Highfield Princess, trained in Yorkshire by John Quinn, won the fourth Group 1 race of her career when taking the Prix de l'Abbaye de Longchamp on Sunday.
Incredible performance! Highfield Princess is flat out most of the way but defies a nightmare draw to win the Group 1 Prix de l'Abbaye de Longchamp Longines for @jasonhart13 and John Quinn ?? pic.twitter.com/UWgZOCdgKL
— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) October 1, 2023
Normally very consistent, the mare ran a bit below expectations at the Curragh last time out but was found to be showing signs of being in-season after that race.
Handed a wide draw in Paris, which is considered a major disadvantage, Jason Hart's mount looked under pressure at halfway as George Boughey's Perdika skipped clear. However, Highfield Princess really started to motor in the closing stages and won a shad comfortably in the end.
Perdika clung for second, a nose in front of the Aidan O'Brien-trained Aesop's Fables.
Highfield Princess was bred in the Calvados region, at the Haras du Camp Benard, which is run by Fabienne Simoes de Almeida and her mother, Martine Van de Kerchove,
"She's run in everything that she’s had to run in," said Quinn. "I'm on cloud nine. I've had runners, over the years, who have ran well on this wonderful weekend, and have been narrowly beaten several times in this race. To win a Group 1 at this meeting is incredible. This mare is so brave. She's the best sprinter in the world! Her connections have had the courage to keep her in training. It was a really brave decision. The Breeders' Cup is a possibility. However, today’s race was her goal."
Trainer JOHN QUINN confirmed to Agentes 305 that, the amazing mare and fan favorite, HIGHFIELD PRINCESS, winner of the Prix de L’Abbaye will be in consideration to travel to @santaanitapark and take the challenge in the @BreedersCup Turf Sprint
He didn’t discard also the Hong… pic.twitter.com/MPofkbeyl8— Agentes305 (@agentes305) October 1, 2023
Sally Nicholls, owner-breeder of Perdika, commented: "Her performance took my breath away. She ran so well. We're almost surprised. Her future certainly lies at stud in 2024. A Group 1 placing changes everything regarding her broodmare profile. She loves France and so do we. Now we're going to crack open our piggy bank and send her to a good stallion."
Aidan O’Brien, trainer of Aesop’s Fables, said: "We're really pleased with the performance of Aesop's Fables. The colt ran really well against horses who had already proved themselves at this level. He's blossoming as a sprinter right now. I haven't yet decided where we will be going with him next. One thing's for sure, though: we'll be seeing a lot more of him over 1,000m in the future."
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