John Quinn’s superb sprint mare Highfield Princess has died after sustaining a inoperable fracture in her stable.
The bay was being prepared for another season in training as her remarkable career looked to extend into another year, but an accident in her box put paid to that plan earlier in the month.
She was immediately retired and it was hoped she would recover and head into a second career as a broodmare, but her death was announced on Sunday.
Homebred by her owner John Fairley and generally ridden by Jason Hart, Highfield Princess had been a great success story for connections across the past four seasons, rising from the handicap ranks to win 14 times.
Those victories included the Prix de l’Abbaye, Flying Five, Nunthorpe and Prix Maurice de Gheest, all Group One events, and she was also second in the Nunthorpe and the King’s Stand by just a length apiece last season when amassing over £1.8million in prize money throughout her career.
Highfield Princess winning the King George Qatar Stakes (Andrew Matthews/PA)
A statement from John Quinn and his son Sean said: “It is with the greatest sadness that we have to announce the death of our wonderful mare, Highfield Princess.
“She suffered an inoperable fracture following an accident in her stable and although over the past week she fought with the same extraordinary spirit she showed on the racecourse, last night she lost her battle for life.
“We would like to thank Jonathan Anderson and the team at Rainbow Equine Hospital, who did everything possible to help the Princess and keep her comfortable.”
Her trainer added: “Highfield Princess took us all on the most remarkable journey.
“She possessed Group One ability but also a Group One attitude.
“Whether it was a routine canter or a big sprint race around the world, she put 100 per cent effort into what she did. I am grateful for all that she did for herself and for our team.
Jason Hart and Highfield Princess after the Wootton Bassett Nunthorpe Stakes (Mike Egerton/PA)
“We will miss her more than words can say.”
John Fairley described the mare as the “pride of Yorkshire”, saying: “It has been the privilege of our lives to have known Highfield Princess. We are all heartbroken.
“She was the horse you dream of breeding and owning. She took our family on an extraordinary adventure around the world and created so many precious memories. She loved to race and her intelligence, toughness and will to win were incredible. She was a truly special horse, a member of our family.
“There were so many people involved in her incredible journey. From the stud where she was born, to the people who helped her take her first steps under saddle and the farm where she spent her holidays.
“We know the team at John and Sean Quinn Racing, who have looked after the Princess with dedication and love, will also be devastated. We would like to thank them all for their tender care over the years. She was so happy in that yard.
“Highfield Princess was the pride of Yorkshire, a superstar on the racecourse and adored by so many, for her irrepressible spirit at home and on the racecourse. We’re thinking of everyone who loved and admired her, in the UK and all around the world.
“She will be forever held in our hearts.”
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Top sprinter Highfield Princess will not return to training and has been retired after sustaining a significant injury.
The seven-year-old has been the apple of trainer John Quinn’s eye for the past few seasons, enjoying an astonishing rise from the handicap ranks to a string of Group successes.
The bay has 14 victories on her CV, including the Prix de l’Abbaye, Flying Five, Nunthorpe and Prix Maurice de Gheest – all Group One events.
She was also second in the Nunthorpe and the King’s Stand by just a length apiece last season and amassed over £1.8million in prize money throughout her career.
Connections had intended to keep her in training for another season but she suffered a serious injury in her stable on Tuesday and has therefore been retired.
Highfield Princess winning the Flying Five (Donall Farmer/PA)
A statement from John and Sean Quinn read: “It is with sadness that we announce that our star mare Highfield Princess has been retired from racing with immediate effect.
“On Tuesday morning she suffered an injury in her stable that was at the time very serious and concerning. That morning she was transferred to Rainbow Equine Hospital and has been in their care ever since.
“Her progress over the past few days has been encouraging and whilst she still has a way to go to make a full recovery, we are hopeful that with time and care she will be OK.
“What she has done for our yard over the past four seasons has been nothing short of remarkable. From humble beginnings she climbed to the very top of the sprinting ladder to be crowned European Champion Sprinter in 2022.
“She was the gift that kept on giving. As a racehorse she was always there for us when we needed it and now it is our turn to be there for her.”
John Fairley, owner and breeder of Highfield Princess, added: “What a fantastic mare she has been. An Australian owner commented last year that she was probably the fastest mare in the world.
“To have bred and raced a mare to win three Group One races in five weeks in 2022 was fantastic. We hope that she will make a full recovery and be fit to take up broodmare duties next year.”
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John Quinn is eyeing further top-level success with Highfield Princess after confirming his superstar sprinting mare will stay in training this year.
The seven-year-old memorably completed a Group One hat-trick in 2022 with wins in the Prix Maurice de Gheest, Nunthorpe and Flying Five Stakes before rounding off her campaign with a fourth-placed finish at the Breeders’ Cup.
Owner John Fairley sportingly elected to bring his pride and joy back for another season last year and was duly rewarded, as Highfield Princess was placed twice at Royal Ascot and blitzed her rivals at Goodwood before bagging a fourth Group One success in the Prix de l’Abbaye at ParisLongchamp.
Trainer John Quinn has done an excellent job with Highfield Princess (Mike Egerton/PA)
She could only finish sixth on her most recent outing in Hong Kong, but while connections could quite easily have retired the daughter of Night Of Thunder for breeding purposes in 2024, Quinn is delighted to report her racing career will continue.
“Highfield Princess is going to stay in training this year and I’m delighted,” he told the PA news agency on Tuesday morning.
“She retained her enthusiasm all year (last year) and keeps doing it. She won another Group One, was placed in three Group Ones and won a Group Two, so it’s not as if she had one outstanding run and four or five runs below par.
“She had one disappointing run in the Curragh when she slipped, apart from that she was second in the Duke of York, placed twice at Royal Ascot, fantastic at Glorious Goodwood, second in the Nunthorpe and put up a tremendous performance in the Abbaye.
“She ran creditably in Hong Kong from a wide draw and the owners have decided they’d like to race her again this year, which is great.”
Highfield Princess returns victorious after an amazing effort at ParisLongchamp pic.twitter.com/xB5UHvssn2
While Highfield Princess is currently enjoying a well-earned break, Quinn has already started to formulate plans for her comeback.
He added: “She’s having a break now and will be back in (training) on February 1.
“I think she’ll kick off in the Duke of York again. It might be cold and snowy this morning, but it will soon come round, and then we’ll aim for Royal Ascot.”
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Connections of Highfield Princess are keen to “let the dust settle” on her creditable effort in Hong Kong last weekend before making a decision on her future.
A triple Group One winner in 2022 for John Quinn, the popular mare has fully justified the call to keep her in training as a six-year-old, with victories in the King George Stakes at Goodwood and the Prix de l’Abbaye at ParisLongchamp supplemented by several fine performances in defeat.
Highfield Princess was unable to land a telling blow on local superstar Lucky Sweynesse in Sunday’s Hong Kong Sprint, but was far from disgraced in being being beaten four lengths into sixth place and the trainer’s son Sean Quinn was proud of her performance.
John Quinn, trainer of Highfield Princess (Donall Farmer/PA)
“I thought she did her very best, it was tough from her wide draw and she just got a little bit lit up and nudged wide on the bend when the winner came up her inside,” he said.
“I’m not making any huge excuses, it might have cost her a place or two, but she performed very creditably on a very tough stage.
“She kept going and picked up £55,000 for finishing sixth, whereas if she’d finished seventh she’d have picked up nothing, so she paid for the trip and more.”
With Highfield Princess and her trainer having not yet returned to UK soil, a final call on whether she will be retired for broodmare duties, or race on in 2024, has yet to be made.
“She’s still in Hong Kong as we speak, so I think it’s just a case of getting her home, let the dust settle and keep her ticking over and see how she is,” Quinn jnr added.
“To win another Group One this year and probably one of the most valuable Group Twos in Europe when she won at Goodwood, not only has she picked up huge prize-money but she’s enhanced her CV.
“We can look back on this year very satisfied.”
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John Quinn has confirmed Highfield Princess will sidestep a trip to the Breeders’ Cup in favour of a tilt at the Hong Kong Sprint in December.
The popular mare won three times at Group One level last season – landing the Prix Maurice de Gheest, the Nunthorpe and the Flying Five Stakes – before rounding off her campaign with a creditable fourth place finish in the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint at Keeneland in November.
She was beaten in her first three starts of this season and had to make do with the runner-up spot behind the Breeders’ Cup-bound Live In The Dream when defending her Nunthorpe crown in August, but was last seen adding to her top-level tally in the Prix de l’Abbaye at ParisLongchamp a fortnight ago.
Highfield Princess returned to her very best in the Prix de l’Abbaye (Ashley Iveson/PA)
Connections considered a possible second tilt at Breeders’ Cup glory, but Highfield Princess will instead be readied for a first assignment in the Far East.
“All being well, we’re going to go to Hong Kong with her,” said Quinn.
“It gives the mare a bit longer, which is probably the main thing. It’s six furlongs in Hong Kong and the ground can be rattling hard in America – at Santa Anita it can be like the road. We just thought all in all we’d plump for Hong Kong.
“She’s come out of the Abbaye well, she’s in great nick so we’re happy. We just want to keep her in good form and have her in good nick and we’ll give it a twirl.”
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Connections will bide their time before deciding the next move for Highfield Princess following her triumphant return to the winner’s enclosure at ParisLongchamp.
The John Quinn-trained six-year-old was the standout sprinter of 2022, striking at the top level on three occasions as she enjoyed a stellar summer in the spotlight.
Despite again campaigning with the same consistency this term, victories have been harder to come by, and she headed to the French capital for the Prix de l’Abbaye with just the sole success in Goodwood’s King George Stakes to her name this season.
Incredible performance! Highfield Princess is flat out most of the way but defies a nightmare draw to win the Group 1 Prix de l'Abbaye de Longchamp Longines for @jasonhart13 and John Quinn 🙌 pic.twitter.com/UWgZOCdgKL
There she left an unfortuante run in the Curragh’s Flying Five Stakes in the past and also overcame a tricky-looking draw in the hands of Jason Hart, as she returned to the highest echelons of the sprinting ranks to the delight of connections.
Quinn would now like to wait just a little longer before deciding if his star sprinter will get her passport stamped for an overseas end-of-season assignment, with bettering last year’s brave fourth in the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint at Santa Anita or a crack at the Longines Hong Kong Sprint on December 10 both on the radar.
“She seems fine, she had a canter this morning and touch wood she seems fine,” said Quinn.
“We will let the dust settle and then we’ll plan forward.
“I just want to see her again for another week or so and then speak to her owners. If there is another run in her this year she will tell us.
“We’re open minded, but as long as she is OK – and she seems OK – and she bounces back in a week or so it will either be America or Hong Kong.”
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Highfield Princess bounced back to her very best to claim the Prix de l’Abbaye de Longchamp Longines with a thrilling late thrust at ParisLongchamp.
John Quinn’s star mare was a regular on the scoresheet at the highest level last season, but although running with real credit throughout the current campaign, she had just the one victory to her name in 2023 as she headed to the French capital.
Having to overcome both a disappointing showing at the Curragh last time and a tricky draw in stall 14, Jason Hart was urging his mount forwards throughout as George Boughey’s Perdika blazed a trail from stall one.
The Boughey raider still looked to have plenty up her sleeve as the field entered the final furlong but as the line approached Perdika’s stride was shortening, while Highfield Princess was edging ever closer and in the shadow of the post, the six-year-old surged to the front to register a welcome return to the sprinting big-time.
Incredible performance! Highfield Princess is flat out most of the way but defies a nightmare draw to win the Group 1 Prix de l'Abbaye de Longchamp Longines for @jasonhart13 and John Quinn 🙌 pic.twitter.com/UWgZOCdgKL
Quinn said: “I’m thrilled really. Down the years we have had plenty of horses run really well at this wonderful meeting. In the Abbaye, El Astronaute was third, Liberty Beach was beaten two heads, Safe Voyage was beaten two heads in the Foret.
“It is one of the greatest meetings in the world and I hoped I would one day train a winner here and it is wonderful.”
He went on: “She tries hard and you could say from where she was drawn she was inconvenienced. But she toughed it into the race and toughed it out of the race because two furlongs out she was flat out, but fair dues to her.
“It was a very brave decision (to keep her in training) considering she had won three Group Ones in Europe and was probably one of the best fillies around. I’m so pleased they have been totally vindicated.
“She’s shown she’s as good as any sprinting mare in the world. She showed today what a top-class, sprinting filly she is.”
Jason Hart returns to the winner’s enclosure aboard Highfield Princess (Ashley Iveson/PA)
Quinn will now be urging Highfield Princess’ owners to give the go-ahead for a second tilt at the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint having finished fourth at Keeneland last November.
When asked about the mare’s next run being at Santa Anita next month, Quinn said: “Why not? It was all about today and she came through it well.
“We were very happy with her the last couple of weeks. I will need to speak to my owner but I would be strongly suggesting it.
“We needed to see how today went and today went very well. I wouldn’t rule out the Breeders’ Cup or the big sprint at Hong Kong in December.
“It’s John and his family’s decision whether she’ll race on next year, but as long as she’s OK she could go to Santa Anita or Sha Tin.”
Hart added: “She was flat out all the way. It was only in the last 50 yards when the leader tied up that I knew we were going to win. What a mare, she’s so tough.”
Perdika kept hold of the silver medal with Aidan O’Brien’s Aesop’s Fables and Tom Clover’s Rogue Lightning also on the premises.
Highfield Princess could bid to get back on track in the Prix de l’Abbaye providing she is fine following her below-par performance at the Curragh.
John Quinn’s star mare was tasked with defending her Flying Five Stakes crown on day two of the Irish Champions Festival, but nothing went to plan for the evens favourite who finished midway down the field in fifth as Ken Condon’s Moss Tucker landed a surprise victory.
Slipping on exiting the stalls, Jason Hart’s mount was immediately on the back foot, and although she quickly made up ground and was still giving her all at the finish, was never able to land a telling blow in a race she won with supreme style 12 months prior.
It was a rare disappointment from the ultra-consistent six-year-old who has been a real force on the sprinting scene over the past two seasons and, although reported to be coughing and showing signs of being in season by the vet post-race, Quinn believes Highfield Princess’ troubles at the start played a key role in her bad day at the office.
“She was scoped afterwards and was absolutely fine so the coughing was just mud that was kicked back because she got behind early on so she was fine on that front,” explained Quinn.
“Missing the break did not help her. Jason said she lost her hind legs when she came out and with the first stride she took her hind legs went. She was on the back foot straight away and did well to finish where she did in the end. It’s just one of those things and these things can happen.”
She will now be given a thorough check by the team at Quinn’s Highfield Stables, with a run at ParisLongchamp on October 1 pencilled in for her next start.
Quinn added: “She’s fine this morning. We’ll have a good look at her and if she is OK we will run her in the Abbaye.”
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Highfield Princess has the chance to reassert her dominance on the sprinting division when she defends her Al Basti Equiworld, Dubai Flying Five Stakes title at the Curragh on Sunday.
John Quinn’s speedster brought up a phenomenal Group One hat-trick with an emphatic victory in this race 12 months ago and although continuing to be a major player in all the big-sprinting contests, has found success harder to come by this term.
A Group Two triumph at the Qatar Goodwood Festival is the six-year-old’s sole victory this campaign and having gone down fighting with placed efforts in two outings at Royal Ascot before that, again went out on her shield when runner-up to shock Nunthorpe scorer Live In The Dream at York.
She will once again come up against Archie Watson’s King’s Stand winner Bradsell who has become a regular foe this season and connections hope their star mare thrives once again on Irish soil.
Highfield Princess winning at the Curragh last year (Donall Farmer/PA)
“We’re looking forward to it and she’s come out of York well,” said Quinn.
“It’s a tough race and Bradsell is in it and Tim Easterby’s horse (Art Power) who is absolutely dynamite at the Curragh and then there’s a few others as well, but we’re happy with our filly.
“The Curragh suited her last year, so I hope it suits her again on Sunday. Everything has been fine since York and it’s great to have an animal like her. She wears it on her sleeve and we’re looking forward to Sunday.”
Bradsell was a place behind Highfield Princess when they met for a second time on the Knavesmire and his handler will hope to see the mount of Hollie Doyle fare better than when finishing down the field on his previous trip to the Curragh as a two-year-old when he picked up an injury.
Bradsell denying Highfield Princess in the King’s Stand Stakes at Royal Ascot (David Davies/PA)
However, one horse with no qualms about another venture to Ireland is Art Power who has an imperious record at the Curragh.
Four of the six-year-old’s eight victories have come at the Kildare track and having been in destructive form at the venue twice this term, now seeks to add an elusive Group One success to his CV.
“He seems to have a bit of a love affair with Ireland and seems to find a key couple of lengths over there,” said Alastair Donald, racing manager for owners King Power Racing.
“He has often been a length short in Group Ones over here and we’re looking forward to seeing him.”
ART POWER ready for Group 1 action this weekend back at his favourite racecourse @curraghracecourse! 💪 pic.twitter.com/EeQHOdpt2G
Donald went on: “He has won over five furlongs in Ireland before. He’s never been short of pace and it’s quite a stiff five up the hill there, so we’re not worried about the five.
“The ground should be fine and he has a good draw, but obviously Bradsell and Highfield Princess make it a very strong renewal.
“Without being rude to the others it looks to be between the three of them, and if he can show his previous Irish form, he has to be a live contender.”
Yann Barberot’s French raider Bouttemont adds an international flavour to the contest and is an intriguing spare ride for the in-form Dylan Browne McMonagle, while Charlie Hills’ Equality and Clive Cox’s Get Ahead – sixth and eighth in the Nunthorpe respectively – are other visitors from Britain.
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City Of Troy and Bucanero Fuerte will clash for the first time at the Curragh on Sunday in the Goffs Vincent O’Brien National Stakes.
Six have been declared and Aidan O’Brien will bid to return to the roll of honour for the first time in the Group One event since 2016 with his promising son of Justify, who made it two from two with real authority in the Superlative Stakes.
He is already the ante-post market leader for next year’s 2000 Guineas and Derby, but faces his toughest opponent to date in the form of Adrian Murray’s Bucanero Fuerte.
The Wootton Bassett colt already has a Group One victory to his name and connections are relishing a highly-anticipated head-to-head.
The Bucanero Fuerte team after winning the Phoenix Stakes (Brian Lawless/PA)
“The team at Adrian’s are delighted with him, Robson (Aguiar) rides him on a regular basis and is delighted with him. He hasn’t missed a beat since the Phoenix Stakes,” said Tom Pennington, racing and operations manager for owners Amo Racing.
“He’s run four times and has the experience and is battle-hardened. He’s always had a touch of class from day one, but he can be a streetfighter.
“I know it’s 10-1 bar the two, but it’s no match race and there are a couple of others to be wary of despite City Of Troy looking the one to beat.”
O’Brien has also left in his unbeaten Henry Longfellow.
It promises to be a big afternoon for the master of Ballydoyle who has leading chances across the card and sees the return of his staying star Kyprios in the Comer Group International Irish St Leger.
Kyprios returns from a long absence to defend his Irish St Leger crown (Donall Farmer/PA)
The five-year-old carried all before him on the long-distance scene last season before injury has seen him sidelined for most of the current campaign and he will face off against four rivals that include Eldar Eldarov.
O’Brien will also saddle the unbeaten Ylang Ylang in a field of nine for the Moyglare Stud Stakes.
Ante-post favourite for the next year’s 1000 Guineas, she gets her first shot at Group One glory with the pick of her opposition appearing Donnacha O’Brien’s Royal Ascot scorer Porta Fortuna and Willie McCreery’s Vespertilio.
Bradsell (left) and Highfield Princess (right) will meet again in the Al Basti Equiworld, Dubai Flying Five Stakes (John Walton/PA)
Highfield Princess is the headline act in the Al Basti Equiworld, Dubai Flying Five Stakes as John Quinn’s sprinting star faces nine rivals when defending her crown.
The six-year-old brought up a Group One hat-trick when a convincing winner of the race 12 months ago and although victories have been less common this term, she has continued to feature at the business end of all the major sprinting events.
She will go toe-to-toe once again with Royal Ascot conqueror Bradsell, with Archie Watson’s charge having three-quarters of a length to find from the duo’s most recent meeting in the Nunthorpe, while others of note include track specialist Art Power (Tim Easterby) and French raider Bouttemont (Yann Barberot).
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Highfield Princess is firmly on course to defend her crown the Flying Five Stakes in Ireland next weekend, having come close in her bid for back-to-back wins in the Nunthorpe at York.
John Quinn’s superstar sprinting mare completed a hat-trick of Group One wins last season, with her Nunthorpe and Flying Five victories following success in the Prix Maurice de Gheest at Deauville.
Having opened her account for the current campaign in dominant style at Goodwood, the six-year-old was a hot favourite to win her second Nunthorpe on the Knavesmire, but had to settle for the runner-up spot behind the front-running Live In The Dream.
A Group 1 hat trick in five weeks! 🎩
Highfield Princess wins the Flying Fives Stakes at @curraghrace
Highfield Princess produced arguably her most impressive performance to date in the Flying Five 12 months ago, and Quinn is looking forward to seeing her return to the Curragh on September 10 for day two of the Irish Champions Festival.
“She’s come out of York well, touch wood she seems fine,” said the Malton-based trainer.
“We’re just ticking her over and all being well we’ll head to Ireland a week on Sunday. There’s no reason to change the plan just because she got beaten.”
John Quinn at the Curragh last season (Donall Farmer/PA)
Following her Flying Five triumph last season Highfield Princess was saved for a trip to the Breeders’ Cup, where she performed admirably in defeat in finishing fourth.
But whether she returns to America this year is open to question, with Quinn eyeing an appearance on Arc weekend in Paris on October 1.
He added: “All being well, if she comes out of the Curragh well, we’d like to run her in the Abbaye and we’ll see from there.”
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John Quinn was making no excuses for Highfield Princess after the superstar mare had to make do with minor honours in her bid for back-to-back victories in the Coolmore Wootton Bassett Nunthorpe at York.
Success in the five-furlong contest was the middle leg of a Group One treble for the the six-year-old last summer, with her Knavesmire triumph sandwiched by two other top-level wins in the Prix Maurice de Gheest in France and the Flying Five in Ireland.
Having twice run well in defeat at Royal Ascot in June, Highfield Princess enjoyed a confidence-boosting win at Goodwood three weeks ago and hopes were high that she could successfully her crown – but in Live In The Dream she faced a rival who had failed to read to script.
With her regular partner Jason Hart in the saddle, Quinn’s ace looked to be perfectly positioned throughout as she tracked a fierce pace set by the Adam West-trained outsider.
But try as she might, Highfield Princess was unable to reel in the all-the-way winner, with a length separating them at the line.
“She ran a great race, well done to the winner – that’s racing,” Quinn said.
“The winner got away and well done to them. She’s run a fantastic race and she’s a horse of two lifetimes.
“As long as she’s all right we’ll go to the Curragh (Flying Five), that’s the plan.”
Three-quarters of a length behind Highfield Princess in third was her Royal Ascot conqueror Bradsell, who had been kept fresh by Archie Watson since that victory in the King’s Stand.
There is every chance the pair will lock horns again before the season is out.
Watson said: “Probably the draw has probably worked against us, because the winner has blazed a trail and stuck on really well and that has probably favoured Highfield Princess in our battle for second.
“Hollie (Doyle) was very happy when the two-year-old has gone quick on our side, Big Evs, but she’s had to tack across to try and latch on to the other two.
“He’s rUn a huge race and I would imagine the Flying Five and possibly the Abbaye, but we will see and the Flying Five will be next.”
On the possibility of encountering more testing conditions in France, the trainer added: “The Abbaye would probably be my less favoured race, I would prefer to go Ireland and then America (Breeders’ Cup), but we’ll see.
“Ground-wise, until he runs on it we don’t really know, but when I was at William Haggas’ we had Tasleet (SIRE) and he loved it heavy so until he runs in it and tells us he doesn’t like it we don’t know.”
https://www.geegeez.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/273447252-scaled.jpg12802560Geegeez Newshttps://www.geegeez.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/geegeez_banner_new_170x78.pngGeegeez News2023-08-25 15:30:172023-08-25 15:30:17Quinn proud of Highfield Princess in defeat
Defending champion Highfield Princess faces a stern examination as she attempts to join the list of repeat Coolmore Wootton Bassett Nunthorpe Stakes winners at York on Friday.
John Quinn’s stable star appears to be peaking at the right moment as she bids to replicate the brilliant performance she produced on the Knavesmire 12 months ago.
That victory came in the middle of a fantastic late-summer Group One hat-trick as she shot to the summit of the sprinting top-flight and having notched up a welcome first success of the campaign at Goodwood earlier this month, the Highfield Princess team are now ready to play their part in what is a fascinating renewal stacked with talent.
Highfield Princess claimed the title in last year’s Nunthorpe (Mike Egerton/PA)
Quinn said: “We’re happy with her, it’s lovely ground and we’re drawn six of 16, which is fine.
“It’s a spicy race. I think the horse that beat her at Ascot (Bradsell) commands plenty of respect, as does the two-year-old (Big Evs) and there’s a couple of other horses there who, if they bounce back to their best, would have a chance.”
Highfield Princess will have to turn the tables with Royal Ascot conquerors Bradsell and Khaadem, who had her measure in the King’s Stand and Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes respectively, to prove victorious.
When asked if he felt she will need to be better than she was 12 months ago to successfully defend her crown, Quinn added: “She might do. We’re taking on a two-year-old and a three-year-old, both Royal Ascot winners.
“When a three-year-old wins a King’s Stand you have to sit up and take notice and the two-year-old is a Royal Ascot winner and a Goodwood winner and looks really tough, hardy and mature, so they are two and something else could pop up who at their best could be in the mix.
“Goodwood was very good, so we’re hopeful anyway. She’s done so much and people expect plenty from her, but she seems in good nick and she loves this place, which is all you can ask.”
Bradsell beat Highfield Princess at Royal Ascot (David Davies/PA)
Archie Watson’s Bradsell has not been seen since downing Highfield Princess in the King’s Stand in June, but having proven he has the speed to be a force at the minimum distance, big-race pilot Hollie Doyle is hopeful of recording her first victory in the race following her second aboard The Platinum Queen 12 months ago.
She said ahead of the Qipco British Champions Series event: “Bradsell is a really good horse and has the heart of a lion. I thought it was a great performance back down to five furlongs in the King’s Stand at Royal Ascot. He beat a real sprinting star in Highfield Princess, and the pair of us were clear.
“We thought he might not have as much early speed as the Australian sprinters, but he showed more speed than ever before and really thrived down in trip. He’s our flagbearer at Archie’s and it’s great to be going to the Nunthorpe with a live chance again.”
Frankie Dettori will partner King’s Stand fourth Twilight Calls in his final Nunthorpe as Henry Candy’s five-year-old attempts to follow in the footsteps of his grandsire Kyllachy by winning this contest, while out of luck in that Ascot contest was Dramatised, who finished down the field.
Dramatised has not run since disappointing at Royal Ascot (Tim Goode/PA)
Connections felt the draw and conditions were completely against Karl Burke’s filly on that occasion and having dazzled at home in the interim, are excited to see where she places in the sprinting pecking order.
“It was a non-event at Ascot, we thought we were drawn on the wrong side,” said Joe Foley, racing manager for owners Clipper Logistics.
“Danny (Tudhope) came in and said he looked up two furlongs out and they were a long, long way behind. She was just on the wrong side and also the ground was quite dead on the first day of Ascot and she needs fast ground, hence we missed the King George at Goodwood.
“We’ve had a bit of a frustrating summer waiting for fast ground for her, but it looks like we’re going to get it Friday. She has been working very, very well, so it’ll be interesting to see where she stands with the proper Group One sprinters now that she is a mature three-year-old and is getting her ground.
“It will be interesting to watch and we’re looking forward to seeing her run.”
Big Evs (centre) is the only juvenile contender at York (Andrew Matthews/PA)
It cost £40,000 to supplement Big Evs into the line-up and now the Royal Ascot and Qatar Goodwood Festival scorer will not only try to hand trainer Mick Appleby a first Group One triumph, but become the first two-year-old winner since Kingsgate Native in 2007.
“It’s good to be going to the Nunthorpe with a horse with a live chance and hopefully he will run well,” said the handler.
“He’s come out of Goodwood really well and we’ve got a good draw as well between two of the favourites. All being well he will run a big race.
“He will be one of my best, he will be up there with all the good ones I’ve had – Danzeno, Caspian Prince and I’m not sure of a better two-year-old we’ve had.
“It would mean a lot to have a Group One winner. It’s what every trainer tries to get and not a lot of trainers ever actually do get one. So it would be nice if we could win one. Hopefully he runs really well and comes back safe and sound.”
Another handler who could enjoy their finest hour is Ed Bethell who gives his course-and-distance winner Regional a first taste of Group One action in search of a hat-trick.
Bethell said: “I’m really happy with him. I would have loved to have got a run into him, but the ground went against him and he wants fast ground. Hopefully it looks like he will get that this week.
“I’ve been really happy with in the interim period, we know he goes really well fresh and I’m looking forward to a big run.
“He’s got a good draw right in the middle which means we can go whichever way we want. We’re drawn next to Highfield Princess and Big Evs and near Bradsell, while Live In The Dream is not far away, so there is a lot of speed in and around us which can only benefit us.
“We’re really looking forward to it and it’s exciting.”
Khaadem was a shock Royal Ascot winner (John Walton/PA)
Charlie Hills knows all about Nunthorpe success having saddled the imperious Battaash to do the double in 2019 and 2020 and he now launches a two-pronged assault on the five-furlong shootout with shock Jubilee Stakes hero Khaadem and stablemate Equality.
“Khaadem is a horse that’s got form over five furlongs and was fourth in this last season,” said Hills.
“He’s been in very good form this year and if he can reproduce that he should be going close as well.”
He added: “Equality was just drawn a little bit out of it at Goodwood I thought, and he struck into himself as well.
“It’s going to be competitive, but if he runs like he did at Sandown, he’ll have a good chance of being close.”
Highfield Princess belatedly opened her account for the campaign with a runaway victory in the King George Qatar Stakes at Goodwood.
John Quinn’s superstar mare won three times at Group One level last term, landing the Prix Maurice de Gheest at Deauville, the Nunthorpe at York and the Flying Five at the Curragh.
She had to make do with minor honours in her first three outings of this season, but having placed in both the King’s Stand and the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot in June she was the 4-9 favourite to get back on the winning trail.
Those who took the cramped odds about the six-year-old will have had few concerns for the duration of the five-furlong contest, with Highfield Princess initially taking a lead Czech raider Ponntos before bursting to the lead.
👸 Highfield Princess 𝙨𝙩𝙤𝙧𝙢𝙨 home to win the King George Qatar Stakes
White Lavender came from out of the pack and just briefly threatened to make a race of it, but Highfield Princess found another gear in the last half-furlong under her regular partner Jason Hart and had three lengths in hand at the line.
Hart said: “She was her usual self, jumped well, travelled great and was much the best.
“The Czech horse gave me a lead and I was kind of hoping he would give me a lead a bit further. I had to commit a furlong and a half down and on that dead ground I thought it might blunt her turn of foot, but she has won well.
“It’s nice to get a win next to her name. She ran her heart out in those two races at Royal Ascot for her to bounce back and get her head back in front and win by a bit of distance, it was nice to see.
“I am very grateful to be associated with her. For my career, I was never a Group One winner until her, and for her to come along last year and win three Group Ones, it took my career to a new level.”
Highfield Princess (red silks) was too good for her Goodwood rivals (Andrew Matthews/PA)
Paddy Power make Highfield Princess their 2-1 favourite from 11-4 for the Nunthorpe on August 25 and Quinn is looking forward to seeing her defend her crown.
“She’s run another fantastic race. We decided we’d give her a break, which we did last year and we were pleased with her at home,” said the Malton-based trainer.
“She’s a top-class filly and we’re delighted to have her. As a two-year-old she was a backward filly but very likeable, she’s improved for racing and went from being a top-class handicapper into being probably the best sprinting filly in Europe, if not the world, last year.
“I was very keen for her to get her head in front, for herself. Today would have done her a lot of good.
“The plan is to go back for the Coolmore Nunthorpe, in our back yard. She really likes the Curragh, we’ll take it race by race, but the Nunthorpe is next and hopefully on to Ireland for the Flying Five. We’ll see after that.”
https://www.geegeez.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/273232537-scaled.jpg12802560Geegeez Newshttps://www.geegeez.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/geegeez_banner_new_170x78.pngGeegeez News2023-08-04 15:07:522023-08-04 15:35:07Highfield Princess hits the heights with smooth Goodwood success
John Quinn is confident ground conditions will not be a problem for his triple Group One-winning mare Highfield Princess when she bids to get back to winning ways in the King George Qatar Stakes at Goodwood on Friday.
Expertly handled by the North Yorkshire-based Quinn, she has had a fairytale career, rising through the grades from a 57-rated handicapper to win three top-class sprints last summer. She was also narrowly beaten at the Breeders’ Cup in Keeneland.
A half-length runner-up on her York reappearance, she was then turned out twice in four days at Royal Ascot, narrowly beaten in the King’s Stand and placed again in the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes.
She drops back a furlong now, with Quinn optimistic she can make the most of what appears a gilt-edged opportunity.
“We’re happy with her,” said the Malton-based trainer. “Who knows what the ground will be like on Friday, but the ground will be fine – she has won on soft ground before.
“She is in good form and we’re very hopeful. I’m not worried about the draw – it is other horses I worry about!
“You wouldn’t know where they’ll be racing come Friday, but straight line, she’ll be fine.”
Karl Burke saddles both Silky Wilkie, who was runner-up to the reopposing Nymphadora in York’s City Walls, and White Lavender, a short-neck runner-up in the Prix de l’Abbaye at ParisLongchamp in October.
Burke said: “It is a bit of a punt with Silky Wilkie. He has done nothing but surprise us and impress us all the way through his career, really.
Silky Wilkie keeps surprising Karl Burke (Steve Welsh/PA)
“We never expected him to get to these heights, but he deserves his chance now in these black type races.
“It is certainly a big step up for him, but he won’t mind the ground, he’ll like the track and with the ground being so soft, it might not suit some of the others. The draw in stall seven is good.”
White Lavender returned to France to take a Group Three in May, but was a little too keen on her last run in the Sapphire Stakes at the Curragh.
Burke added: “White Lavender is obviously a high-class sprinter and she’s proven herself in the Abbaye.
“She disappointed herself in Ireland, but she ended up making the running, which wasn’t the plan with her – she has to have a bit of cover and come late.
“Maybe I sent her to Ireland a bit too fresh and she took off with Chris Hayes, and she never finishes her races when she runs like that.
“You can put a line through that run. She seems in good form and she’ll love the ground.”
Charlie Hills has won this race five times in the last six seasons, four times with Battaash (2017-2020) and last season with Khaadem.
He saddles both the hat-trick-seeking Equality, who landed the Coral Charge at Sandown when last seen, and Equilateral, who was a decent fifth to Bradsell in the Group One King’s Stand at Royal Ascot on his last run.
Makarova was a length and a half behind Equality at Sandown and Ed Walker, whose string is in fine form, feels the four-year-old Acclamation filly has plenty to offer now that she is becoming accustomed to running over the minimum trip.
Makarova is getting to grips with sprinting (Simon Milham/PA)
He said: “I’m actually super-excited about this race – she is bouncing. Since dropping back to five (furlongs) she has improved. She is really learning to be a five-furlong sprinter now.
“Last time she really jumped and travelled, where in her previous couple of runs over five, she had slightly been outpaced.
“Prior to Sandown, I would have been a bit worried that this race might have had a bit too much early speed for her, but I think she showed at Sandown she’s got bags of boot.
“She won’t mind the ground at all, but drawn in four isn’t great. That won’t help. It is not ideal.”
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