Highfield Princess strikes Group One gold at Deauville

PA Sport Reporters
August 7, 2022 2:19 pm

John Quinn’s mare claims Prix Maurice de Gheest crown.

Highfield Princess ran out a game winner of the Prix Maurice de Gheest at Deauville to land the first Group One of her career.

John Quinn’s mare enjoyed a great campaign last season, with her first win coming off a mark of 83 before she scored at Royal Ascot in the Buckingham Palace Stakes.

She continued to progress and finished a respectable sixth at Ascot on Champions Day, but began this season attempting to get qualified for All-Weather Finals Day.

That has proved the springboard to her success as, having won at Newcastle against her own sex, she went on to land the 1895 Duke of York Stakes against the boys and was just over a length behind Naval Crown in the Platinum Jubilee last time out.

Massive win for a top mare! Highfield Princess lands the Group 1 ARC Prix Maurice de Gheest for @jasonhart13 and @johnquinnracing! @fgdeauville pic.twitter.com/LNW0qj1KMa
— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) August 7, 2022

Always handy under Jason Hart, she had her Ascot conqueror for company but a furlong out she put her stamina to good use and began to stretch away.

Owen Burrows’ Minzaal burst out of the pack to claim second with Charlie Hill’s Garrus just behind in third, but Richard Fahey’s Perfect Power was well beaten.

Hart told Equidia: “She’s a great filly and I’m delighted she’s gone to the next level. She started off as a handicapper and has progressed through the ranks. Every year she’s got a bit stronger.”