Danoli’s owner

laid to rest

DANNY O’Neill, owner of Danoli, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, almost 30 years to the day after his horse won the SunAlliance Hurdle at Cheltenham. A bone-setter from Myshall in Co Carlow, O’Neill and trainer Tom Foley bought Danoli for just £7,000. The horse won 17 races including two Aintree Hurdles and an Irish Gold Cup.

Top sprinter Highfield

Princess retired

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 1 successes.

The bay has 14 victories on her CV, including the Prix de l’Abbaye, Flying Five, Nunthorpe and Prix Maurice de Gheest.

She was also second in the Nunthorpe and the King’s Stand by just a length apiece last season and amassed over £1.8 million in prize money throughout her career.

A statement from John and Sean Quinn on Tuesday 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 okay.”