A notable rise to stardom for Highfield Princess became more extraordinary on September 11 during the Al Basti Equiworld Flying Five Stakes (G1), when the sensational mare beat her Curragh rivals to complete an unprecedented treble in the international group 1 in just five weeks.
Coach John Quinn hailed the 5-year-old star as “one of the best sprinters in the world” after his extraordinary improvisation became the first horse to win the Dubai-backed award in Sunday, Arc Prix Maurice de Gheest (G1), and Coolmore Wootton Bassett Nunthorpe Stakes (G1) in the same season.
Knocked out of the 5-4 favorites, Princess Highfield won’t provide her supporters with many moments of doubt through a quick and furious €400,000 race that goes with considerable enthusiasm at hand. regular racing Jason Hart.
This group of 19 runners 1 was done efficiently and finished right in the last leg as she powered home to complete 3 1/2 lengths of Erosandpsyche coached by Paddy Twomey, and Flotus representing Simon and Ed Crisford.
“She is an extraordinary phenomenon,” said Quinn, a native of Tipperary, who reveled in his first group 1 success at home.
“Someone told me the other day that she was probably the dirtiest person in Europe. I never said anything, like in the race you let the horse talk, but to win the war. Winning three groups of 1 in France, England and Ireland is incredible. In such a short time.”
Hart, who registered his first peak strike on the same mare at Deauville last month, believes the 12-time winner feels better than ever on the 30th day of the start of his career. Teacher.
“I know that walking into the last two hairpins she gives me some sort of feeling — it’s the best feeling she’s really given me all year,” says Hart.
“She’s downright. at the top of her game.”
Highfield Princess and Jason Hart after winning the Flying Five Stakes at Curragh
Owner John Fairely, host to the winning coach, is enjoying the journey of a lifetime with Thunder Night mare, who less than two years ago scored her first win with a 58 in a handicap worth just £5,593 at Ayr.
Victory on the Longines Irish Champion Weekend means the Highfield Princess has joined the likes of Dayjur, Black caviar , Blue point and Muhaarar is the winner of three consecutive group 1 sprints.
A tilt in the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint (G1T) is now on the agenda, and Hart is excited by the prospect of locking horns with the American Ace. Golden Pal . The September 11 victory in the Flying Five granted Highfield Princess an automatic berth into the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint (G1T) held the weekend of November 4-5 at Keeneland Racecourse.
He said: “It would be fun to attend the Golden Pal and see how we get there. She’s on the right track to do that. She’s really spectacular.”
Quinn added: “If she’s okay, that’s going to be the plan. In the spring she did a good job, and I told Sean (Quinn, assistant coach) that I’d love to see her come around. around Keeneland — two bends in five and half-furry pins might suit her. She’s not going to France for Abbaye. God almighty, she’s been everywhere.”
