Highfield Princess on course for Golden Pal showdown

Simon Milham
October 6, 2022 11:57 am

Big clash in prospect at Keeneland next month.

John Quinn is looking forward to seeing his stable’s flag-bearer Highfield Princess bid to crown her sensational campaign by claiming Breeders’ Cup glory at Keeneland next month.

The five-year-old mare, winner of her last three runs at Group One level, will bid to back up her latest impressive success in the Flying Five at the Curragh when she heads to the $1million Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint in Kentucky.

The John Fairley-owned daughter of Night Of Thunder started her remarkable winning spree on All-Weather Championships Finals Day at Newcastle in April, with her only reverse in five subsequent runs coming at Royal Ascot, where she was beaten less than two lengths in the Platinum Jubilee Stakes.

⭐️ Highfield Princess – a hat-trick of G1s for @johnquinnracing & @jasonhart13 with a brilliant performance in the @ABE_Dubai Flying Five @curraghrace @IrishChampsWknd #LICW22
🏆 G1 Flying Five Stakes🏆 G1 Nunthorpe Stakes🏆 G1 Prix Maurice De Gheest pic.twitter.com/JFniv09ynU
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) September 11, 2022

The decision to bypass last weekend’s Prix de l’Abbaye and instead head Stateside sets up a mouthwatering clash with American speedball Golden Pal, who is already a dual Breeders’ Cup winner having claimed last season’s Turf Sprint at Del Mar and the Juvenile Turf Sprint at Keeneland in 2020.

Wesley Ward’s charge is three from three on his home track, having also struck gold in last year’s Woodford Stakes and the Shakertown Stakes this spring.

Malton-based Quinn will no doubt have one eye on the four-year-old when he bids for back-to-back Woodford wins on Saturday, but could not be happier with own stable star.

“All being well, she goes to the Breeders’ Cup,” said Quinn.

“We are happy with her, so fingers crossed, that’s where we intend to go.”