Her conqueror at Longchamp, the Andre Fabre-trained Waldgeist, also won the Group 1 Prix Ganay in Paris in April.
Crystal Ocean, from the stable of Michael Stoute, was a Group 1 winner at Royal Ascot in June, beating Waldgeist in the process. But he was pipped by Enable at Ascot again in July, with Waldgeist in third.
The illustrious trio were honored at a lavish awards ceremony in London Wednesday. The Arc, Europe’s richest race, was named as the Longines Best Horserace.
“She was phenomenal throughout the year, she had a great race in the Arc — she was beaten by a better horse on the day,” said the Englishman.
“She’s been nothing but magnificent throughout her career. She enjoys racing, she enjoys training… so we’ll gear her towards the autumn. She’s only six so she’s still young.”
“I can’t say how pleased I am she’s still in training,” he said of Prince Khalid’s decision.
“To me, it’s a dream come true. I know the Arc is nine months away but that’s our main target. It’s very rare to have this kind of horse so let’s enjoy it. It’s going to be a lot of pressure for me and John but that’s the reason we get up in the morning.”
Crystal Ocean, a son of renowned sire Sea the Stars, was bought from owner Evelyn de Rothschild by Irish racing and breeding conglomerate Coolmore and retired to stud in October.
