Highfield Princess claimed her third Group 1 victory in 35 days after a brilliant performance in the Al Basti Equiworld, Dubai Flying Five Stakes (G1) at the Curragh, one of two Breeders' Cup “Win and You're In” races Sunday on the second day of the Longines Irish Champions Weekend.
Ridden by Jason Hart, Highfield Princess won her second “Win and You're In” race this year in the $1-million Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint (G1) division. The 5-year-old mare previously won the Coolmore Wootton Bassett Nunthorpe Stakes (G1) Aug. 19 at York.
Breaking quickly before traveling strongly under jockey Jason Hart, Highfield Princess made her way to the stands' side rail a furlong out and, having been asked to settle matters, did so in a matter of strides. She pulled away to win by three-quarters of a length, with Erosandpsyche at 22-1 finishing second and Flotus at 18-1 coming home in third. However, this was a one-horse race almost from the moment the stalls opened.
“It's probably her best performance this year,” Hart said. “You don't usually get to take back a furlong and a half out in a five-furlong sprint.
“I was able to sit against her the whole race and when I gave her a squeeze, she picked up really well. She'd run through a brick wall for you and she's a credit to everyone.”
Highfield Princess' trainer, John Quinn, indicated it would be the Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint for the mare next. The race was won by another Yorkshire-trained mare in Glass Slippers in 2020.
“All she's done is improve and improve,” Quinn said. “She's phenomenal really. Not racing at two probably helped her and the rest is down to my wonderful staff at home and the filly herself. Her next run will be at the Breeders' Cup and that's the plan.”
A daughter of Night of Thunder out of the Danehill mare Pure Illusion, French-bred Highfield Princess completed the five furlongs in a time of 1:02:51 on a course rated as soft.
Highfield Princess, who has now won 12 races, began her Group 1 streak by taking the Arc Prix Maurice de Gheest at Deauville on Aug. 7. She is campaigned by The Trainers House Enterprises Limited.
Tahiyra Storms Clear Of Meditate To Claim Moyglare Stud Stakes
The Aga Khan's exciting Tahiyra stunned the unbeaten Meditate as she powered to victory in the Moyglare Stud Stakes (G1) and earned an automatic starting position into this year's Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf (G1).
A half sister to 2020 Longines Breeders' Cup Turf (G1) heroine Tarnawa, Tahiyra was given a very patient ride by Chris Hayes.
Ryan Moore went for home two furlongs out on even money favorite Meditate but the Dermot Weld-trained Galway maiden winner soon engaged top gear with a furlong to run.
Tahiyra, sent off at 3-1, produced an electric turn of foot, reeling in the leader in a matter of strides and sprinting 2 ¼-lengths clear, with 50-1 Eternal Silence 4 ½ lengths back in third.
“She did it very well and she's beaten a very high class, multiple group-winning filly,” trainer Dermot Weld said. “It was an excellent renewal of the race. I was afraid it might just come a little soon in her career, at Group 1 level, and I've always said what a beautiful filly she would be next spring. She learned a lot the first day, she did it well and enjoyed her race. She learned from it, and she's progressed. We've a lot to look forward to.
Weld suggested that the filly will not run again this year, with next year's European classics in her sights.
He added: “We'll discuss it, but that's it for this year. She's a half sister to Tarnawa, our champion filly. There is tremendous stamina in the pedigree, brilliance, and speed. We'll review it early next spring, but obviously one of the classic trials possibly and then one of the Guineas – Irish, English, or French. But that's a long way down the line.”
A daughter of Siyouni out of the Cape Cross mare Tarana, Tahiyra completed the seven-furlong contest in 1:29:16 over a soft course.
The Breeders' Cup Challenge Series is an international series of 82 stakes races whose winners receive automatic starting positions and fees paid into a corresponding race of the Breeders' Cup World Championships, which will be held at Keeneland Race Course in Lexington, Kentucky, on Nov. 4-5.
As part of the benefits of the Challenge Series, Breeders' Cup will pay the entry fees for both Highfield Princess and Tahiyra to start at Keeneland. Breeders' Cup will also provide a travel allowance of US$40,000 for all starters based outside of North America to compete in the World Championships. The Challenge winner must be nominated to the Breeders' Cup program by the Championships' pre-entry deadline of Oct. 24 to receive the rewards.
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