden might be feeling slightly deflated this week, but with a raft of potential superstars for next year in his ranks – and more Group races to win before the season is out – he still has plenty to look forward to.

All of this weekend’s Group action at Newmarket will be covered by our free horse racing tips, with Gosden sure to be well represented.

A Season To Remember

Despite Enable’s loss on Sunday, it truly has been a remarkable season for Clarehaven Stables – with notable Group 1 victories from the likes of Anapurna, Logician, Star Catcher and of course, their stable star Enable.

The go-to man for Gosden has been a certain Lanfranco Dettori, and Anapurna’s victory in Saturday’s Prix de Royallieu brought Frankie’s 2019 Group 1 winners tally to a record-breaking 17.

With John Gosden currently over £900,000 clear of his nearest rival Aidan O’Brien in the British Flat Trainers Championship – he looks on the verge of a fourth Champion Trainer title.

The Potential For More Group Success This Season

This week sees Newmarket’s Dubai Future Champions Festival take centre stage, and we will have all of the terrestrial action covered by our ITV Racing Tips.

John Gosden currently has entries in the Group 1 bet365 Fillies’ Mile and for four separate Group 3 contests across the meeting, including two entries in Friday’s Darley Pride Stakes – which he took last year with Scottish Jig.

With the likes of Coronet, Stradivarius and King Of Comedy – including the small chance of Enable’s participation – at Ascot’s Champions Day next Saturday, there appears to be a distinct possibility of more Group success before the flat season comes to an end.

Stable Stars For 2020

Although it is yet to be confirmed, it seems unlikely that Enable will continue racing as a six-year-old, and Gosden’s Oaks winner Anapurna will not be back next season – having already been committed to broodmare duties once her 2019 campaign is out of the way.

So, the question is, who has the potential to be Gosden’s next superstar?

Stradivarius will likely be the yard’s flag-bearer – with a third successive Weatherbys Hamilton Stayers’ Million firmly in his connection’s sights.

Last month’s St Leger victor Logician is set to be dropped back in distance next season, with races such as the Coral-Eclipse, King George and Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe potential targets – all races that Enable took participation in this year.

Another Khalid Abdullah owned Gosden recruit is Cressida, who has had just the one start to date – landing a Kempton novice on her debut in July. She currently sits around the 33/1 mark with most firms for next season’s Oaks.

The exciting juvenile Palace Pier has been ruled out for the remainder of the season, with his record currently an impressive 2-2 – both wins coming at Sandown. His target is likely to be next year’s 2000 Guineas, which is the only British Classic that Gosden is yet to win.

All of the horses above have the potential to provide the yard with plenty of success in 2020, whilst it also looks worth keeping a close eye on any winning newcomers that Gosden sends out between now and the end of the year.

Future Group 1 winners Jack Hobbs, Enable, Golden Horn and Taghrooda all made winning debuts in end of season maiden/novice races – with the first two both winners on the all-weather, so it looks worth noting any winners coming out of Clarehaven in the next couple of months.